Project Management Specialist at UNDP

Job description

Background

The Joint UNDP-UN Environment Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals (PEA) programme is a global programme for the four-year period 2018–2022. Poverty-Environment Action builds on the deep experience of the UNDP–UN Environment Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI). Over the past decade, PEI has pioneered integrated approaches to mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages in national development planning and implementation processes—first in support of national efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and now as a model for implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By building on PEI’s legacy, PEA is uniquely placed to ensure that the environmental dimension is not left behind when addressing poverty. Leveraging broader 2030 Agenda and SDG implementation processes provides new entry points not only to mainstream environmental sustainability and related climate concerns for poverty eradication, but also to gradually shift government priorities and resource allocation towards addressing these issues. Further, it provides opportunities to improve the quality of private sector investments to support poverty-environment objectives. This represents the new focus of PEA —aligning finance and investment with poverty, environment and climate objectives to accelerate SDG implementation.

PEA assists government decision-makers and a wide range of other stakeholders seeking to manage the environment in a way that improves livelihoods and leads to investments in sustainable growth that ensures economic growth and poverty reduction initiatives are not at the expense of the environment, with an overall aim to bring about lasting institutional change and to increase investment in pro-poor environmental and natural resource management.

UNDP serves as the Managing Agent for the PEA project administration under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP PEA Project Manager/Director of UNDP Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED), and in collaboration with UNDP HQ BPPS/ROM, BMS (as needed) and GC-RED (Nairobi) operations staff. The Project Management Specialist is responsible for performing activities related to administration of the overall joint project, the country outputs through delegated authority, overall financial planning, budgeting and management, project management inputs (IATI), timely and effective control of PEA financial reporting (UNDP, Donor and UNEX related), general oversight and ensuring compliance with UNDP Internal Control Framework(s), financial rules, regulations, policies, procedures and IPSAS. The Project Management Specialist will also contribute to the development of project guidance on UNDP policies, rules, procedures, systems and tools related to Delegated Authority and its implementation to ensure efficiency and efficacy in financial management and operations and inform project implementation, based on lessons learnt and good practices.

Summary Of Key Functions

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures sound strategic management of financial, human resources and procurement operations in compliance with UNDP Rules and Regulations as well as managing specific donor requirements
• Delivers effective programmatic implementation and conducts quality assurance activities;
• Provides effective operational oversight and implements oversight activities;
• Facilitates knowledge building and management.

Requirements

• Ensure sound strategic management of financial, human resources, and procurement operations in compliance with UNDP Rules and Regulations as well as managing specific donor requirements including
• Ensures adherence to UNDP policies and procedures, POPP, IPSAS, Internal Control Frameworks, SOPs and other corporate guidance on project management.
• Develops administrative procedures, guidelines, formats, checklist for implementation of project management and trainings for the application of delegated authority with selected country outputs and Technical Assistance initiatives administered under the joint project;
• Constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment, timely readjustment of the operations, and proactively highlight issues to the PEA Project
• Manager and provide advice and risk assessments and mitigation efforts
• Analyze and monitor PEA financial resource status (in ATLAS and through UNEX) and keep management informed for timely actions and decisions to ensure optimum utilization of PEA resources.
• Delivers effective programmatic implementation and conducts quality assurance activities including:
• Ensures that governance processes and procedures for the project are correctly followed and that governance activities such as Project Board meetings are organized regularly according to an established calendar, and that the project ensures a timely and adequate follow-up on the recommendations coming from different governance bodies;
• Review all operational plans (procurement, HR etc.) and all related PEA project workplan proposals, budget revisions and cash allocation submissions to allocate donor funds within restrictions and requirements;
• Oversees management and filing of project documentation, ensure that UNDP corporate systems (including ATLAS and IATI) are kept update and that relevant documents are accessible through open.UNDP.org.
• Provide advise and guidance to CO teams as needed, working closely and supervising the PEA Project Finance Analyst.
• Provides Effective Operational Oversight And Implements Oversight Activities Including
• Follow up on adherence issues for issued guidelines to ensure required actions are taken within established timelines and that recording errors or reversals are identified and communicated to the relevant office for appropriate adjustments to be made.
• Preparation and/or quality assurance for timely and accurate contribution sharing arrangements, annual and final project financial reporting to joint project donors.
• Monitor all over expenditures at a project level and ensure proper adjustments are made to improve and ensure project delivery.
• Follow up and/or take prompt action to respond to audit and other findings including recommending improvements in policies, procedures and practices, as required.
• Work closely with PEA M&E/KM Officer to support implementation of findings (evaluation, audit, etc.) as necessary.
• Facilitates Knowledge Building And Management Including
• Contribute to project staff capacity development through dissemination of knowledge and contributing to webinars, training events/activities, etc. where possible.
• Build capacity and knowledge in PEA by developing tools and resources needed to ensure proper financial management and allow donor reports to be prepared on a timely basis.
• Design and/or introduce, learning tools, best practices and innovations in financial business operational practices and project management.
• Capture, synthesize, codify, and disseminate lessons learned and best practices on joint programming and global projects from PEA.
• Working closely with GC-RED staff, coordinate PEA lessons learnt and PEA inputs to the relevant activities of GC-RED for various UNDP corporate platforms as part of the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan implementation.

Impact Of Results

The key results of the PEA Project Management Specialist have a profound impact on successful implementation of the joint project. Effective assurance and oversight activities impact the efficiency, transparency and costs of implementation of the joint project. Quality of assurance and oversight influence the confidence of donors in UNDP and impact UNDP´s resources mobilization perspectives. The transparency and efficiency of oversight and assurance impact the trust in UNDP and the success of the joint project.

Competencies

• Leadership: bility 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 while exercising good judgement.

UNDP Knowledge

• Technical/Functional: Strong knowledge of UNDP POPP rules and regulations and IPSAS with demonstrated ATLAS mastery.
• Project Management: Proficiency and expertise in preparation of financial reports, financial/budget planning and general UNDP project management principles (including results-based budgeting).
• Operational Effectiveness: Experience in managing complex and multi-country projects, with a preference for joint/multi-agency UN project implementation experience.
• Strategic Skills: Conceptual/strategic skills and success in implementing financial re-engineering, management systems development, and innovation;

Education

Required Skills and Experience

Master's degree in social policy, public policy, politics, economics, development studies or a related area.

Experience

• At least 5 years of extensive and progressively responsible experience in project management within UNDP; at least 3 years providing strategic planning, financial and/or advisory level services.
• Substantial experience in the application of complex financial ERP systems and modules (PeopleSoft/ATLAS) required.
• Solid knowledge/qualifications and experience with IPSAS
• Proficiency with EU PAGoDA regulations and implementation and reporting for EU funds a strong asset.
• Experience in managing complex and multi-country projects, with a preference for joint/multi-agency UN project implementation experience.
• Strong knowledge of UNDP POPP rules and regulations and IPSAS with demonstrated ATLAS mastery.
• Proficiency and expertise in preparation of financial reports, financial/budget planning and general UNDP project management principles (including results-based budgeting).
• Conceptual/strategic skills and success in implementing financial re-engineering, management systems development, and innovation;
• Advanced knowledge of Excel spreadsheet and database packages.

Language Requirements

• Proficiency in English.
• Working knowledge of other UN language, specifically French, desirable