Portfolio Support Associate

Background

UNDP Nepal has invested in design and prototyping of a set of innovative interventions at Local Levels with focus on Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) and green economy since last couple of years, as precursors to the development of portfolio approach to promote circular and green economy portfolio design. The Green Transition in Nepal Portfolio has been developed with the aim of  supporting Local Governments in Nepal in the adoption of green practices, focusing on three interconnected transformation pillars: (i) developing circularity, and green and inclusive economy, adapted to each municipality’s context, (ii) establishing a balanced relationship with nature by implementing sustainable and green municipal infrastructures and services, as well as improving the ecosystem resilience within and around municipalities to mitigate local climate and disaster risks, and (iii) establishing supportive policy and governance environment to accelerate green transition in Nepal. It’s an umbrella portfolio that aims to engage with individual municipalities and build local level portfolios that are co-owned with the local authorities and communities, as well as promote coordination, learning, and sharing between them.

Since UNDP’s engagement with local governments has shown growing interest for the development and scaling of resilient, sustainable, and inclusive cities, a Green Transition Portfolio for Dhangadhi has been developed to cater local needs, promote local knowledge & innovations and to achieve national priorities set by the Government of Nepal which is the first instance of this Portfolio Document. It is a joint (co-owned, co-designed, co-funded, and co-implemented) portfolio between UNDP Nepal and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City (DSMC). UNDP and DSMC have formally acknowledged their agreement to collaborate on this Portfolio, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), outlining the scope of collaboration and the processes and instruments to be used (in particular UNDP’s Portfolio Policy and Dynamic Management Protocol). Building upon the progress, results and lessons learnt of Green Transition Portfolio for Dhangadhi, UNDP Nepal will further scale up the Portfolio approach/model in the future and updated the documents as other collaborations are established and new municipality-wise specific portfolios are designed, agreed and implemented across the country. For this, a dedicated Portfolio Support Associate will be responsible to facilitate portfolio implementation at the local level. He/She will report to National Portfolio Manager of Green Transition Portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Portfolio Support Associate will report to the National Portfolio Manager and work closely with the UNDP portfolio team, UNDP field office Dhangadhi and Municipal officials. The incumbent will be based at Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Kailali, Dhangadhi.

The primary objective of the position is to support green transition portfolio of DSMC and strengthen the capacity of local government in system building and implementation of portfolio interventions. 

The key responsibilities of the assignment are:

Providing support to implement portfolio interventions

• Facilitate the execution of innovative tools and approaches (such as mentoring, coaching and peer learnings) to capacitate the municipal authorities.
• Support application of tools and approaches developed by portfolio policy intervention for effective service delivery.
• Ensure to participate and contribute to all learning activities of portfolio interventions. 
• Ensure logistic and administrative arrangement for portfolio implementation.

Providing coordination and liaison support at the local level.

• Provide technical support to build local relationship with the relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate and liaise for organizing portfolio meetings and consultations.
• Ensure participation of the stakeholders in implementing portfolio interventions.
• Maintain record system, data management, and communication for the documentation
• Provide support for documenting lessons learned, and best practices.
• Collaborate with concerned municipal officials and ensure effective knowledge-sharing 
• Ensure reporting and timely submission of portfolio interventions.

Ensuring Gender Equality and Social Inclusion work through Portfolio interventions.

• Ensure GESI is well captured and mainstreamed in portfolio implementation.
• Provide support to ensure GESI-related results in monitoring, communication and reporting including disaggregated data management 
• Coordinate with implementing partners to adhere UNDP GESI strategies in all interventions.
• Assist to create a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational culture and supporting practices.
• Collaborate with team members and programme partners to ensure safe implementation of programme at the community level applying Do No Harm approach.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the programme.              

Competencies

Core competencies 

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and Strategy      

• Effective Decision Making - Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

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          

• Partnership Management - Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Ethics

• UN policy knowledge – ethic - Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education (Grade 12) is required. 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Economics, Rural Development, Social Science, Development Studies, or any other relevant areas will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in Communication, Coordination, monitoring, and capacity development area is required.
• Knowledge and experience of using basic computer skill (i.e Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Good knowledge and understanding about the role of local government in developing planning and policy.
• Proven experience in supporting coordination and stakeholder engagement with governments.
• Knowledge of local governance systems, municipal structures, and local-level policy frameworks.
• Working experience on supporting capacity assessment and development of Local Government and /or relevant stakeholders.
• Experience of Report writing, and Documentation of lesson learned .
• Prior experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, or donor-funded programme.

Required Languages

• Fluency in Nepali and English is required.

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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