UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
In 2017, the European Union and the United Nations established the Spotlight Initiative aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls. The Spotlight Initiative follows a transformative and evidence-based approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment. In line with the principles of Agenda 2030, this approach takes a human rights-based approach and considers the specific needs of women and girls who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in order to uphold the principle of “leaving no one behind”. To manage this Initiative, the European Union and the United Nations established a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) with a dedicated governance structure. Within the MPTF Secretariat, The Senior Fund Manager leads the Management Unit of the Spotlight Initiative Secretariat.
The Spotlight Initiative Secretariat, composed of a Management Unit and a Technical Unit, supports the Operational Steering Committee of the Fund with strategic advice, coordinating the Fund’s operations and programming.
The Management Unit is staffed with further experts in fund portfolio management. The Management Unit provides strategic, operational and administrative support to the Operational Steering Committee and is responsible for the coordination and day-to-day management of the Fund ad well as managing the portfolio of the fund. The Unit codifies the Fund’s policies and rules of procedure into an Operational Manual. The Unit also provides strategic advice and quality control over the fund operations and coordinates its governance meetings. The Management Unit facilitates collaboration and communication on Fund operations between the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, Recipient UN Organizations, and Resident Coordinators.
The Management Unit is responsible for reporting progress of funded projects through periodic progress updates (which includes consolidated narrative reports) received from Recipient UN Organizations and presenting an overview of the progress to Spotlight Initiative Governing Body and Operational Steering Committee. It is also responsible to ensure portfolio level quality assurance, in particular to ensure compliance with decisions of the Operational Steering Committee. This entails quality assurance and compliance with the fund guidance, such as the Operations Manual and other guidelines, in particular in the area of and budget compliance and quality control for the whole Spotlight Portfolio.
The MPTFO is upgrading the Gateway 2.0 into a new generation Fund Management Platform (FMP) to allow a more sophisticated and accountable management of the funds and joint programmes under its umbrella. It is expected that the Management Unit will engage in extensive exercise to populate the FMP and to provide inputs to its finalization. Extensive work will also need to be done to link existing Spotlight Initiative data and financial information analysis systems to the new FMP and engaging Recipient UN Organizations in the process.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Coordination Specialist, the Data and Budget Analyst’s responsibilities include the following main functions:
Coordinate Fund Management Platform (FMP) system engagement of Spotlight:
In very close collaboration with the MPTF office provide:
Lead the overall engagement of Spotlight with the FMP for an effective integration of the Fund into the platform.
Support to the finalization of the FMP architecture and functionalities with regards to modules relevant to the Spotlight Initiative fund management.
Present the information, data and analysis needs of the Spotlight Initiative following it’s guiding principles and commitments to certain goals.
Identify gaps in functionality needs and conceptualize and propose options for add-on functionalities, including for data visualization, to the MPTF FMP and other existing Spotlight Initiative platforms and processes.
Coordinate closely with the Spotlight Secretariat teams responsible for monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, communications and contractual/governance compliance to ensure adequate support of those areas, including synergies and avoiding duplications related to FMP decisions and set up.
Facilitate liaison with Recipient UN Organizations to propose and negotiate necessary data and information inputs to adequately feed the FMP to meet Spotlight needs.
Develop and execute a structured strategy for the initial backlog populating of the FMP and any other related platform and processes.
Develop and execute an internal Spotlight Initiative protocol for populating, update uploading, maintaining and ensuring quality control of the FMP and any other related platform and processes.
Consult as needed with Programme level colleagues (country and regional level) to ensure feasibility of processes related to the population, maintenance and update of the FMP and any other related platforms or processes, proposing a piloting strategy if relevant.
Develop and roll out any training modules or briefing packages necessary to ensure capacities and information of Spotlight Secretariat team, related Recipient UN Organization teams (at HQ and programme level), the EOSG and any other relevant stakeholders.
Lead the Management Unit’s budget oversight, quality assurance and compliance support:
Coordinate the Management Unit for programme budget and AWP guidance, quality assurance and compliance support.
Support the establishment of a reporting and tracking system to monitor Spotlight Programme compliance with engagements made in terms of CSO financing and SRHR spending. Propose on any opportunities for linkages to the FMP.
Liaise with Recipient UN Organizations to collect necessary data and information inputs to adequately report on CSO financing and SRHR spending.
Support the systematic monitoring of cash flow management and planning needs, including through the FMP to anticipate cash shortages within programmes.
Review programme budgeting, annual work planning and related processes including budget revisions, guidance and compliance, including direct country support as needed.
Provide support as needed to Spotlight budgeting processes related to Phase II of programming and any further phases.
Suggest and develop adequate data visualization to support and showcase financial and budgetary analysis of the Spotlight Initiative programme portfolio including in linking with the FMP: use the most appropriate visual elements (graphs, charts, maps etc.) to provide a graphical representation of information that facilitates understanding of the status and data patterns, trends and outliers.
Contribute to Fund operations and management support:
Substantively contribute to the servicing of the Coordination and Governance mechanisms of the Spotlight Initiative by developing briefs and information notes on related areas of work to
Support the update of the Fund operational arrangements and rules of procedures related to the respective area of work (Operations Manual and other guiding documents);
Provide overall support to the functions of the Management Unit of the Spotlight Secretariat as needed.
Competencies
Core
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions
Technical/Functional
Primary
Results-Based Programme Development and Management
Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration; Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation; Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals; Participates in the formulation of project proposals. Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Teamwork
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Planning& Organizing
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Accountability
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Client Orientation
Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Required Skills and Experience
Education
Master’s degree in international development, economics, social studies, business studies or other related fields.
Experience
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in international development issues, preferably in a field office.
Experience in designing/managing large projects/programmes or funds with complex multi-stakeholder setups, including their related Results Based Management frameworks.
Experience in implementing projects originating from pooled funding mechanisms is an advantage.
Experience in working in a country office of a participating agency is necessary.
Experience in gender initiatives demonstrating an understanding of key concepts and the stakeholders engaged in the field of ending violence against women and girls and/or related policy matters would be an advantage.
Direct experience with online data management platforms such as Results Management Systems or Grant Management Systems with back-end development experience being an advantage.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.
Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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