Programme Associate

The combination of high vulnerability, persistent development challenges, and exposure to economic, social, and environmental shocks threaten progress in the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the SAMOA Pathway for the North Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS). As per the global MCO review recommendation concluded in May 2019, the UN reform brought forward the demand from countries and territories served by MCOs for more tailored country support, enhanced physical presence, increased policy, and technical resources, deeper engagement in global and regional inter-governmental forums, strengthened data capacities, better access to finance, and South-South and triangular cooperation, to better meet the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda and implement the SAMOA Pathway priorities.  In response, the UNSDG has committed to enhance the support to these countries and territories, largely constituted of SIDS, through a set of collective and individual actions. The establishment of UNDP’s office in the North Pacific is part of this commitment.

UNDP programmes in the North Pacific focus on three main areas i) Resilience and Sustainable Development ii) Effective Governance and iii) Inclusive Growth. Although majority of the projects are environment focused and funded by vertical funds, youth empowerment, gender equality and digital transformation are emerging areas which are important to address the issue of vulnerability and inequality further compounded by the impact of Covid-19. The North Pacific Office operates from the UNDP North Pacific Office in Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), overseeing other countries in North Pacific including Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) and Palau, jointly coordinated with the UNDP Pacific Office in Suva, Fiji.

Within the Pacific Office Multi-Country Office (MCO), the Programme team has a responsibility of developing, providing oversight and ensure adherence to the quality standards of UNDP’s projects and programmes in full alignment with the priorities set out in the MCPD and UNSDCF during the design, implementation, and closure of projects and programme. Programme team further over-sees effective implementation of the multi-country programme and its outcomes and strategic di-rection of UNDP, contribution to UN cooperation framework. It also plays important role in strate-gic planning in close consultation with the Management and oversight unit, target-setting, and re-sults monitoring/reporting. The team further ensures that quality principles as per the UNDP poli-cies and guidelines are adhered to during the entire cycle of programming and across management of portfolios. Strategic partnerships support resource mobilization and identify strategic pro-gramme areas of cooperation for new initiatives, including joint programming opportunities.

As a member of the Programme team, and under the supervision and guidance of the Programme Analyst, the UNV Programme Associate will support the formulation, planning and management of the UNDP North Pacific programme by managing data, including financial data, and coordinating programme implementation. The UNV Programme Associate will primarily work across the resili-ence and climate change portfolio but will provide support to the inclusive growth and effective governance as required.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Analyst, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Supports effective planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the UNDP North Pacific programme:

• Supports the collection, analysis and communication of information for preparing concept notes and proposals for new projects
• Supports the analysis of information on donors and partners for the formulation of resource mobilisation opportunities
• Coordinates and compiles information to support the formulation of project docu-ments, work plans, budgets, risk management logs, reports, briefing papers, presentations and other communication materials as required
• Supports the implementation of business process and programme cycles including monitoring and timely preparation of information and reports according to ap-proved project documents, corporate timelines, and MCO requirements
• Supports day-to-day programme oversight, including setting up meetings with stakeholders, developing meeting notes and summaries, following up on outstand-ing action items, and assisting with the timely operational and financial closure of projects

2. Contributes to effective operational and financial management of the UNDP North Pacific programme:

• Supports regular financial planning and reporting on project implementation and budgets against available resources
• Reviews financial data and documents, prepares and submits payment and other programme related requests, and makes budget revisions as required
• Process travel and procurement of consultants, goods and services for programme and projects
• Helps monitor the overall delivery and implementation status of projects through collating information from project management units and reviewing and synthesiz-ing financial data
• Assist with procurement processes, including developing TORs, hiring consultants and contract management
• Oversee regular monitoring of contribution agreements milestones and flag poten-tial delays in attainment of milestones for timely corrective measures

3. Supports learning, knowledge management and self development:

• Assists in capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons from evaluations and assess-ments and help in sharing and accumulating best practices and experience
• Support organization of training and workshops for the MCO and project person-nel on project management, financial management, and other topics as appropri-ate
• Participate in events and communities of practice
• Develop and carry out a personal professional development and learning plan as agreed with the supervisor.

Other tasks that may be required by the supervisor based on the needs of the team to optimize team efficiency and effectiveness in delivery.