Programme Assistant - NPSA 5

Office/Unit/Project Description

Since 2013, UNDP has been at the forefront of the Syria crisis response through its Sub-regional Response Facility (SRF). The latter has been co-managing the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) with UNHCR since 2015. The 3RP brings together more than 270 humanitarian and development partners to work together under a single plan to address both the immediate and longer-term needs of refugees, host communities and host countries (Lebanon, Jordan, Turkiye, Iraq and Egypt). 3RP regional planning and monitoring efforts are coordinated by a UNDP-UNHCR Joint Secretariat (JS), hosted by the SRF at the RBAS Regional Hub in Amman. Within this framework, the SRF has lead responsibilities in guiding programming planning, monitoring, reporting and advocacy on resilience and solutions interventions.

The SRF will capitalize on its vast experience gained under the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) and will leverage relevant expertise in UNDP as needed, to address displacement-related needs, create early-on the pathways towards sustainable responses, strengthen local and national capacities to respond, and prevent, the impact of crises. SRF will ensure engagement with donors, private sector, IFIs, foundations and philanthropies, among others, before, during the onset of, and in protracted crises.

Over the coming year, SRF embarks on a strategic ‘Thought Leadership Series’ with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, to advance resilience-based development through strategic philanthropy in the Arab region. This initiative aims to address the complex socio-economic challenges faced by the youth, including education, employment, and self-reliance, through a series of strategic convenings, exchanges of lessons and experiences, and the production of knowledge, involving philanthropists, practitioners, researchers, policymakers, donors and other stakeholders from various sectors.

Scope of work

Under the overall supervision of the SRF Coordinator, and under the day-to-day supervision of the Policy and Resilience Specialist, the incumbent will perform below mentioned duties and responsibilities.

1. Provide research, coordination, and Programme management support to the SRF operation

• Support SRF to ensure timely implementation of the relevant work plans, including in the organization and minutes-taking of regional workshops, meetings including project boards, follow-up on action points, carry out relevant research tasks, draft talking points and briefing documents, events’ concept notes and reports, invitations and registration..etc
• Ensure smooth coordination with procurement and logistics’ colleagues for workshop venue and travel bookings.
• Support in developing results-based/outcome reports of regional and/or country focused initiatives, and other relevant documents..etc.
• Facilitate the work of consultants, e.g., communications and compendium development, including identifying and coordinating with relevant stakeholders, timely preparation of payments with all supporting documentation.
• Set up and maintain all relevant files for the various initiatives, including contracts and financial and narrative reports in line with UNDP policies.
• Support strengthening partnership with development partners through the preparation of MOUs, advocacy and communication material, knowledge products.
• Support in strengthening the linkages between the private sector and philanthropies within the context of crisis response and innovation.

2. Provide research and programme management related support to the SRF team

• Support SRF in the preparation of proposals, concept notes and terms of reference.
• Assist in conducting desk reviews and research by collecting, compiling, summarizing, and drafting relevant literature and policy documents.
• Establish and maintain the SRF knowledge database on the SharePoint and share with relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Assist in proof-reading and inputting into research/ policy papers/ policy briefs.
• Provide administrative and logistical support in case of the organization of relevant SRF events and workshops.

3. Support knowledge building and sharing with stakeholders

• Help organize and participate in training sessions for CO staff and other stakeholders on programme-related topics.
• Contributions to the development of knowledge products and to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary by the head of unit.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical                         

Ethics

 UN policy knowledge – ethics: Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity    

Business management

Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals    

Administration & Operations

Events Management: Support projects with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.  

Administration and Operations 

Document and Records management: Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving             

Business management

Partnership 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, UN System Affairs, Communications, Public Partnerships

Public Relations: Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public 

Business Direction and Strategy

Entrepreneurial Thinking: Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements and relevant work experience

Secondary Education is required.

 University Degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Peace and Conflict studies and/or Development or relevant fields will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 5 years (with secondary education) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in providing  technical  and administrative support research, programme development and implementation in the UN, civil society, or in the private sector.        

Required skills

• Familiarity with the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) and/or the Syria Crisis;
• Proven experience in working inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners including the UN, private sector, civil society organizations..etc.;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research and produce quality reports;
• Experience with UN agencies and/or international development/humanitarian organizations;                                     
• Demonstrated experience in organizing workshops and drafting relevant reports.                                                                                                       

Required language(s) 

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.