Programme Associate

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Job Description

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP advocates for change, and connects countries to global knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

UNDP has supported Kyrgyzstan’s development progress since 1992 and supports the country in charting future pathways towards greater prosperity, resilience, and social cohesion. As an impartial policy advisor and integrator, UNDP works within the UN system and with all stakeholders in government, civil society, and private sector to advance inclusive, fundamentally sound development solutions and reforms in complex settings. Our United Nations identity ensures neutrality and respect for people’s choices. Transparency and accountability in operations makes us a trusted partner for national and international development stakeholders.
UNDP encourages and enables collective intelligence, collaboration, integration, critical thinking, and thought leadership. We mainstream innovation, digitalization opportunities, gender equity and diversity/inclusion principles in all aspects of our work. Our staff consistently strive for excellence, effectiveness, efficiency and inclusion across all areas of work.
The Governance and Social Cohesion team supports senior management in formulating, evaluating, and overseeing the implementation of the UNDP Country Programme in this thematic area with a focus on portfolios such as human rights, accountable institutions, governance, civic participation, crisis prevention and resilience, and social cohesion. The team exercises leadership and support in ensuring strategic coherence in development of the portfolios, supervises project implementation, and plays a critical role in engagement to foster partnerships and mobilise resources.
The unit contributes to a collective engagement with other teams, partners, and clients to offer timely, well-planned, and efficient services that meet the standard and requirements of UNDP policies and procedures. The team harnesses innovation and digital solutions, while fostering an environment of continuous learning.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, Team Leader Governance and Social Cohesion, the Programme Associate supports the management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned and will provide programming and implementation monitoring support in the areas of effective and accountable governance, anti-corruption, rule of law and justice, gender-sensitive and evidence-based social and human rights, the strengthening of government institutional frameworks, civic participation, crisis prevention and resilience, and cross thematic development.
The Programme Associate makes a key contribution to project oversight, to the quality of UNDP’s partnerships, integrated planning/reporting and oversight of the use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures. The Programme Associate is a key contributor to strategic delivery planning and ensures the implementation of project governance, quality assurance, financial oversight, risk management, monitoring and audit activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Administration of programme implementation strategies, adapts processes and procedures with a focus on results, effectiveness and efficiency
Support to oversight of the CO programme
Administrative support to the unit and programme portfolio
Support in creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy

Ensures administration and implementation of programme strategies, adapts processes and procedures with a focus on results, effectiveness and efficiency, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Presentation of thoroughly researched information for preparation of CCA, UNSDCF, CPD, CPAP, effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets. Establishment of the mechanisms to track use of RBM tools and maintenance of RBM database.
Support to the Team Leader in the design of effective implementation strategies, including programme and procurement planning
Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies, preparation of reports.
Support to the mainstreaming of strategic innovation and digitalization in programme planning and design

Innovation and trouble-shooting to enhance programme effectiveness and efficiency

Provides effective support to oversight of the CO programme focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Support preparation of programme governance milestones such as programme boards
Presentation of thoroughly researched information for formulation of country programme, preparation of project documents’ drafts, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
Initiation of a project, entering project into the ERP (in small offices), preparation of required budget revisions.
Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.
Assist and facilitate the regular monitoring of projects and follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports.
Analysis of the situation in programme, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions; engagement with Responsible Parties to troubleshoot problems.
Preparation and conduct of audit of all projects, monitor implementation of audit recommendations
Ensure timely project closure and submission of documents.
Oversee the adequacy of project archives and complete programme archival of key mission reports, supporting documents, agreements etc

Provides administrative support to the unit and programme portfolio focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, purchase orders, CAP submissions, review of all projects Financial Reports, and other budgetary and financial documentation.
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in the ERP.
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
Drafting and/or review of MOUs and partnership agreements.

Provides support in creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

donor counterparts for designated donors/in designated areas.
Support to field monitoring travel communications activities, and other partnership support
Track and report on mobilized resources.
Communication with partners’ representatives

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme implementation and management.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Application of digital tools to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and transparency

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

Secondary or High School Diploma is required. A certificate in Business Administration/ Accounting or Finance will provide distinctive advantage to the candidate; or
University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences will be given due consideration.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years with Secondary education or 3 years with University Degree of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level.
Experience in programme oversight, project implementation and/or development finance in the thematic areas related to governance and social cohesion or a similar area would be deemed a comparative advantage.
Some experience in monitoring and evaluation and results-based management tools with a background and interest in the analysis of development issues and related policy matters will be an added advantage.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements :