Programme Portfolio Associate

Job Title: Programme Portfolio Associate

Type of Contract: National Personnel Service Agreement  

Duty Station: East Jerusalem

Duration of Contract: 12 months with the possibility to extend based on fund availability and performance. 

Closing Date:  Apply before 3:24 pm on 10 October 2022  

 

 

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.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978 to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end.

UNDP/PAPP places empowerment, resilience and sustainability at the center of its operation and focuses on three priority areas: the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, where the needs are the greatest. UNDP/PAPP is active in four thematic areas: democratic governance and the rule of law; economic empowerment and private sector development; environment and management of natural resources; and

public and social infrastructure.

Under the guidance of the Operations and Service Manager and direct supervision of the Head of BSSC, the Programme Portfolio Associate provides leadership in execution of services to the UNDP/PAPP Programme Design and Implementation Analysts and Project Managers. The Programme Portfolio Associate provides support in the design, planning and management of the country office programme/project portfolios by managing data and facilitating programme/project implementation; while ensuring effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Programme Portfolio Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Portfolio Associate works closely with other BSSC support staff and in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in UNDP/PAPP and UNDP HQs staff for resolving complex programme-related issues and information delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Programme Portfolio Associate will undertake the following functions:

1.    Ensures administration and implementation of programme, operational and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 

•    Full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
•    UNDP/PAPP Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management.
•    Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements.
•    Effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC). Establishment of the mechanisms to track use of RBM tools and maintenance of RBM database.
•    Presentation of information/reports on programme/project support, interventions and areas requiring corrective action.
•    Implementation of UNDP/PAPP partnerships and resources mobilization strategies, preparation of reports, elaboration of conditions of contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts.

 

2.    Ensures administration and implementation of programme, operational and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 

•    Presentation of thoroughly researched information for formulation of country programme, preparation of project documents’ drafts, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
•    Initiation of a project, entering project into Atlas, follow up on Programme Portfolio Pipeline and Project Tree in Atlas and Preparation of required budget revisions.
•    Entry of data of new grants into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring of AWPs status.
•    Sending project budget to KK (if authorized and on the basis of signed project documents and project budgets)
•    Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.
•    Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system, control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status versus ASL, follow up with HQs on ASL for development projects.
•    Follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports including donor reports
•    Analysis of the situation in programme, provision of information/reports identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
•    Preparation and conduct of audit of DIM/NIM projects, implementation of audit recommendations.
•    Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports and follow-up on their signing by National Counterparts.
•    Regular monitoring of the UNDP/PAPP delivery
•    Provision of advice on reporting
•    Verification and reconciliation of various expenditures reports from UNDP/PAPP, HQ and Executing Agencies.
•    Periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of the remedial actions in coordination with the supervisor.
•    Timely payment of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided, implementation of cost recovery tracking system.

 

3.    Provides administrative support to the Programme/Project Portfolios focusing on achievement of the following  results:

 

•    Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of NEX projects Financial Reports.
•    Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
•    Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
•    Input of new Vendors
•    Provide administrative and logistical support to the programme portfolios as required.

 

4.    Provides support in creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

 

•    Analysis of financial information on donors, preparation of donor’s profile and database.
•    Track and reporting on mobilized resources.
•    Drafting of cost sharing and trust fund agreements and obtaining of clearances from HQ if necessary.
•    Monitoring of cost-sharing contributions, preparation of AR pending items, application of deposits against prepared pending items.
•    Advice to Programme and Project Staff on different donor reporting requirements; monitoring of financial reports to be submitted to donors.

 

5.    Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

•    Guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.
•    Advice to Project staff on UNDP administrative and NEX reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues.
•    Organization of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management and RBM.
•    Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme and project finance.
•    Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

 

6.    Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of BSSC.

 

Institutional Arrangement:

 

Under the guidance of the Operations and Service Manager and direct supervision of the Head of BSSC, the Programme Programme Portfolio Associate provides leadership in execution of services to the UNDP/PAPP Programme Design and Implementation Analysts and Project Managers.  

 

Competencies

 

Core:

 

Achieve Results:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Required Skills and Experience:

 

Min. Education Requirements:

 

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration required.  Accountancy certificate from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.

 

Min. years of relevant work experience:

 

4 years of progressively responsible financial management or accounting experience is required, with knowledge of programme or project finance desirable with a bachelor's degree.

 

Required Skills:

 

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Strong organizational and time management skills.

Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

 

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

 

Experience in working with international organizations.

 

Required Language(s):

 

Proficiency in English and Arabic languages is required.

Knowledge of Hebrew language will be an asset.