Joint Programme Coordinator - SDGs

The realisation of the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require not only a significant increase in investment but also more effective ways of bringing together increasingly diverse sources of financing and channelling these to development results. This certainly creates a challenge and will therefore require countries like Botswana and other developing economies to take a comprehensive and integrated approach to financing for development. 

The Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) of 2015 and the 2017 report of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development called for the establishment of holistic and forward-looking financing framework, say an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF). This national level planning and delivery tool considers the ever-expanding diversity of development resources for the realisation of the SDGs, and ultimately the national development priorities.

While each building block is essential in an INFF, country specific contexts would determine the amount of effort and importance countries place on each of the elements. In view of this, the application of the INFF process in Botswana will be informed by the development context of the country in terms of financing for development.

Botswana is one of few countries in Africa and among developing countries that has made significant progress to be where it is today, as an upper middle-income country with a GDP per capita of $8,258.64 with a human development index of 0.728. Despite this progress, the economy continues to be dominated by a single export-oriented product and income inequality measured by the Gini coefficient remains relatively high at 53.3. Revenue from the mineral sector, primarily diamond exports in the trade account, and revenue from customs and excise taxes account for over fifty percent of total government revenue and grants. For instance, in the 2020/2021 National Budget, which was estimated at Pula (P) 62.39 billion, the mineral revenue  was estimated at P20.02 billion and the customs and excise revenue portion estimated at P15.38 billion.

In response to the call to address the above challenges faced by Botswana, the UN System in Botswana worked with the Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to develop a Joint UN-Government Proposal to submit for the Joint SDG Fund. The Fund is inspired by the United Nations Secretary-General’s reform of the United Nations Development System, which called for proposals in December 2019 to support countries, as they accelerate their progress toward the achievement of the SDGs and the realisation of their national development priorities. The Fund is an inter-agency, pooled mechanism for integrated policy support and strategic financing to national governments under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO). It focuses on the design and operationalization of integrated national financing frameworks (INFFs). The primary goal of the Fund is to support countries to identify innovative sources of financing to enhance the capacity of countries to accelerate their progress toward the achievement of the SDGs, and ultimately the national development priorities.

Therefore, the UN Country Team, under the leadership of Resident Coordinator, and in collaboration with the Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) developed the Joint SDG Fund proposal, which was approved by the United Nations Headquarters for funding for a period of two years, commencing 1 July 2020 to June 2022. There are four participating United Nations Organisations (PUNOs)-UNDP, UNICEF, UNWOMEN, and UNFPA-that will work with the MFED and other sector ministriesdepartments, and agencies (MDAs) and other development actors to support the implementation of the Joint Programme. 

The implementation of the Joint Programme is about to be rolled out under the leadership of the MFED and the UNRCO with technical support from the four PUNOs and involvement of other development partners such as the World Bank, European Union, bilateral partners, private sector, civil society, and academic and research institutions. In this regard, the UNRCO seeks the services of a Joint Programme Coordinator whose primary objective will be to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Joint Programme.

The Programme Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the UNRCO through the Economist and will report to the co-chairs of the SDGs Steering Committee, which will have representatives from all PUNOs, MFED, civil society, private sector, bilateral and other multilateral partners, academia, etc.

In this role, the Programme Coordinator will be responsible for Joint Programme Management of ensuring quality results by:

• Overseeing and coordinating the implementation of the joint programme on a day-to-day basis;
• Overseeing monitoring, and evaluation activities of the programme including Joint Budget Management, coordinating and consolidating joint narrative and financial reporting and effective monitoring and evaluation;
• Managing partnerships, policy, resource mobilization and advocacy efforts, and;
• Facilitating knowledge management and sharing.

