Programme Associate Deployment, New York, United States 160 views

Background

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau (CB) guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. The Bureau has the responsibility for support to prevention, crisis response, resilience and recovery work under the auspices of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. On the other hand, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. As part of the Global Policy Network (GPN), the Crisis Bureau works in an integrated manner with UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) ensuring that issues are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes.

In this context and to prepare for, respond to, and support recovery from major crises, UNDP Country Offices (COs) have often to meet multiple demands and pressures in addition to their usual workload. Under these circumstances, COs often have a critical need for additional capacity to help them meet these demands and facilitate essential roles in these areas. The Crisis Bureau has through the Country Support Management Team (CSMT) Deployments Team, several deployable capacities that can be drawn upon, including SURGE Advisors, and external experts from the GPN/ExpRes roster and Stand-by Partners. UNDP periodically commissions reviews of its SURGE support and deployments mechanism to ensure systems remain up to date and new technology and ideas are brought on board.

SURGE Advisors are UNDP staff with extensive crisis experience in at least one of 18 generic UNDP profiles who are deployed to fill capacity gaps within CO units facing unexpected workload/portfolio requirements due to a crisis. Duration of SURGE assignments usually range from 1 week to 3 months.

The GPN/ExpRes Roster is a recruitment and deployment mechanism which maintains pre-vetted consultants on a roster and contracts them quickly for country office support. The primary purpose of this roster is to deploy technical experts to UNDP Country Offices and units on short notice.

UNDP over the years has also entered into a number of third-party agreements with bilateral organizations, including the Norwegian and Danish Refugee Councils, Canada’s Civilian Reserve, and the Swedish Rescue Committee to provide support to COs or United Nations Country Teams in areas where UNDP does not have in-house expertise available, such as logistics and camp management. These Stand-by Partners provide experts to UNDP for post crisis assignments.

The Deployments Team is also responsible for managing deployment infrastructure and this includes expert databases, deployment tracking systems (DTS), automated communication tools, trainings and communications materials. The DTS is a live deployment tracking tool that allows CRU to monitor, track, evaluate and collate information on deployments across rosters.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist (Deployments), the Programme Associate will be responsible for the effective and efficient functioning of CB’s Deployment mechanisms, support region specific deployments and maintain the various rosters in coordination with the UNDPs Bureau’s, Country Offices and Regional Hubs in support of the selection, recruitment, deployment and support of field personnel. The Programme Analyst will also support the Consolidation of UNDP Rosters and the subsequent functioning of the GPN/ExpRes Deployment mechanism.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Conduct deployment of experts from the Crisis Bureau and GPN Rosters to country offices and UNDP Units globally;
• Provide technical support for the development/enhancements of deployment business process, guidelines and data management;
• Support the Consolidation of UNDP Roster under the umbrella of GPN/ExpRes;
• Support the operational and coordination processes for the Deployments Team.

Conduct deployment of experts from the Crisis Bureau and GPN Rosters to country offices and UNDP Units globally.

• Provide support for the deployment of experts from CB/GPN Rosters to COs globally;
• Conduct searches in deployment databases, shortlist and submit candidates for various positions in a timely and efficient manner;
• Attend CSMT and other crisis response meetings to provide updates on deployments;
• Liaise with technical counterparts in UNDP with regard to identifying experts for deployments;
• Provide support to experts and country offices during deployments including travel, logistics, and provide troubleshooting as required;
• Ensure that Country Offices provide evaluations of assignments and these evaluations are institutionalized.

Provide technical support for the development/enhancements of deployment business process, guidelines and data management.

• Provide reports on deployments when required and ensure that weekly updates of deployments go to all concerned parties;
• Follow up to ensure that pre and post mission briefings are generated and conducted by colleagues responsible for their respective regions;
• Follow up to ensure that back to office reports are generated and completed by relevant colleagues upon completion of assignment;
• Ensure that the DTS captures all relevant data with regard to deployments such as contracts, ToRs, back to office reports, evaluations, mission briefings etc.;
• Collaborate with ICT colleagues to troubleshoot any issues related to ‘SharePoint’ applications pertaining to the deployment mechanism;
• Support the deployments team in ensuring that deployment business processes are shared with and adhered to by all parts of UNDP.

