Programme Specialist (Nationals Only)

Quito

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Quito
Grade: Mid level - NO-C, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: 2025-02-26

Background

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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.

Background and Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ecuador provides technical assistance to the country and strengthens its capacity to face environmental and energy challenges at the national and community level. It does so by implementing and sharing best practices, providing innovative policy advice, and bringing together partners through projects that help people build sustainable livelihoods. UNDP´s Environment and Energy area implements its lines of action through projects that are aligned with national planning for sustainable development. In addition, UNDP provides close support to Ecuador´s Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE), since this institution serves as the focal point for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and as the Designated Authority for the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

UNDP seeks to strengthen the dimensions of sustainability and equity in environmental management within the framework of sustainable human development. Thus, it prioritizes interventions that promote synergies between conservation actions and the fight against poverty.

The Programme Specialist leads the programme team in the strategic planning and the identification of new programme opportunities within these thematic areas while ensuring consistency with UNSDCF/ CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio. He/she contributes to policy dialogue with the authorities providing policy advisory services and identifying national and international talent and expertise with whom to complement this advisory role.

The Programme Specialist also assumes a leading role in identifying opportunities for resource mobilization with external donors and trust funds as they relate to areas of Environment and Energy while leading and providing guidance in the development of internal and external knowledge networks of practitioners in these thematic areas.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative and matrix supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Programme Specialist provides advice to senior management and manages the UNDP CO programme as it relates to the thematic areas of Environment and Energy. As such, the Programme Specialist has a pivotal role in forging strong partnerships with national government, academia, civil society and governmental institutions to support the programme country towards the achievement of national priorities, SDGs and monitoring its advances in human development.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

In this section list up to five primary functions/accountabilities of the position (Typically one sentence each) and examples of duties that must be performed to successfully accomplish key responsibilities.
1.) Ensuring the strategic direction of the UNDP CO programme in Ecuador in the areas of Environment and Energy.
	Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country conducts the preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNSDCF, CPD, IWP/AWP, ROAR, and other technical documents. Collaborative preparation/revision of key corporate programme management tools. Identification of strategic areas of intervention and cooperation in relation to UNDP’s support for Environment and Energy related activities in coordination with the Nature, Climate and Energy Team. Operationalization of UNSDCF/CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming. Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO. CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Programme Unit.
2.) Management of the CO programme on thematic areas of responsibility and supervision of the programme team.
	Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results. Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets, and milestones. Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. The Programme Management Specialist performs the function of Manager Level 1/2 in Quantum for development projects transactions approval. Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme within the area of responsibility and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment in order to perform a timely readjustment of the programme if needed. Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to the PAC, finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, and closure of projects through review. Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development and implementation of solutions. Participation in audit of DIM/NIM/JP projects. Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported. Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports. Timely cost-recovery for the services provided by the CO to programmes in close collaboration with Country Office Finance team. Active collaboration with the Programme Support Unit to ensure timely and quality delivery of development support services. Active identification and promotion of programmatic collaboration between the Country Office’s programme thematic focus areas
3.) Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the CO resource mobilization strategy within the thematic area assigned.
	Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes. Identification and development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities. Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing as well as initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization. Development and establishment of strategic partnerships with academia and governmental institutions to ensure a consistent monitoring of advances made by the programme country as it relates to the SDGs and Environment and Energy commitments.
4.) Provision of top-quality advisory services on the thematic areas as well as leadership in the management and sharing of knowledge products.
	Key partners receive technical and policy advice related to Environment and Energy Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals. Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country`s problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners. Quality and strategic contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. He/she also builds and maintains external networks to access and expand knowledge. Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues as well as counterparts on organizational tools and mechanisms for knowledge sharing. Development of specialized policy advisory papers, white papers, analysis and high-level technical knowledge products. Facilitation and coordination of development of policies that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners. Facilitation of the generation of knowledge products by the Programme team Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Active participation in strategic advisory groups in the country. Trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme. Active collaboration with UNDP/UN policy networks, advisors, centres and development of specialized technical networks. Active contributions to the Country Office’s Management Group and close collaboration with the Country Office’s advisors and project staff to maximize the relevance and quality of the policy advisory services.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The Programme Specialist supervises and leads programme support staff, as well as coordinates activities of the projects’ staff in the area under his/her responsibility.

Requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Studies or Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field 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.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing advisory management services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.

Desirable Skills:

Work experience in the UN/UNDP, other international organizations, or similar entities will be an advantage.
Experience in working with government, donors, is an asset.
Expertise in Energy and Environment issues is desirable.
Knowledge of ERP platforms (such as PeopleSoft and/or Oracle Cloud) is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Spanish, both oral and written, is required.
Working knowledge of other UN official language or other language at the duty station is an asset.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

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 (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

The Programme Specialist supervises and leads programme support staff.

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction & Strategy	Entrepreneurial Thinking	Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.
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	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 with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Partnerships 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.
Digital	Digital Inclusion	Knowledge of how digital inclusion works opportunities and challenges for governments and society.
2030 Agenda: Prosperity	Inclusive Growth	Social Impact Assessment

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.

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at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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