PNUD recruits 01 Trust Fund Specialist
Job Description
Agency: UNDP
Title: Trust Fund Specialist
Job ID: 21918
Practice Area – Job Family: Crisis Prevention and Recovery – STABILIZATION
Vacancy End Date: (Midnight New York, USA) 31/03/2019
Duty Station: Goma, Congo, The Democratic Republic
Education & Work Experience: I-Master’s Level Degree – 5 year(s) experience
Languages Required: English, French
Desired:
Grade: P3
Vacancy Type: FTA International
Posting Type: External
Bureau: Africa
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension
Background
The MONUSCO Stabilization Support Unit (SSU), established within the Integrated Office of the DSRSG/RC/HC, coordinates and supports the implementation of the International Security and Stabilization Support strategy (ISSSS). The primary objective of the SSU is to ensure the programmatic and financial coherence and coordination of international support within the framework of the GoDRC Stabilization Plan (STAREC). SSU also houses the Technical Secretariat for the Stabilization Coherence Fund (SCF); fixed positions within the SCF Technical Secretariat are UNDP contracted staff members. UNDP simultaneously plays the role of Managing Agent for the SCF, overseeing all fund disbursement to I/NGOs for ISSSS program implementation.
A Stabilization Coherence Fund (SCF) has been established based on the lessons learned from the first phase to support the implementation of the ISSSS and Provincial Stabilization Strategies and Action Plans (SPS/PAPS) for North-Kivu, South-Kivu and former Oriental Province. The SCF has been identified by the GoDRC and members of the international community as a key requirement to promote a more coherent, efficient and effective approach to stabilization in eastern DRC.
The SCF seeks to mobilize a “critical mass” of support – through its flexible funds and its integrated governance structure – that will help ensure that the principles outlined in the revised ISSSS can be respected, and a new and different approach can be tested. Realizing the full potential of the SCF will, however, depend on the speed and quality of its allocations being programmed as well as the extent to which funds provided through other channels can be aligned with the ISSSS approach. A set of criteria for alignment has been defined amongst the donors interested in supporting the stabilization approach.
The Fund has recently become operational; initially with a contribution from the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), followed by individual contributions from three Member States. A transparent call for proposals process was conducted to select the Managing Agent from within the UN (UNDP), and recently the Operations Manual for the Fund has been approved by the National Funding Board (NFB). In addition, a minimum level of funding has been provided to ensure the Technical Secretariat (TS) has the capacity to carry out its support to the administration and functionality of the SCF.
Duties and Responsibilities
The overall function of the Stabilization Coherence Fund Trust Fund Manager is to support the Stabilization Coherence Fund Technical Secretariat, which is overseen by the SSU Deputy Team Leader and comprised of the Trust Fund Manager post along with a Finance and Administrative Assistant. Specifically the Trust Fund Manager is responsible for the management and oversight of the Stabilization Coherence Fund to ensure coherent implementation of the ISSSS in particular:
Summary of key functions:
1.Provide Operational and Financial Management for the Stabilization Coherence Fund and its Governance Structures
2. Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation
3. Programmatic Support
4. Provide technical advice and support to partners through
Provide Operational and Financial Management for the Stabilization Coherence Fund and its Governance Structures
-Monitor the application of Peacebuilding Support Office’s (PBSO), Multi- Partner Trust Fund Office’s (MPTF-O) (AA) and UNDP’s (MA) financial, technical and administrative rules and procedures within the SCF operations;
-Ensure clear ways of working and accountability lines are implemented with the SCF Secretariat, the AA and MA in relation to contracting and disbursement of funds to implementing partners, and meeting monitoring, reporting and transparency requirements;
-Coordinate the preparation of the SCF Technical Secretariat’s annual budget, budget revisions and monitor monthly expenditures;
-Ensure SCF performance/success criteria is aligned to portfolio management to meet PBSO’s, MPTF-O’s and UNDP’s contractual obligations;
-Ensure that data entry in Atlas and MPTF-O Gateway is up to date and correct;
-Manage the overall annual review of the SCF Operations Manual in consultation with NFB, POs, AA and the MA; harmonize with the SCF ToR;
-Provide logistical arrangements required to facilitate Funding Board meetings;
-Advise Funding Board members on any compliance issues in line with the SCF guidance documents (ToR, SCF Operations Manual, SAA, MOUs etc.);
-Document, communicate and ensure follow up of Funding Board decisions including the submission of allocation approvals to the AA.
Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation
-Ensure periodic reporting requirements outlined in the SCF Operations Manual are met and provide quality control of financial and narrative reports submitted by Implementing Partners before submission to Funding Board members;
– Consolidate and provide analyses of partners contributions to the SCF annual narrative report (based on reporting received from Participating Organizations (POs) and other sources, where relevant) which should provide an overview of the fund’s performance in relation to its objectives;
– Liaise with ISSSS M&E cell to ensure proper functioning of the M&E system and suggest strengthening where required;
– Monitor financial and substantive assessment of projects in coordination with the AA and MA when relevant;
-Share evaluation and audit findings as well as any finding from spots-checks that shows breach of contractual obligations or integrity by INGOs;
-Ensure that the monitoring and evaluation of projects and programs is sufficient to support an assessment of their performance in relation to the ISSSS objectives, and the quality of implementation by the POs;
-Facilitate the annual consultations to review the status of the SCF.
Programmatic Support
-Provide technical support to the Technical Secretariat with overall guidelines for program development and launch call for proposals;
-Coordinate and provide a programmatic overview of the SCF;
– Apply program management tools that focus on establishing targets and programme milestones;
-Develop and maintain a database of implementing partners and to the extent possible, harmonize the database with that of the MA on fiduciary issues;
-Identify strategic program approaches and modalities which provide value added for the SCF within the wider landscape of stabilization, humanitarian and development actions in Eastern DRC and the region, and contribute to the global practice development;
-Support the Gender Advisor with the implementation of the ISSSS Gender Guidelines;
-Work with the Gender Advisor to ensure that SCF’s objectives on gender responsive budgeting and programming are being met;
-Support Communications Officer in the development of knowledge products by identifying good practices and success stories from the programme portfolio which will disseminate to donors, UN system and wider stabilization communities ;
-Collaborate with Alignment Officer to ensure coherence between the SCF programme portfolio and bilaterally funded ISSSS aligned programs and projects.
Provide technical advice and support to partners through:
-Mentor, and build capacity of the SCF Technical Secretariat staff, government counterparts and implementing partners; ensuring administrative and financial oversight and quality assurance of the SCF operations and transactions;
-Develop with MA tools to strengthen I/NGO partner capacities to improve management through partners reviews, tailored training sessions, and provision of guidelines on project management procedures;
-Coordinate with MA the risk management system in line with the HACT requirements (micro-evaluations, performance and portfolio analysis, etc.);
-Keep the National and Provincial Funding Boards abreast of partners’ capacities to implement projects, any potential risks or breach of contractual obligation.
Impact of Results
Sound operational and financial management of the Stabilization Coherence Fund will result in the solid protection of donors’ investment and the creation of trust in SSU’s ability to manage funds in a transparent and effective way. This in turn may have a positive impact on future fundraising efforts. Sound programmatic support, including reporting, monitoring and evaluation will lead to the implementation of quality programs on the ground and generate lessons learned and good practices on the stabilization approach in Eastern DRC that will influence the missions’ and other key partner’s policy work. Mentoring and coaching of implementing partners will enhance ownership of the stabilization approach, and contribute to the implementation of the exit strategy. Taken together, these core functions should ultimately impact on the lives of the beneficiaries of the Fund and the creation of more peaceful communities.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
-Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
-Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
-Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
-Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
-Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP;
-The incumbent shall reflect high moral standards, dedication, accountability and delivery drive towards results and impact.
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
-Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
-Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational/Technical Effectiveness
-Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
-Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
-Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
-Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of other;
-Sets clear performance goals and standards; executes responsibilities accordingly;
-Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement;
-Dependability, reliability and initiative;
-Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches deal with challenging situations;
-Pursues own personal and professional development Strives for quality client-cantered services (internal/external).
Management and Leadership
-Builds strong relationships with partners, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
-Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP;
-Public relations, communication and advocacy skills;
-Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
-Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
-Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
– Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
-Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
-Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
-Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
-Strong analytical judgment; efficiency and results-orientation in a multi-tasking environment and excellent management capabilities;
-Ability to use information technology effectively as a tool and resource.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
-Master or equivalent degree in international relations, international development, political science, or another relevant social science.
Experience:
-A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the development, the design and the management of stabilization/ peacebuilding projects/ programs;
-Experience in setting up and working with multi-donor trust funds;
-Sound program management skills (narrative/financial reporting, monitoring and evaluation;
-Work experience in DRC and conflict environment;
-Knowledge of tools and methodologies to mainstream gender and the women, peace and security agenda in the project/program cycle.
Desirable experience:
-Previous work experience on stabilization policy and programming in a peacekeeping context;
-Existing knowledge of the revised ISSSS framework;
-Knowledge of UN/UNDP policies, programming frameworks and procedures.
Language Requirements:
-Full working knowledge of French and English
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
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UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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