Support the Consolidation of UNDP Roster under the umbrella of GPN/ExpRes.

• Support the consolidation of new rosters and profiles being added to the GPN/ExpRes Roster;
• Ensure that any update in UNDPs’ taxonomy for technical roles is adopted into the profiles and sub-profiles of the GPN/ExpRes ‘ONE’ Roster;
• Support the training of relevant UNDP staff in the usage of the GPN/ExpRes ‘ONE’ Platform;
• Support recruitment drives pertaining to the addition of new expertise to the ‘ONE’ Platform;
• Oversee the vetting of new expertise onto the ‘ONE’ Roster;
• Draft and share regular updates on the progress of Phases 2 and 3 of the Consolidation of Rosters.

Support the operational and coordination processes for the Deployments Team.

• Support CB Operations with procurement, human resources and finance issues related to deployments;
• Assist in liaising with consultants and UNDP recruiting units in negotiating and drafting contracts;
• Support the Programme Specialist in drafting and implementing policies for fast track recruitment of staff for crisis response and recovery;
• Support the Programme Specialist in the processes related to the transition of consultancies from the procurement unit to Human Resources;

• Tags

  camp management

  collective action

  data management

  financial reporting

  human resources

  international relations

  knowledge management

  logistics

  procurement

  programme management

  project management

  results based management

  sustainable development

  sustainable development goals

  trainings

• Work with the regional teams and support the planning and preparation of Crisis Board meetings. Assist as necessary with preparation of meeting minutes and uploading of the decisions and action points;
• Assist in the tracking and reporting on the annual work plan and budget.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

• Ability to get things done

Technical/Functional

Primary

Procurement

• The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.

Financial Planning and Budgeting

• Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals.

Organizational Skills

• Demonstrated capacities to perform multiple taks, in multi-cultural environment and dealt with confidential matters.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Programme management skills and communication skills.

Research

• Knowledge of analytical tools and methods for undertaking substantive research on various policy related issues

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner.

Secondary

Knowledge Management

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Quality Assurance

• Ability to perform administrative and procedural
• activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled

Results-based Management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education with specialized certification in project management support.
• University Degree in Economics, International Relations, International Development, Politics or similar also desirable.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in roster management, deployment mechanisms, human resources, logistics and/or operations at the national or international level is required.
• Experience in crisis contexts or humanitarian affairs desirable
• 4 years of relevant experience would suffice if in possession of a bachelor’s degree;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages required. Knowledge and application of Applications Tracking Software desirable
• Knowledge of UN and UNDP systems and procedures;
• Project management, good IT skills and human resources experience is also an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required;
• Working knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

Other:

• Selection to GS Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) positions at Headquarter locations requires passing a UN administered Global General Service Test (GGST), unless conditions are met allowing the waiver of such a requirement.
• For GS positions in New York and D.C, the UN GGST test will be waived for current UNDP staff members on FTA/PA appointments and external applicants who have a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized educational institution.

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

Externally advertised GS fixed-term appointment and temporary appointment (TA) positions located in New York/Washington D.C. are open to candidates who are either US Permanent Residents, US Citizens or holders of a valid G4 visa at the time of their application and whose G4 visa has been acquired on account of their employment in the UN Systems based in New York or Washington, DC.

Selected candidates who meet the above mentioned eligibility criteria are responsible for their own travel and/or relocation costs.

Selection to GS fixed-term appointment positions at Headquarters requires passing a UN administered clerical test (ASAT). External applicants to General Service (GS) positions in New York who already possess a Bachelor’s degree or an accredited certification in a technical field (e.g. IT, Finance, or Procurement) will not need to obtain/pass the UN Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT). However, passing specialized tests (e.g. Finance and Accounting technical assessments) may still be required for some General Service (GS) positions, as specified in the vacancy announcement.

Applicants under serious consideration for short-listing of posts requiring accountancy and finance skills, must take the UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (UNDP AFT) prior to short-listing.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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