Programme Coordinator (Open to all applicants)

Job Description

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

The Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI) (originally known as the Tumen River Area Development Programme –TRADP), is an intergovernmental cooperation mechanism in Northeast Asia, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with a membership of four countries: People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Russian Federation. 

In 1995, member governments signed formal agreements to establish the intergovernmental cooperation mechanism, aimed at strengthening economic and technical cooperation, and attaining greater growth and sustainable development for the peoples and countries in Northeast Asia and the Tumen River area in particular.

Since its creation, the GTI has remained a unique intergovernmental platform for economic cooperation, fostering peace, stability and sustainable development in Northeast Asia. It is playing a significant role in expanding policy dialogue and strengthening a business-friendly environment in the region, therefore contributing to the improvement of living standards through the development of infrastructure and the promotion of trade and investment. 

In 2005, the member countries agreed to assume the full ownership and focus on the promotion of regional cooperation in the key sectors of economy: energy, transport, tourism, trade & investment, environment and agriculture. 

In recent years, GTI member countries recognized the importance to expand cooperation in wider areas, and agreed to establish the new mechanisms under the GTI framework. In this connection, the Northeast Asia Local Cooperation Committee, NEA EXIM Bank Association, GTI Research Institutions Network, and NEA Business Association were established.

Currently, GTI is in the process of legal transition to an independent international organization. The discussion on legal texts is undergoing.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Coordinator report to GTI Secretariat Director.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Director of GTI Secretariat, the Programme Coordinator will be part of GTI Secretariat team. He/she will discharge the following duties and responsibilities: 

Provide technical support to projects and activities implementation in the agriculture sector

• Facilitate the organization of events, meetings, and explore multi-level dialogues.
• Support GTI agriculture cooperation initiatives through identification, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects, ensuring sound financial management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate with the Agriculture Board to integrate aims and activities into the work plan, prepare annual reports, manage related budgets and make recommendations for regional cooperation.
• Conduct research and analysis on regional agriculture cooperation and contribute to project development and policy recommendations. 
• Assist in the mobilization of financial and technical resources and help expand partnerships to advance new agriculture initiatives. 

Support effective communications and institutional visibility

• Assist in the design, development and maintenance of the GTI’s institutional database and GTI’s website, covering GTI sectors, activities, information on GTR and NEA with cost-efficiency and budget adherence, ensuring systematic information management, functional interfaces, and user-friendly access
• Coordinate branding and outreach activities and maintain media relations to promote the public awareness of GTI activities/projects and support the production and dissemination of GTI promotional materials. 
• Help maintain and expand partnerships with governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance outreach and resource mobilization. 

Facilitate programme coordination and knowledge management

• Contribute to designing and implementation of the GTI Knowledge Management Action Plan, as well as the assessment of needs and capacity gaps, and coordinating staff capacity development programs.
• Coordinate the transformation of knowledge into formatted, designed, and published products, employ and introduce relevant tools and systems.
• Help formulate and implement the mid-term knowledge management program and support initiatives through digital platforms and assist in developing collaborative networks.

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

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 & 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 other parts of the system

Administration & Operations             

• Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings) - Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Business Management           

• Project Management - Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• 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
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Finance            

• Finance business partnering:
  • Able to support business units and add value by innovating and providing solutions to financial issues/queries, including through FAQs, financial tools, advisory, etc. 
  • Influences and appropriately challenges non-finance colleagues for whom the service is being provided. 
  • Understands the operations, opportunities and challenges of the organization. 
  • Holds a commercial outlook, demonstrating accountability towards organizational goals.

Digital  

• Data strategy and management - Knowledge to draft or execute a data strategy or a data management framework

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 Agriculture, Business, Economics, Finance, International Relations, Communication or Development Studies is required. OR 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level 

Desired skills

• Cooperation experiences with government agencies, international organizations or development finance institutions would be an asset.
• Hands-on experience in planning and monitoring multinational projects, ideally in Northeast Asia.
• Experience in policy briefs and analysis, especially in the field of agriculture 
• Experience in financial management or exposure to organizational business administration matters will be valued.

Required Language:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. 

Desired Languages:

• Knowledge of 1-2 GTI languages: Korean, Chinese, Russian, and Mongolian is desired.

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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