NCE Regional Programme Associate

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

UNDP’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan emphasizes the critical links between environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and broader efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP’s Nature, Climate Change, and Energy (NCE) Team promotes and scales up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.

The NCE Team works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming on environment, climate change, and energy. This multi-billion dollar portfolio encompasses: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests; Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems; Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS; Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Renewable and Modern Energy; Extractive Industries; Chemicals and Waste Management; Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approaches. This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning. UNDP's Nature, Climate and Energy practice spans 137 countries, with a portfolio directly benefiting 86 million people. Our support to Governments focusses on enabling an inclusive, resilient, green recovery by: building competency to accelerate access to sustainable energy and climate and nature-positive policies and finance; scaling capacity to ensure No One is Left Behind; catalyzing SDG and Paris-aligned investments (public and private); delivering client-focused solutions that respond to countries' immediate, mid- and long-term recovery and socio-economic development priorities; and leveraging our on-the-ground presence and networks to unlock bottom-up solutions that deliver lasting impacts at country level.

In addition to UNDP’s bilateral partnerships on nature climate and energy, UNDP is an accredited multilateral implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Multilateral Fund (MLF), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which includes the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF Trust Fund); the Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund (NPIF); the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF); and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF). As part of UNDP’s partnership with these vertical funds, UNDP provides countries specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme formulation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.  The Nature, Climate and Energy Team focuses on managing the oversight of climate and environmental financial resources from global trust funds to catalyze and unlock other types of public and private financing for sustainable development. This includes oversight of the design as well as implementation phase of projects (together with Country Offices and Regional Bureaus), as well as portfolio level oversight and management.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs) and direct coordination and guidance of the corresponding Regional Team Leader (RTL), the Regional Programme Associate will facilitate the effective delivery of portfolio in Asia and the Pacific, by providing support and oversight throughout the development, implementation, monitoring/evaluation and closure of vertical funds projects. This includes effective portfolio data management and monitoring to maximize COs' timely compliance with UNDP and various vertical fund requirements.

The Regional Programme Associate will work in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, and Project teams in the CO and NCE HQs global team/staff to resolve complex programme-related issues and to ensure a consistent quality service delivery.

Summary of key functions:

1. Management and Support to projects under development (pipeline);
2. Monitoring and support to projects (after approval from Vertical Funds – GEF/GCF);
3. Portfolio Monitoring and Support (includes projects under development and under implementation);
4. Country Office Capacity Support;
5. Self-Development, Learning, Knowledge Management.

1. Management and Support to projects under development (pipeline)

• Coordinate document processing related to project development in the region (regional and country level projects) as relevant to all stages of the project cycle;
• Collection, analysis and checking for accuracy and consistency of information against established formats;
• Updating the team project database e.g. Project Information Management System (PIMS);
• Tracking required information for project completion and/or processing requirements;
• Timely and pro-active follow-up on correspondence with project proponents, Country Offices (COs) and NCE Headquarters; and
• Conduct final quality check of documentation for submission ensuring accuracy and compliance with formats and guidelines according to the established SOPs.

Expected Results: Projects under development are fully compliant with UNDP and Vertical Fund requirements.

2. Monitoring and support to projects (after approval from Vertical Funds)

• Effective and timely communication to COs on the processes relating to Delegation of Authority (DOA) and ensure COs receive a DOA Letter, the approved final UNDP Project Document, and any other associated/necessary documents and requested clearance (including financial and technical clearance) once the team receives an approval/endorsement from a source of funds;
• Ensures Annual Work Plans are submitted for Regional Technical Advisor’s (RTA) approval and Authorized Spending Limit (ASL) issuance;
• Support the Regional Technical Advisors in reviewing projects' annual and multi-year work plans in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with Donor requirements in terms of budgeting and identify irregularities;
• Assist the Management and Programme Support Analyst in regional portfolio analysis, in particular, ensuring all data necessary for the analysis is collected from COs and consistent for any specific projects under his/her portfolio;
• Assist COs in completing budget revision processes in time for on-going projects under his/her portfolio.

Expected Results: Effective monitoring and timely support to projects after vertical funds’ endorsement ensuring all UNDP and respective vertical fund timelines and milestones are met.

