Vertical Fund Systems and Procedures Specialist

Remote | New York City

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Remote | New York City
Grade: Mid level - IPSA-11, International Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Closing Date: 2024-12-21

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

BPPS’s Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste, with the support of the Vertical Fund Programme Support Oversight and Compliance Unit, works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate nature, climate, energy and waste related concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies, support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and oversee the implementation of the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming nature, climate change, energy and waste. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio encompasses:

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests;.
Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems;
Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS;
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation;
Sustainable Energy;
Extractive Industries;
Chemicals and Waste Management;
Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy, and SCP approaches.

This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.

UNDP's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlighting our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, accompanying countries in their pathways towards the SDGs and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP's Nature, Climate, Energy, and Waste (NCE&W) Hubs promote and scale up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.

The newly established UNDP BPPS/Vertical Fund Programme Support, Oversight and Compliance Unit (VF Hub) leads UNDP’s engagement with environmental and climate Vertical Funds including the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The VF Hub, in coordination with the BPPS Environmental Hubs on Nature, Climate, and Chemicals and Waste, develops the technical, operational and financial strategy for UNDP’s engagement with these Vertical Funds.

The VF Hub is designated as the overall corporate relationship manager with these global environmental and climate Vertical Funds. It is responsible for the alignment of corporate policies; quality assurance on pipeline development; provision of specialized advisory services on diversifying finance for integrated programming; results-based management, reporting and communication of impact achieved; management and maintenance of the Project Information Management System+; fiduciary oversight and compliance, including social and environmental standards; and ensuring compliance with Vertical Funds requirements in alignment with UNDP requirements.

The Vertical Funds Systems and Procedures Specialist will work under the supervision of the Programme and Results-Based Management (RBM) Specialist in the VF Hub to lead on translating new policy into internal procedural, system and capacity development initiatives to support UNDP Country Offices, Regional Bureaus and global teams to design, implement, monitor and report on projects financed by these Vertical Funds.

Scope of Work

The Systems and Procedures Specialist will support the Vertical Fund Hub by advising on how to translate upcoming policy changes into procedural and system changes and leading on the development and implementation of a capacity building component for all levels of colleagues working on Vertical Funds projects from Country Office to Regional Hub and HQ. The Specialist will translate Vertical Fund policy changes into standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidance, and simplify, streamline and consolidate existing documentation. The Systems and Procedures Specialist will also be responsible for integrating the SOPs and corresponding updated workflows into the dedicated Vertical Fund Project and Information management system (PIMS+), and for developing and implementing a strategic training and capacity building initiative for VF project colleagues to support adoption and adherence to the SOPs and guidance.

The Systems and Procedures Specialist will be expected to:

Gain a deep understanding of VF policy and how upcoming changes will affect relevant internal procedures and systems. Using this knowledge, the Specialist will engage in strategic discussions with the VF Hub Executive Coordinator and Leads on Policy and Programme Support, to develop a plan for revamping the VF Hub ecosystem of guidance, SOPs and workflows to adapt to the signals of change.
Advise on how to improve clarity, streamlining and robustness of VF-relevant guidance materials through desk review, analysis and discussions with colleagues on trends related to project performance delays and areas of risk.
Identify areas of synergy across VF Hub and relevant UNDP landscape of systems and digital offerings including PIMS+, Quantum, and corporate dashboards to advise on process streamlining and where more robust guidance would greatly support efficient and effective design, implementation and reporting of VF funded projects.
Identify and advise on detailed technical and workflow changes to the VF Hub project information management system (PIMS+). Develop documentation for workflow changes that will need to be made to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness across the platform. Write specifications to integrate new workflows into PIMS+ and coordinate with PIMS+ team to develop, test, and demo these updates.
Develop and update guidance and SOP documents, as per the developed plan, ensuring coherence and consistency on approach, language, and templates.
Develop strategic training plan and approach to engage colleagues implementing, advising on, and quality assuring VF projects at Country, Regional and HQ levels. Devise a process and timeline for the creation and implementation of multimedia training packages that align with the various policy, procedural and system changes that will be happening throughout the year.
Deliver online trainings to build capacity of relevant colleagues to absorb and incorporate the materials in their work with VF funded projects.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Specialist will work remotely from his/her home-base;
The Specialist will report to the Executive Director, VF Hub based in New York/UNHQ. S/he will engage with UNDP colleagues in Country Offices, Regional Hubs, and HQ staff, as appropriate;
The Specialist will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment;
The Specialist will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection;
Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the Specialist is expected to be reasonably be flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:	LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and Strategy	Strategic Thinking	Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
Business Development	Knowledge Generation	Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
Business Management	Change Management	Initiate, design and ensure successful implementation of organisational change; prepare and support individuals and teams in implementing change
Finance	Development finance expertise	Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc.
Business Management	Digital Awareness and Literacy	Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.
Business Management	Communication	Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
Business Direction & Strategy	Systems Thinking	Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Management, Public Policy, International Relations, or closely related fields is required, or
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the said fields, in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be taken into consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 7 years (with Master’s Degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant experience developing detailed guidance and SOPs for systems and procedures related to organizational policy.

Required skills

Experience developing guidance materials, SOPs and workflows for complex processes and policies is required;
Experience developing and delivering training, capacity building sessions, and courses virtually is required;
Full computer literacy in Microsoft Office programmes

Desired skills

Previous work experience in UNDP or UN system having gained a demonstrated understanding of project and programme implementation, standards and requirements;
Experience and/or familiarity with environment and climate vertical funds, such as the GCF or GEF;
Experience working with cross-cultural teams dispersed across various geographic locations.
Demonstrated ability to build capability in agile ways of working, innovation, co-design and design thinking;
Strong communications skills, including drafting and writing of clear documents and facilitation of workshops and webinars;
Ability to translate complex, abstract ideas and concepts into practical exercises and accessible tools for learning and decision making.

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English language is a requirement.
Knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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