Portfolio Manager – SDG 16

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (CPD), UNDP has developed a Portfolio, prioritizing SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, to implement its Governance and Peacebuilding projects. The Portfolio aims to address governance deficits and strengthen the effectiveness of key institutions to deliver people-centered services. It also aims to build the space, capacity and trust for excluded and vulnerable groups to participate and inform policy- and decision-making, so that it meets their specific needs and interests.

The Portfolio intervenes across four interrelated pillars Pillar 1: Voice and Representation Pillar 2: Rights and Justice Pillar 3: Strong and Efficient Institutions Pillar 4: Social Cohesion. These four service lines are linked with the Country Programme Document (CPD), which is jointly endorsed by the Sri Lankan Government and UNDP.

In this context the Portfolio Manager, manages overall implementation of work undertaken across the four pillars of the Portfolio. This includes managing timely implementation of projects, as per approved work plans, and management of financial and human resources across the Portfolio.

Summary of key functions 

1.Overall management and supervision of implementation of the SDG-16 portfolio in line with UNDP’s and local partners’ priorities and approved agreements, and as per UNDP operational policies and guidelines. This includes management and coordination of a larger team of project staff based in the Colombo and field deployments.

2.Establish an effective monitoring and evaluation system and ensure quality and timely reporting according to UNDP and donor reporting schedules.

3.Develop, strengthen and maintain constructive working relations and partnerships with key partners and counterparts, including government officials, other development partners, UN entities and civil society. 

4. Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area
 

• Ensure technical coherence, quality and standard throughout the programme and its project components;
• Maintain close working relations with national and local partners to ensure optimum programme impact as well as participation and ownership by national authorities and other partners, including civil society;
• Lead and direct programme work planning in all its aspects, including forecasting of programme requirements timing and priorities, budgeting, work distribution and tasking to ensure satisfactory progress and timely completion of the overall programme and its constituent project components;
• Supervise and manage the work of project staff in Colombo and the field, and conduct performance assessments as per agreed TORs and workplans;
• Ensure close coordination, harmonized planning and information exchange with the nationally implemented components of the Programme.
• Adhere to UNDP’s rules and regulations and internal control mechanisms in the areas of contracting, assets, procurement, recruitment etc, as required. Serve as approval authority for financial transactions in the system up to designate level, as required. 
• Be responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient utilization of all programme financial and human resources with a view to maximizing programme performance and impact;
• Encourage and find opportunities for cross-pillar synergies, identify cross-cutting issues and work to advance enablers such as digital and innovation. 
• Identify opportunities for bringing on board international experiences and best practice to the portfolio.
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned from the programme for organizational learning

Establishan effective monitoring and evaluation system and ensure quality and timely reporting according to country office and donor reporting schedules:

• Establish an effective monitoring and evaluation system, to track and measure results of activities in line with the TOC. This includes ensuring continuous data collection, including field level data collection systems. 
• Ensure timely and accurate input to the Country Office for compliance with programme-related UNDP and donor reporting obligations and requirements (includes drafting of annual progress report).
• Ensure periodic collection of case studies, human interest stories, new partnerships and best practices for inclusion in donor reports, the UNDP newsletter and UNDP website.
• Advance communications and visibility of results in close collaboration with the Communications Team. 
• Support/facilitate external evaluation, audits and donor assessments;

Develop, strengthen and maintain constructive working relations and partnerships with key partners and counterparts, including government officials, other development partners, UN entities and civil society.

• Support the country office to strengthen partnership/donor relationship management including visibility, strategic engagement and  advise senior management to establish link with results and resource mobilisation efforts in line with the overall CPD;
• Strengthen and maintain a substantive network of partnerships with relevant counterparts at different levels, civil society organizations, national NGOs, the private sector, implementing partners, other UN entities and the donor community;
• Support the country office to meet resource mobilization targets including by leading development of donor proposals and maintaining a responsive partnership liaison system;
• Guide and oversee implementation of an effective communication strategy to promote and foster awareness about the programmes among its multiple stakeholders and the public at large;
• Contribute, as much as possible to national policy dialogues and stakeholder groups to promote and strengthen UNDP support to policy advice and capacity building at the national level.
• At the national and district levels, UNDP’s role in and support to inclusive development is strengthened, and entrusted resources effectively and efficiently delivered.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas. 

• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia. 
• Ensure portfolio reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application. 
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and portfolio related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the portfolio facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with portfolio partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area. 
• Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the portfolio partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff. 

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

Key Indicators:

• Achievement of results as identified in approved programme and project agreements, and programme planning frameworks
• Effective and efficient delivery of financial resources in line with the above.
• Mobilization of additional resources (financial and other) in support of the work of the programme
• Expanded partnership with the programmes and initiatives of other UN system agencies, bilateral and multilateral organizations; NGO/CBO actors in Sri Lanka
• Feedback from partner surveys, independent evaluations and assessments, audit etc.
• Quality of reporting, monitoring and improvements introduced into the programme and its project component

The Portfolio Manager will work under the supervision of the Policy Specialist & Team Leader, Inclusive Governance Team with 6 direct reports under the position holder.
 

• 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 competencies: 

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

2030 Agenda: 

• Peace: Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions: Early Warning and Social Cohesion
• People Gender: Gender Mainstreaming.
• Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness: Programming principles & standards and development effectiveness principles 

Business Management: 

• Partnership Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide network of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.

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 on other parts of the system.

Required Skills and Experience