Background
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. It works with individual countries on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. The Lesotho Country Programme (2019-2023), is anchored on the NSDP II, the UNDAF (2019–2023) and is guided by the UNDP Strategic Plan (2018–2021) through 3- programme pillars: (i) Governance, Accountability, Social Cohesion and Stability; (ii) Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth and (iii) Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change and Resilience.
The Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth (SIEG) Programme is aimed at strengthening capacities of private and public sector stakeholders to create decent and sustainable jobs, promoting economic diversity, facilitating increased economic participation by promoting innovative and technological interventions, collaborative and informative stakeholder policy -shaping platforms and technical support and development. This will be done through implementation of different projects and initiatives for focused on livelihoods development and economic diversification, and data, research and evidence for policy.
In this regard, UNDP is looking for a Programme Associate (PA), who will provide administrative, and financial management support to ensure smooth operation and management of the SIEG programme and related projects. The PA will also provide technical support and guidance to the programme and project implementing and responsible partners and stakeholders, while closely monitoring achievement of the annual programme financing and delivery targets.
The Programme Associate will report to the head of the Strategy and Polity Unit for day-to day activities and work closely with related Projects Managers and the Implementing Partners. The Program Associate is also expected to work in close collaboration with other program associates to ensure consistent and adherence to UN project management systems.
Summary of key functions:
- Management of the programme, implementing activities by mobilizing goods and services, in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations
- Support to programme operations (finance, asset management, administration, HR) in line with UNDP corporate rule, regulation and policies
- Support partnership activities at programme level
- Knowledge building and sharing, with guidance to all stakeholders on programme management and operational matters.
- Manage and ensure day-to-day effective delivery of financial, administrative and operational services for the programme, including setting up programme/project profiles in all UNDP projects management platforms,
- Prepare status report, progress report and other financial reports as may be required
- Support the programme head in monitoring of programme performance including collection of programme/projects related data
- Undertake projects financial closure formalities including submission of terminal reports, transfer and disposal of equipment, processing of semi-final revisions and support professional staff in preparing the terminal assessment reports Participate in all programme meetings and keep related minutes and reports
- Maintain programme files and contact details of programme partners and staff
- Assist the Programme Head in developing and implementing comprehensive financial monitoring system for the programme
- Monitor the use of programme funds, standardize the financial and accounting systems of the programme while ensuring compliance with UNDP financial and accounting procedure
- Comply and verify budget and accounting data by researching files, calculating costs and estimating anticipated expenditure from the programme resources
- Process all type of payments requests for settlement purposes, including advances to all partners after review
- Prepare periodic accounting reports by recording receipts, managing disbursements (ledgers, cashbooks, vouchers etc); reconciling data for recurring or financial special reports and assisting in the preparation of annual procurement plan
- Prepare revision of the budget and assist in the preparation of AWPs
- Assist in preparations of project audit and any other review or evaluation that may occur
- Support in procuring office equipment and ensuring that supply level is adequate to allow project professional staff to adequately perform their job functions
- Proactively manage and monitor the project financial risks initially identified and maintain open channel of communication with PM, flagging new risks and avoidance measures in a timely manner
- Coordinate all internal and external communication for the programme
- Assist the Programme head in drafting letters and responses in a timely manner to any programme related queries
- Communicate ideas and information to improve project implementation and reach
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders
- Support the UNDP implementing partners and programme staff on operational issues and ensure compliance to UNDP administrative and programme policy and procedures.
- Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project for organizational sharing and learning;
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
- Ability to participate effectively in team-based information sharing environment; Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time;
- High client service orientation and initiative to solve problem, excellent analytical and communication skills;
- Ensures high quality and accuracy of work; Executes processes and transactions with a results-oriented approach;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and positive, constructive attitude;
- Ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions;
- Ability to extract, interpret, analyse data and resolve operational problems;
- Ability to perform work of confidential nature and handle a large volume of work;
- Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations;
- Strong IT skills and knowledge of web-based systems;
- Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system.
- Focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
- First University degree, preferably in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or Commerce
- A minimum of 3 years of administrative or programme/project management, financial management, is required; including office management, financial reporting, and budget management.
- Good knowledge of budget control, procurement and financial management principles for projects
- Advanced skill in the usage of computer software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), and web-based management systems.
- Good communications and interpersonal skills essential, excellent drafting and analytical skills required.
- Prior engagement and appreciation of diverse economic development concepts will be an added advantage
- Demonstrate ability to work with minimal supervision, independently adjusting priorities and achieving results
- Fluency in English and Sesotho
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC 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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 14 June 2019