Portfolio Management Analyst

Portfolio Management Analyst – Governance and Health (nationals only)

Job Identification: 19749
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Apply Before: 08/14/2024, 09:44 AM
Job Schedule: Full time
Agency: UNDP
Grade: NOB
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Practice Area: Health
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension
Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree – 2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 4 year(s) experience
Required Languages: English and Nepali
Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks
Mobility required/no mobility: no mobility required

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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

Under its new Country Programme (2023-2027), UNDP’s work in Nepal focuses on developing the capacity of government agencies (federal, provincial, and municipal level), civil society and community groups to jointly pursue development activities to foster sustainable and inclusive economic transformation, enhance people’s participation and inclusion in governance in the context of federalism, and protect and promote biodiversity with nature based solutions, energy transitions, environmental sustainability and resilience to climate change and natural hazards. During the past programme cycle, Nepal has undergone profound changes on account not only of the transition from a unitary to federal system but also of the Covid Pandemic, which has impacted lives, livelihoods, health systems, and has at times slowed down or reversed hard gained development progress. At the same time, the overall trend of Nepal’s GNI has been one of growth, with graduation from LDC status planned for 2026.

Against this backdrop, the new Country Programme 2023-2027 is a strategic opportunity for UNDP Nepal to strategically reposition its contributions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals – with a focus on integrated solutions- and expand its collaboration with national and international development partners including the UN system and other multilateral institutions.

UNDP Nepal’s portfolio of interventions contributing to the strengthening of national governance systems at all levels is expanding, including the extension of UNDP’s role i) in capacity development for the implementation of federalism and ii) as incoming co-Principal Recipient for the Global Fund HIV and TB grants.

Position Purpose

In this context, under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative (RR) and the day-to-day direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Portfolio Management Analyst is responsible for quality assurance and oversight of his/her assigned projects in the governance and health governance thematic areas. S/he works in close collaboration with the Strategic Engagement Team, Results and Partnerships Management Team, Field Offices, Operations Team, project teams, UN Agencies, Regional Bureau, UNDP HQ, Bangkok Regional Hub staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to ensure implementation of concerned UNDP projects in full compliance with rules and regulations of UNDP.

The Portfolio Management Analyst will be responsible for UNDP’s programmatic engagement on health governance and other emerging areas of work in the governance portfolio of UNDP’s CPD 2023-2027, as assigned by senior management.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

In consultation with the senior management, guided by the strategic advisors and field offices, ensures implementation of programme strategies and direction of project activities including achievement of project targets and results by focusing on the following results:

• In accordance with the Project Document, plan and develop project Annual Work Plans (AWPs); establish annual target according to UNDP CO timelines. Design project budget, ensure AWP activities are in line with the orverall direction set by the Project Document and lead to achievements of targets and results.
• Oversee and coordinate development and formulation of detailed implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication and risk management plans for the project, in close coordination and with inputs from the operations team. Coordinate and ensure timely updates of all planning instruments in collaboration with relevant colleagues.
• Ensure inputs from the relevant members of the strategic engagement team, from field offices and from operations team are incorporated in AWPs, in board meeting documents (including progress reports), and are regularly tracked.
• Assess project impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results.
• Establish adequate monitoring procedures and systems throughout project activities. Ensure adequate systems are in place to gather data and information for project monitoring, project progress, including taking regular field trips for monitoring purposes, and coordination with field offices.
• Ensure that UNDP’s results-management systems are kept updated for project results information
• Manage the accurate and timely high-quality results reporting on the progress of the project and achievement of annual targets.
• Implement project communications activities in close collaborate with the Communications Team.
• Organise and participate in project level coordination meetings and/or technical working groups as per project document and AWP.
• Implement project governance arrangements. Oversee organization of Project Board meetings and timely preparation of agenda, materials.
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.

Ensures day-to-day management of projects, by focusing on the following results:

• Ensure compliance of all actions and activities with organizational rules, regulations, policies, strategies and internal control mechanisms.
• Oversee the appropriate use of project funds as well as the consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations. Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments,
• Monitor budget implementation and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of project expenditure. Coordinate preparation of financial reports to UNDP, as required.
• Supervise and manage project personnel and consultants. Develop ToRs/JDs for project staff positions. Oversee recruitment processes. Establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and support to ensure optimum performance. Undertake performance evaluation according to UNDP´s policies and deadlines.
• Develop ToRs for goods/services to be procured, oversee the related assignments and ensure final quality. For policy products identified in the annual work plan, mobilize the relevant member(s) of the strategic engagement team to lead on TOR development, oversight and quality assurance;
• Manage and monitor project risks. In collaboration with the technical project staff and donors identify new risks and update risk frameworks for consideration of the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required.
• Ensure appropriate management of project assets, attendance records, filing system.
• Portfolio Analyst can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects.
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NIM projects.
• Implement audit recommendations for the project. Provide inputs to audit management responses. Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
• Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.
• For engagement facilities where a member of the strategic engagement team is leading the engagement, provide support for mobilization of the required inputs and for programme quality assurance functions, including risk management;
• Initiate operational closure of the project.

In consultation with senior management and guided by the strategic Advisors, ensures creation of strategic partnerships and contributes to the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Strategic Engagement team focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities in close coordination with the strategic engagement team.
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for expansion or extension of his/her portfolio of projects,, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

Facilitation of Knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• 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.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on project issues.

Gender equality and social inclusion sensitivity:

• Ensure alignment of programmatic policy, processes and procedures as per the UNDP’s GESI strategy.
• Prioritize selection of consultant process with due consideration of Gender and Social Inclusion perspectives as per the UNDP GESI strategy.
• Coordinate with GESI focal point within relevant local governments as required to deliver the results of the project.
• Provide advice and direction on strategic and policy issues to strengthen gender & social inclusion initiatives in the programme plan and implementation strategy.
• Facilitate in creating an environment to address GESI issues and make sure women and people from disadvantaged group are sufficiently benefitted from project result.
• Create a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational culture and supporting practices.
• Collaborates with team members, programme partners, and sub-grantees to ensure safe implementation of programmes 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 Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Yes (Portfolio Associate)

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and 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 on other parts of the system.

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 and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
• Partnerships Management: Ability to 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.

General (across the functions)

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Resources management: Ability to plan, monitor, organize, and control human and financial resources of a bureau, team or project.

2030 Agenda: Peace

`Governance: Inclusion and Participation.
2030 Agenda: People

• Health: Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM).
• Gender: Gender Mainstreaming

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, health, local development or relevant related areas is required, 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 of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in development project or programme management, in the field of governance / health sector governance.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management or substantive advisory services, with hands-on experience in design, and implementation of development projects.
• Experience in health sector and governance will be a strong advantage.
• Proven experience developing partnerships with a range of development actors including government, civil society organizations and private sector is desired.
• Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems / Risks, development of solutions is desired.
• Proven experience of managing project audits is desired.
• Experience in use of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling web-based management systems is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Nepali as national language is required.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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