Programme Manager, Sabah

Background

UNDP multi-country office in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society.

In Malaysia, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Malaysia and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Malaysia Plan. Malaysia is currently implementing the Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 (12MP), which is anchored around three key themes namely resetting economy, strengthening security, wellbeing and inclusivity; and advancing sustainability to achieve economic growth and transform Malaysia into a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable country.

Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) is the biggest programme portfolio for UNDP Malaysia Country Office (CO), with wide range of initiatives and projects from biodiversity and ecosystems, climate change, energy, environmental management, ozone protection, green commodities, natural resource management and waste management. Currently, NCE programme implementation is mainly funded by government finance, Global Environment Facility and other resources. The portfolio remains one of the important programme areas in the Country Programme Document period of 2022 – 2025 with a shift towards diversification of funding and efforts to operationalize new and innovative financial instruments and partnerships. UNDP intends to advance an integrated development programme offering integrated solutions that will support Sabah in achieving its SDGs by 2030.  This integrated development approach will leverage on projects under implementation and pipeline initiatives to be developed in close collaboration with the State Government of Sabah.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in close collaboration with the State Government of Sabah is implementing initiatives / projects on integrated landscape management, green commodities, and community led climate and nature actions. UNDP’s integrated programme in Sabah is expected to grow with diverse partners and funding streams building on existing initiatives / projects.

This partnership with Sabah will require full time service of a Programme Manager, Sabah Programme to act as a focal point for engagement with government partners, state and non-state stakeholders in Sabah, oversee the development process of pipelines under the integrated programme, oversee the implementation of the integrated programme and the specific projects under the integrated programme, manage and/or implement relevant projects,  and advice for communications between UNDP and stakeholders in Sabah. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of UNDP Programme Specialist, Nature, Climate & Energy in the Country Office in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, the Programme Manager is responsible for effective delivery of programme/project implementation support services ensuring effective operational management of programme/project, transparent utilization of financial resources.  The Programme Manager promotes a collaborative and client-oriented approach consistent with the UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Manager works in close collaboration with the respective Country Office (CO) Programme and Operations teams, Government counterparts, national and international experts, and project partners ensuring successful CO performance and compliance in programme management and finance.

The Programme Manager will manage and supervise the project team(s) to ensure that the project staff, technical experts and service providers operate effectively and efficiently for successful implementation and delivery of project activities/outputs

Ensure effective management of the integrated development programme and related projects focusing on effective and result-based programme and project implementation, quality control including gender mainstreaming into project implementation with the purpose of achieving the following results:

• Lead in ensuring the country programme and project outcomes, outputs and activities are implemented and achieved as planned. 
• Ensure all Programme and Project Management (PPM) requirements in the UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) are fully executed to achieve full compliance. 
• Ensure that bottlenecks related to country programme / project implementation are resolved with appropriate adaptive and/or corrective measures, including seeking support from UNDP Country Office as well as engaging relevant stakeholders and partners in State Government to resolve the local challenges. 
• Coordinate and work closely with UNDP Country Office’s Management and Oversight Unit to ensure programme and project monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements are met. 
• Manage and/or implement project gender action plan(s) with project partners.
• Manage and/or implement UNDP Social and Environmental Standards and relevant management plans with project partners.
• Participate in the meetings, events, and other engagements with stakeholders on behalf of UNDP Country Office, at the request with the clearance of supervisor(s).

Provides effective leadership and coordination in the integrated programme development and associated project design with development partners, UN Agencies and implementing partners, ensuring robust articulation of Theory of Change and results from framework linking inputs and activities to programme outputs and outcomes, supported with evidence to report on the UNDP Strategic Plan and Country Programme Development (CPD) indicators:

• Ensure the development and implementation of detailed work plan including technical inputs, human resource and financial resource requirements to support the development of the integrated programme and relevant design of new projects. 
• Coordinate consultation(s) / meeting(s) / workshop(s) between UNDP Country Office programme & operations team, UNDP Global Policy Network, the relevant UNDP Global and Regional teams, relevant technical expertise and line Ministries involved  on the programme/project formulation to gather input and feedback on programme proposals ensuring timely follow up.
• Work closely with UNDP Country Office on the application of sensemaking, horizon scanning, design thinking, and relevant innovative approaches and tools in the development and design of the integrated programme and associated projects.
• Ensure sound application of UNDP programming standards in the development and formulation of the new pipeline of projects under the programme unit

Actively explores, identifies opportunities, establishes and maintain strategic engagement and partnerships, especially with relevant state and non-state stakeholders / partners 

• Act as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders involved in the formulation of the UNDP and State Government’s integrated development programme.
• Explore and establish programming, partnership and resource mobilization opportunities through active engagement with relevant stakeholders under the UNDP and State Government’s integrated development programme. 
• Develop and maintain working relationships, coordinate and facilitate communication and collaboration between the Country Office and main government partners in Sabah.
• Oversee, coordinate and report regularly on the process and progress of UNDP Country Office’s engagement and partnership.

Provides effective technical advisory services to UNDP Country Office, stakeholders and other relevant parties into policy formulation, knowledge management, and advocacy efforts that are necessary to create a healthy pipeline of initiatives/projects in Sabah:

• Conduct research and analysis to identify needs, gaps, and opportunities for the new programming opportunities. 
• Provide regular reporting, analysis, and advice to UNDP Management on the strategic opportunities. Keep management informed of key issues, concerns, and trends to ensure close alignment between project formulation and government expectations.
• Coordinate and support development institutions working towards addressing development priorities in collaboration with the Government of Sabah and other strategic partners
• Maintain effective network with development partners and Government of Sabah, and where necessary links up with the corporate Global Policy Network of UNDP and other communities of practice.

Provides leadership and coordination in knowledge building and management in accordance with the programme and project objectives and results as well as UNDP policies and procedures:

• Supervise, energize and motivate the project teams in Sabah and ensure project staff capacity building in project implementation.
• Contribute to the development of project management knowledge products based on lessons learned, experiences and data generated through programme and project implementation, and provide sound contributions to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Identify, write and communicate success stories, best practices and lessons learnt from relevant technical advisory services, initiatives and projects, and ensure proper documentation and dissemination.
• Support organizing of knowledge generating events held in State Government relating to the programme areas together with CO and/or partners 
• Work with UNDP Country Office’s Communications Unit  on the implementation of Communications and Advocacy Strategies and Plan.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
    

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

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 information and to turn it 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    

• Results-based Management. Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Communication. Ability to 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

Partnership    

• 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 

Business Direction and 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
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in one of the following: Conservation Biology, Ecology, Development Studies, Economics, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Sustainability Studies, Social Sciences, Anthropology, International Development, or in a related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above,  in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (on bachelor’s degree)  of relevant experience (at the national or international level) in providing advisory/technical support services, and managing and implementing programmes /projects in the area of sustainable development and/or environmental governance
• At least 2 years of working experience with international organizations / government / private sector / research institution / think tank.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage development programmes and projects in all phases of programme /project management involving multiple partners and stakeholders in the national and/or sub-national setting.
• Proven track record of knowledge of public policy development processes in Sabah 
• Experience in collaborating and partnering with the private sector, communities and/or international organizations.
• Demonstrated ability in writing good quality reports, policy briefs/papers, and/or communication & advocacy articles/blog/stories
• Proven field experience in the field of sustainable development in Malaysia.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Basic knowledge of GIS application.

Required languages:

• Fluency in English and Malay, both written and verbal is required. 

Nationality:

• Malaysian nationals only. Applications from Malaysians, particularly those originating from Sabah or have legal residence in Sabah are strongly encouraged

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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