Programme Specialist

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative for Programme (ARRP), the Programme Specialist is responsible for the management of the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit; provides analyses on environmental and climate changes policies and on their social and economic impacts; leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio; and provides policy advice services.

The Programme Specialist also supervises and leads programme support staff, as well as coordinates activities of projects’ staff.

The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff, colleagues from other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society, ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the ARR(P), the Programme Specialist serves as advisor to Senior Management and a coordinator of a major programme portfolio in the CO of Brazil Programme. Responsibilities include leading the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit in strategic planning, identifying new projects and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities, coordinating/supervising staff and project personnel, leading policy advice and knowledge management, and monitoring of programme implementation to ensure consistency with CPD priorities. 

The Programme Specialist heads and supervises the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit and works in close collaboration with the Senior Management, other Units from Programme, Operations and other areas in the CO, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors and experts, external specialists, government officials and partners, donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Key Duties and Accountabilities:

• As a member of the Country Office management team, ensure the formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies within one or more thematic areas.
• Contribute thorough analysis of the political, social, environmental and economic situation in the country; and contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents.
• Ensure that programme strategy formulation considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals.
• Operationalize UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
• Collaborate with the establishment of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness of CO business processes. Oversee workflows and ensure cross collaboration in the Programme Unit.
• Review and sign-off on proposals at programme level.
• Analyze, present, and implement UNDP policies in the CO.
• Effectively manage the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit and supervise the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit team focusing on quality assurance and risk management of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation.
• Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions.
• Oversee projects implementation with the implementing partners.
• Provide strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit as well as tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
• Ensure the effective use of data in projects implementation, across the data lifecycle, and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on projects’ impact.
• Constantly monitor trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming; track achievement of strategic results, and effectively apply results-based management tools.
• Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses.
• Ensure aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes, including preparation of donor and corporate reports.
• Provide guidance and orientation to the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit team building a collaborative and trustful work environment, building capacity, promoting motivation to growth and creative thinking, managing performance and ensuring accountability.
• Establish and maintain strategic Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit partnerships and support resource mobilization efforts to achieve programme outcomes.
• Implement CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategies.
• Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector, and civil society in assigned programme/thematic areas.
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, and ensure due cost recovery.
• Lead development of the Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit pipeline and portfolio that includes designing Project documents, concept notes, proposals and cross-sectoral coordination to bring resources for projects.
• Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
• Identify and synthesize best practices, lessons learned, and policy-driven issues directly linked to Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit.
• Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high – impact advocacy with key partners.
• Coordinate and ensure integrated support in development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Organize and deliver training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
• Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  Supervision and performance management of Environmentally Sustainable Development Unit

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project management or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in relevant thematic areas; and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments.
• Solid knowledge and experience with environmental and climate change issues is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Programme and Project management will be considered an asset.
• Experience with indigenous and traditional populations is an asset.
• Work experience in the UN/UNDP, other international organizations, or similar entities will be an advantage.
• Experience with international environmental funds policies such as GEF and GCF and operations will be an advantage.
• Ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, civil society and academia) is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Portuguese is required.
• Knowledge of Spanish is desirable.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/24807