1.   Oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Joint Programme on a day-to-day basis.

• Oversee the day-to-day coordination and implementation of the programme interventions, such as but not exclusive to, planning, budgeting, and general monitoring in close collaboration with all PUNOs, the MFED, other relevant development actors and the Steering Committee;
• Support the SDGs Secretariat in facilitating the effective functioning of the Steering Committee, including supporting the organisation of meetings, preparing agendas in consultation with stakeholders, documenting the proceedings and ensuring timely management and dissemination of information;
• Assist in facilitating engagement of the PUNOs in discussing and agreeing on policy and strategic issues and related documents prior to the submission to the Steering Committee, as well as operational matters (M&E, Human Resources, etc.) requiring its attention and approval.
• Oversee the process of reviewing consolidated work plans and budgets, development of annual programme delivery targets, drafting reports and other strategic documents from the Technical Committee and/or PUNOs prior to submission to the Steering Committee;
• Facilitate full compliance with the operational rules and regulations of the UNSDG in such areas as procurement, human resources and finance, etc.;
• Undertake any other actions related to the Joint Programme, as may be required by the Steering Committee.

2. Oversee monitoring, and evaluation activities of the programme including Joint Budget Management, coordinating and consolidating joint narrative and financial reporting

• Set direction for effective monitoring and evaluation priorities in accordance with the Joint Programme rules and regulations;
•  Manage the formation of programme technical experts to ensure achievement of programme results;
• Support and coordinate the development of overall effective monitoring and evaluation plan for the programme interventions and put in place proper mechanisms and timely reporting by all PUNOs in line with the Joint Programme rules and regulations;

• Support close financial and procurement oversight and monitoring of all activities of the programme, including monitoring the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds in line with annual work plan and reporting requirements;
• In consultation with PUNOs, prepare necessary financial documentation to enable the Steering Committee to review and approve financial allocations based on programme priorities, commitments and expenditure rates;
• Facilitate the effective management of the programme budgets and ensure timely and accurate reporting;
• Perform oversight, quality assurance, monitoring, reporting, field missions, audits, evaluations, formulations and programme support services providing day-to-day guidance by enhancing teamwork within the programme and with other actors;
• Monitor progress on agreed Joint Programme Results Framework and performance indicators;
• Identify areas of improvement by applying best practices and lessons learnt using the Joint Programme corporate monitoring and evaluation tools and reporting;
• Coordinate and facilitate quarterly review meetings and annual programme reviews;
• Facilitate dissemination of Joint Programme Performance and reports as per the the Joint Programme rules and regulations
• Monitor and manage any strategic risks/issues facing the programme; submit new risks/issues to the Steering Committee for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; and update the status of these risks/issues by maintaining the Programme Risks/Issues Log.

3.  Manage partnerships, policy, resource mobilization and advocacy efforts in line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA)

• Facilitate and support strategic partnerships with the private sector and specific programme partners;
• Where required, provide relevant programme advice to facilitate sector engagement with other relevant actors;
• Set and manage expectations of all development partners and the day-to-day interaction with these partners;
• Seek and identify additional partnership and funding opportunities, and oversee the preparation of funding proposals, partners’ briefing and presentations in support of resource mobilization to advance the programme goals;
• Mobilize and facilitate strategic partnerships with all UN Agencies and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and relevant multilateral and bilateral partners to advance and support the implementation of the programme; and

Foster and enhance collaboration with relevant Government sector ministries, departments and agencies by working closely with them to facilitate smooth implementation of the programme.

4.  Facilitate knowledge management and sharing

• Facilitate dissemination of information and knowledge management for effective programme implementation and documentation for institutional memory;
• Facilitate regular assessment of strategic interventions and action plans, identifying areas of emphasis to guide programme improvements and future direction of the programme;
• Use sound judgment in all programme communications and ensure that they meet the needs of different audiences (government, private sector, civil society, development partners, academia, etc.);
• Manage stakeholder expectations and participate in communication activities to inform stakeholders of progress and issues;
• Establish and maintain a usable, auditable and well-communicated records of the programme;
• Lead the process of knowledge management and dissemination related to national, regional and global know-how in the subject area. In this context, partner with practitioners and members of the national think tanks, PUNOs global networks, leadership of the practice and sub-practice teams in the area of the SDGs and SDG Fund, recruitment process, change management, and other related knowledge management services;
• Ensure proper coordination with Regional Hubs and UNHQ;
• Communicate progress, risks, expectations, timelines, milestones and other key programme metrics to clients and team members;
• Organize internal and external networks or communities of practice covering prominent experts in government, non-government, think tanks, private sector, international development organizations and the UN system;
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the programme knowledge networks and practices and development of knowledge products, and;
• Represent the programme with development partners, governments at national, regional and global forums, whenever required.

