Programme Associate

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.

UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub is UNDP`s hub for the Europe and CIS region tasked with the responsibility to provide policy and programmatic support to UNDP´s development activities in the region. Throughout UNDP´s focus areas, it works towards increasing the impact of UNDP´s activities in the region by assisting Country Offices in developing of country-level initiatives through advisory services and technical support and by implementing regional and global level programmed and projects in partnership with a wide range of partners. Under the direct leadership of the Hub Manager, the RBEC’s Regional Hub employs a multi-disciplinary team of specialists and advisors, project managers, operations and programme support staff.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator and RBM Specialist, the Programme Associate provides programme and administrative services in support of the IRH programme responsibilities, deliverables, and operations. This includes programme support in data, financial management, project/programme design, planning, implementation, reporting, and information management. The Programme Associate promotes a client-oriented approach, in the framework of UNDP policies, rules and regulations.

In close collaboration with policy, programme, operations and project teams in the Regional Hub, COs, and HQs, the Programme Associate identifies and helps resolve bottlenecks, clarifies and interprets procedures, and escalates complex programme and administrative issues as needed.

1) Support for the formulation and implementation of regional programmes and projects:

• Supports preparation of background information for programme/project formulation, in preparation of project documentation, work plans, budgets and implementation arrangements in line with the UNDP POPP, internal control frameworks and standard operating procedures.
• Assists in drafting project proposals, pre-appraisal and LPAC minutes.
• Supports organization of project reviews (e.g. Pre-PAC, LPAC) and ensures implementation of effective internal controls on project approval processes.
• Creating proposals and managing projects in ATLAS.
• Supports in all stages of the project cycle, its compliance with the POPP and internal control frameworks.

2) Supports assigned teams and projects in quality assurance processes:

• Advises teams and projects on timely planning and reporting exercise and supports maintenance of corporate and internal planning and reporting systems for effective and efficient project monitoring.
• Supports corporate and regional processes and consolidates various inputs to ensure quality submission of various documents.
• Monitors the maintenance of project data in various platforms; ensures compliance with IATI.
• Supports maintaining and monitoring of the Atlas project management module and related tools.
• Provides support to monitoring and evaluation activities, as required.
• Supports implementation of audit/evaluation recommendations, as required.
• Supports management of selected rosters of vetted experts and ensures the assigned rosters are updated and maintained.

3) Provides programme support services to the assigned regional teams and assists in implementation of programme portfolio:

• Assists in preparation of various presentations and background information on various programme related matters.
• Coordinates and contributes to the development of briefing materials and reports.
• Organizes and prepares agendas and minutes of various meetings and tracks follow-up actions;
• Provides administrative and logistical support for regional events, workshops, trainings, conferences, retreats and any other special events organized by the team/IRH;
• Provides inputs into the unit’s administrative business processes mapping and implementation of the internal standard operating procedures (SOPs);
• Backstops procurement processes, including preparation of CAP and ACP submissions;
• Backstops other Programme Associates on programme management during their absences and mission travel; and
• Facilitates implementation of programme/project related activities, procures expertise and equipment.
• Assists in organization of internal meetings, drafts minutes as required.
• Drafts correspondence and assists in preparation of reports on programme finance.
• Assists in procurement and contracting processes, compiles contract documentation and prepares documents for the HR unit as well as for the Contracts, Assets and Procurement Panel (CAP) meetings
• Assists in ad-hoc programme and operational issues and provides information within UNDP.
• Provides COA authorizations; creates requisitions; receipts; implements budget and project revisions; and project status; determination of unutilized funds, maintaining the internal expenditures control system;
• Ensures tracking, monitoring and reporting on the use of programme financial resources;
• Generates various reports and information on routine implementation of projects and programme/project status;
• Reviews, verifies and reconciles financial data and reports to ensure accuracy and conformity with UNDP financial and administrative rules and regulations; and
• Prepares information for the audit of projects and follow-up/support to the implementation of audit recommendations;
• Identifies and escalates project related issues, proposing and contributing to the development of solutions
• Ensures proper filing of documents that must be retained in support of corporate policies.

4) Promotes knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the relevant area:

• Identifies best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme and project management
• Participates in trainings for the operations/ projects staff on various programme/project related issues
• Trains programme/project related staff on project management issues, including ATLAS and other tools
• Supports administration of programme related networks and provides support as needed
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

Organizational skills

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

Office Administration

• Ability to manage day-to-day office activities (including but not limited to travel management, facilities and asset management, policy and procedures maintenance) to meet operational needs;

Reviewing and reporting

• Ability to review and edit documents, ability to produce meeting report identifying key actions;

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.

Secondary

Financial Reporting and Analysis

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

Partnerships/Relationship Management

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships;

Knowledge Management

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Education:

• Secondary education

• University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political or Social Science would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Secondary education with 6 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level.
• Previous experience in the UN system is considered an asset.
• Previous experience inn UNDP would be desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English both oral and written, and Turkish is a requirement;
• Working knowledge of other UN official language is an asset.

Other:

• Proficiency in IT software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems is required.

Important applicant information

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

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.

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