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Programme Specialist (Nationals only)

Guatemala City

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Guatemala City
  • Grade: Mid level - NO-C, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: 2025-01-06

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.
 
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress.  As UN´s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP personnel are united by a common purpose: to help countries and communities across the world; and pursue peaceful, prosperous lives, lived in harmony with the planet.
 
UNDP Guatemala, in accordance with the strategic priorities agreed in the Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period 2022-2025 is the United Nations organization that contributes to national efforts towards sustainable, resilience, equitable and inclusive development, using a participatory and innovative approach. This has implied an increase in alliances with cooperation partners, withing United Nations System and with national and local institutions, and with civil society networks and communities.
The UNDP’s strategic priorities are:
  • Strong institutions: UNDP provides technical support to inter-institutional coordination mechanisms led by national institutions in social and economic cabinets, integrated rural development, and science and technology alliances. Works in the promotion of innovation in technology use, data generation, information systems development, and gender analysis to strengthen evidence-based decision-making at the national and local levels.
  • Peace, Security and Justice: UNDP supports the strengthening of state institutions working to increase citizen security, access to justice and transformation of conflicts.
  • Building resilience for adaptation to climate change: UNDP works to strengthen inter-institutional and intersectoral coordination platforms for development planning, climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity and protected areas management, food security and disaster risk reduction management.
  • Sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development: UNDP is working to strengthen the national social protection system, using a gender perspective and prioritizing vulnerabilities faced by people in crisis and shocks. Coordination, collaboration, and partnerships with other public institutions, private sector and civil society organizations are promoted for effective territorial coordination and regional exchange of best practices.
The Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.
 
 
Position Purpose
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) the Programme Specialist is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the effective people-centered GOVERNANCE thematic area, covering sub-areas of democratic governance, rule of law and inclusive institutions, with human rights, justice and gender equality as transversal themes. The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social, and economic trends and leads the formulation, management, implementation, evaluation and reporting of programme activities within his/her portfolio and provides strategic upstream policy advisory services to the Country Office Management and to government counterparts.
 
The Programme Specialist leads the formulation of strategies and briefing notes to the CO management.  The Programme Specialist will represent UNDP in meetings as requested by his/her supervisor.
 
The incumbent also has a pivotal role in forging strong alliances with academia, government institutions and other national, and international partners to support the programme country under her/his thematic oversight. S/He leads her/his team in the strategic planning and the identification of new programme opportunities within the thematic areas while ensuring consistency with UNCCA and UNSDCF / CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities as well as mindful of cross cutting considerations.
 
The Programme Specialist provides policy and programmatic guidance to the members of other thematic areas of UNDP Country Office, especially regarding cross cutting issues, such as gender equality and institutional capacity development as well as rights of vulnerable groups and constituencies. Overall, the Programme Specialist pursues active collaboration and coordination with other thematic areas in UNDP Country Office to ensure integrated programmatic and policy response and coherence.
 
The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the UNDP programme and operations teams, the Management Support Unit, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society organizations ensuring successful UNDP governance programme formulation, implementation, and delivery of transformational development results.
 
S/he will be responsible for resource mobilization and leads the programme strategic thinking and visioning exercise in a bid to make UNDP the development partner of choice for the government, bi-lateral and multi-lateral partners.
 
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
 
 
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Ensures the implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies.
  • Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country taking into account the SDGs.
  • Provide collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents.
  • Contribute to operationalizing UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
  • Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and corporate strategic initiatives (HACT and others) to ensure the effectiveness CO business processes.
  • Formulation of strategic programmes for achievement of transformational development results.
2.) Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the governance thematic area focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of the country programme.
  • Design and formulation of country programme within thematic areas of responsibility, translating UNDP corporate priorities into local interventions. Coordination of country programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
  • Effective monitoring of results and impact of the country programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the country programme environment, timely re-adjustment of programme.
  • Responsible of overseeing, planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas, and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
  • Effective application of results-based management (RBM) tools and establishment of management targets and proactive and timely monitoring achievements of results and budgets.
  • Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.
  • Leads trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
  • Follow up and implementation of audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
  • Ensures reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports, quarterly financial and progress reports and annual work plans.
  • Initiation and formulation of projects and UN Joint Programmes, from the presentation of the projects to Prepac and LPAC, entering projects into Quantum, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions, coordination of the mandatory and budgetary re-phasing exercises until the closure of projects through reviews.
  • Actively participates in recruitment and procurement processes for projects as required.
  • Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of projects, identification of operational and financial issues and their solutions.
  • Leadership and participation in audit of NEX/NIM projects and internal audits in the thematic areas of his/her responsibility.
3.)  Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy. 
  • Develops strategic partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, and civil society in governance thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor priorities.
  • Leads the analysis and research information on donors, prepares substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects in close coordination with the MSU, and active contribution to the overall office efforts in resource mobilization.
  • Application and use of issue analysis, theories of change, and innovations in monitoring and evaluation results.
4.) Provides top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
  • Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
  • Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.
  • Lead and coordinate the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
  • Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account.
  • Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms, including knowledge products.
  • Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas.
  • Identification of joint interventions programming in the areas under his/her supervision
  • Contribute and/or lead the working sessions of the UN Thematic Groups (TG).
 
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
 
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises programme and project staff.
 
 
Competencies
 
Core Competencies
  • ACHIEVE RESULTS - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
  • THINK INNOVATEVELY - 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.
 
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
 
 
Cross-Functional Competencies
  • BUSINESS DIRECTION & STRATEGY
    • SYSTEM 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.
  • BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
    • KNOWLEDGE FACILITATION: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
  • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • CLIENT SATISFACTION / CLIENT MANAGEMENT: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
    • RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
    • PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
    • PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
 
Technical Competencies
  • EXTERNAL RELATIONS & ADVOCACY
    • PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT - STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.
 
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Sciences, International Development, International Law, Economics, or related field is required or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • Certification in Project Management or equivalent will be an asset.
 
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services on democratic governance, decentralization and/or strengthening of institutional frameworks, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and/or evaluation of development projects.
  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is essential.
  • Demonstrate good management, communication and interpersonal skills and should also be culturally and politically sensitive in the work with counterparts and be able to work at all levels.
  • Research, analytical and negotiation skills are required.
  • People management experience is required.
 
Desired Skills/Experience:
  • Proven experience in developing and leading programmatic portfolios in the areas of public administration, or electoral assistance, or anticorruption, or rule of law or digitalization of public administration processes/services is desired.
  • Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is desired.
  • Experience in UN is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge of UNDP programme and operations policies and guidelines is an advantage.
 
Languages:
  • Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
  • Knowledge of other official UN languages desirable.
 
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the NO categories are subject to local recruitment.
Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.
 
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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