Functional Competencies

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise

• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
• Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in primary discipline, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, as well as in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures;
• Applies a broad knowledge of best management practices, defines objectives and workflows, positions reporting relationships in such a way as to obtain maximum effectiveness for the programme;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in areas of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop her/himself personally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in all work assignments;
• Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement;
• Possesses ability to lead strategic planning, result-based management and reporting;
• Possesses excellent work/programme planning skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complex, ever-changing environments;
• Possesses ability to lead implementation and monitoring of programme deliverables; and
• Possesses ability to formulate and manage budgets, and mobilise resources.

Result Based Programme Development and Management

• Uses variety of Joint Programme resources to achieve results;
• Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
• Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals and objectives;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside the UN System;
• Is highly motivated and results driven; and
• Ensures the full implementation of programme activities and financial resources to obtain results.

Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Builds consensus concerning the strategic agenda of Joint Programmes with partners on joint initiatives;
• Dialogues effectively with national counterparts and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen advocacy and policy efforts, incorporating country, regional and global perspectives; and
• Advocates for increasing priority given to human development and inclusive growth issues, as well as gender consideration.

Innovation and Judgment

• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and creative thinking;
• Conceptualizes more effective approaches to programme development, implementation and mobilization and use of resources;
• Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate;
• Contributes creative, practical ideas and demonstrates sense of leadership ability to deal with challenging situation; and
• Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking actions.

Client Orientation

• Demonstrates an understanding of client/partner perspective;
• Anticipates constraints in the programme delivery and identifies solutions or alternatives;
• Identifies, develops, and discusses solutions with internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new and innovative interventions; and
• Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to programmes and operations in support of the development aspirations of the Government and people of Botswana.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes UN system as a learning organization;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
• Has excellent knowledge of monitoring best practices;
• Has excellent communication skills (written and oral), demonstrating sensitivity and responsiveness to all partners;

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Makes effective use of UN System’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships;
• Demonstrates experience of working with government counterparts, especially on building successful partnerships across all actors;
• Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations; and
• Has strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a broad range of actors with a view to build relationships and facilitate links.
• Maintains respectful and helpful relationships with all UN agencies, national counterparts, civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, private sector and development partners-multilateral and bilateral partners.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
• Builds support and political acumen;
• Builds staff competencies, creating an environment for creativity and innovation;
• Builds and promotes effective and emotionally intelligent teams;
• Adapts easily to rapidly changing, multiple pressing demand work context;
• Leverages conflict in the interest of the UN and sets standards;
• Shares knowledge across the UN System and amongst partners and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Cultivates fair and transparent decision-making and calculated risk-taking; and
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Education : 

Post Graduate degree (Masters) from a reputable institution, preferably in programme management, business administration, development studies, economics, public policy or other related disciplines.

Experience :

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant, practical working experience within public sector, private sector and/or a development organization; 

Exposure to the design, implementation and management of pro-poor initiatives and development projects/programmes;

Experience working with government counterparts and other stakeholders at high levels;

Strong technical knowledge and expertise of the SDGs, Financing for Development, as well as other strategic development frameworks of Botswana such as the Vision 2036, NDPs, DDPs and UDPs;

Strong leadership, management, negotiation and project/programme management skills;

Strong ability to work as part of a team and actively pursuing networking;

Strong ability to lead and manage change environment;

Strong coordination, monitoring and evaluation skills of projects/programmes.

Strong understanding of the UN System and its values would be an advantage;

Excellent computer skills and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Language Requirements :

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply. The selection process will be fair and transparent.