3. Portfolio Monitoring and Support (includes projects under development and under implementation)

• Ensure all project information in the database (PIMS) is correct and up to date at all time from the creation of a project in PIMS until the project’s operational and financial closure for projects under his/her portfolio;
• Actively monitor project delivery and submission of progress reports and budget revisions for the region, identifying reasons for shortfall in delivery and alert RTAs of any projects with concerns;
• Undertake financial monitoring of the portfolio in the region and analyze individual projects’ budgets and budget revisions in close coordination with the COs and RTAs;
• Assist in all aspects of regional portfolio management, including tracking of standard project related management actions, monitoring and evaluation requirements and progress reports (TPR/APR, PIR) including processing of required documentation;
• Maintains the electronic project data base fully updated and, where necessary, organizes and maintains hard-copy files of all projects and associated information and official documentation;
• Assist in the preparation, updating, and dissemination of PowerPoint and other presentations and in managing dissemination of information that describe the work and achievements of NCE via the media;
• Conduct financial follow-up and advise Country Offices (or executing agencies in case of regional or global projects without Project Principle Resident Representatives) with regard to the deployment of the funds and the project closure, as well as, the preparation of the quarterly reports flagging to the RTA any discrepancies, need for action, or progress in disbursement;
• Maintain close contact with COs on projects in varying stages of the project cycle, tracking project development and/or implementation progress against established time-frames for project maturation and/or the attainment of implementation milestones as indicated in project annual work plans, recommending courses of action as appropriate and bringing to the RTAs’ attention all technical issues that require attention/resolution;
• Draft correspondence and assist with other administrative tasks, as required;
• Backstop other members of the Team and performs ad-hoc tasks, as required, to ensure the Team will deliver at the highest standard;
• Support in all aspects of the organization of meetings, seminars, and workshops including making timely conference room booking, assisting in preparing, sending, and following up on invitations, agendas and/or background documentation, etc.

Expected Results: Effective monitoring and timely support to projects under implementation ensuring all UNDP and Vertical Funds’ timelines and milestones are met.

4. Country Office Capacity Support

• Responsible information flow between COs and HQ on the regional portfolio to meet all reporting requirements;
• In coordination with RTAs, advise environmental focal points on procedural issues, approval processes and associated timeframes related to vertical funds project cycle management, according to the UNDP POPP, the relevant Programming Manual, and any other appropriate Advisory Notes and guidelines;
• Assist COs, Asia and Pacific Team, or HQs on staff recruitment processes and consultant procurement processes, including the development of TORs, finalizing advertisements, long and short listing, organizing interviews, ensuring necessary records and documentation throughout the recruitment process, etc., as requested by RTAs;
• Work in close collaboration with the NCE Management and Programme Support Unit and the operations, programme and projects’ staff in COs as required for resolving complex issues related to project administration or portfolio management;
• Organize training programmes and workshops in the region as appropriate, including logistics, communications with COs, documentation requirements, and any other logistical and administrative support.

Expected Results: Country Offices are supported effectively and efficiently to ensure they meet UNDP and Vertical Fund timelines and milestones.

5. Self-Development, Learning, Knowledge Management

• Learn from and contribute to corporate knowledge tools including programming manual and PA training manuals;
• Organize and participate in NCE training programmes and workshops as required, oversee logistics, documentation, and preparation/review of budget and authorization of expenses;
• Coordinate focal area knowledge management activities. Manage dissemination of information through Power Point or similar means, resulting in public awareness of the work and achievements of the team;
• Undergo training in UNDP and vertical funds programme requirements.

Expected Results: The PA continually learns from and improves the effectiveness of corporate knowledge tools, training programmes, marketing and communications, and contributes to the overall NCE knowledge management.

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

• Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

• Knowledge of methodologies, tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting.

• The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.

• Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.

• Knowledge of managing trust funds including contributions, allocations, and delivery analysis. 

Education:

• Secondary education with at least 6 years of relevant experience preferably with specialized certification in Business or Public Administration, Finance or related area;
• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or other closely related fields with at least 3 years of relevant experience will also be accepted;
• Certification in project management would be an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of experience, or 3 years’ experience with a Bachelor’s degree, in programme/project management, financial resources management, budget management, and/or Administrative support functions;
• Extensive experience in project oversight and/or management highly desirable;
• Knowledge of tools and methodologies to follow-up on projects or project cycle management;
• Experience at the national or international level with organizations that manage grants or vertical funds is an advantage;
• Demonstrated interest in the environment is an asset;
• Mastery in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, as a minimum, database management as a plus) and demonstrated experience in web research;
• Good knowledge of an ERP System (such as Atlas) and UNDP programming and budget structure is required, with knowledge of procurement will be considered an advantage;
• Knowledge of vertical funds is an advantage. 

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Thai.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

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