About the Organization
The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDF''s vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.
As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, United Nations Organizations, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders.
UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including:
SME Finance
Sub-National Finance
Digital Finance
UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.
The Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) is UNCDF’s center of excellence for programme design, quality and Results-Based Management. The unit provides upstream guidance on Theories of Change, results frameworks, and implementation arrangements ensuring all new designs meet corporate standards. PMSU reviews project documents, programmatic instruments, AWPs, project and donor reports, and ensures that RBM tools and RRF/IRRM data are complete, coherent, and aligned with corporate policies.
The Programme Management Support Specialist is responsible for providing guidance and support on the quality of the design and implementation of programmes and projects across the organization including ensuring consistent results-based management, results measurement, project governance, project implementation planning and coordination, and providing guidance on project design, approval, implementation, and monitoring of results and reporting requirements.
Key Responsibilities
The Programme Management Support Specialist reports directly to the Head of the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU). S/he works closely with other units within the Operations and Oversight Division under the overall guidance of the Chief Operations Officer (COO), as well as with team members in the Investment and Implementation Division, Investment and Finance Oversight Division, and other UNCDF units.
Provide strategic, specialized and high-level organization-wide programme and project management advisory support
Provide authoritative technical advice and strategic guidance on programme/project design, planning, budgeting, governance, and monitoring frameworks, including for complex or organization-wide matters, ensuring alignment with UNCDF/UNDP policies and procedures.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of corporate systems and approaches for results-based management, programme quality assurance and compliance, and provide specialised programme management inputs to relevant internal-control processes.
Provide strategic and specialised advisory support to senior managers and project teams on the interpretation and application of corporate programme management standards and quality assurance requirements throughout the project cycle.
Analyse organization-wide and portfolio-level performance-evidence and advise management on strategic programming priorities, emerging implementation issues and corrective actions.
Ensure Monitoring, Reporting, and Quality Assurance
Lead performance monitoring, reviews, and reporting for projects and programmes.
Provide portfolio-level analysis through aggregate reports, corporate and donor reporting and management dashboards, identifying systemic performance issues and recommending appropriate corrective and remedial actions.
Maintain project management reporting systems (ERP and related tools).
Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures for programme management.
Strategic Planning, Audit, and Risk Management
Provide strategic coordination and specialised programme management advice for corporate planning, reporting, audit, evaluation, and risk management processes.
Advise on results-oriented reports, briefing documents, and publications.
Contribute to the implementation and monitoring of the Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF) and Integrated Work Plan (IWP).
Support assurance/audit plans and implementation of audit recommendations.
Capacity Development and Collaboration and knowledge management
Provide strategic advisory support to regional and country teams in developing implementation and governance arrangements for large, complex or multi-country programmes and projects.
Lead the review and development of corporate programme and project management guidance, standards and procedure, informed by implementation experience, evidence and lessons learned.
Provide on-the-job demand-based capacity development support to region and country level staff in programme/project management as needed.
Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Required Qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, International Affairs/Development, Business Administration, Public Administration or related fields 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
Minimum 7 years (Master’s) or 9 years (Bachelor’s) of relevant professional experience in results-based management, programme and project design, strategic planning, and programme management, including experience in quality assurance, oversight, and compliance within the UN or comparable international organizations.
Required skills
Proven experience across the full project management cycle, including managing for results (results-based management).
Working experience with Oracle Cloud ERP (or comparable enterprise resource planning systems).
Experience applying programme and project management policies, procedures, and tools in multilateral organizations.
Experience in IT, including work with business intelligence and data visualization tools.
Desired skills:
Experience in UNCDF and/or UNDP programme and project management policies, procedures, and tools.
Experience in the application of UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP).
Demonstrated experience in development issues, particularly in local development finance, blended finance, poverty alleviation, women’s economic empowerment, and local development.
Strong working experience in international development and donor organizations.
Experience applying analytical approaches to strengthen programme quality, coherence, or performance.
Experience in resource and financial management within international multilateral organizational contexts.
Language(s):
Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.