Chief, Performance Division

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.

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

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The Operational Performance Management Team is a group of internal UNDP management and performance analysts available  to support UNDP business units worldwide to improve  management and operational performance in line with UNDP’s Strategic Plan. This team is comprised of data analysts, as well as management and organization change advisors. The team is housed in the Office of Budget, Performance and Compliance.  The team can be deployed globally to coordinate and deliver management consulting services globally.

The Performance Division contributes to the advancement of UNDP’s operational performance and organizational effectiveness by bringing industry-standard knowledge, advisory services, and data analytics for performance improvements and enhancements to UNDP’s overall day-to-day business. The Performance Division Chief reports to the BPC Director with an indirect reporting line to the BMS Director.
 
The Division Chief leads a team that covers a broad range of issues that include but are not limited to After Action Reviews (AAR), management assessments,  quality assurance of services through the creation and implementation of customer service survey, standards and the creation of service level agreements, as well as substantive collaboration with Regional and Central Bureaus to help shape and advance UNDP’s operational performance. S/he oversees the day to day work, and monitors services provided to clients both internally and externally.

The Division Chief manages the staff and services of the unit, and contributes to the coordination, training and engagement with clients. S/he works in close collaboration with other units in both BPC and BMS writ large, in the delivery of services. S/he promotes a client, quality and results-oriented approach through the following functions:

1. Management and development of the Performance Division and their work products;
2. Coordination of operational effectiveness and improvement strategies & services including client relationship management;
3. Quality assurance of the division’s work products and knowledge/content creation for shared learning across the organization;
4. Leadership of complex management assessments and data analytics to inform internal operational improvements in both HQ and the field; and
5. Substantive contributions to UNDP’s strategic performance effectiveness and improvement practices as outlined in the Strategic Plan.

Management and development of the Performance Division and their Work Products

• Build a team of high-performing management analysts and Advisors as well as data analysts with the composite skill sets to provide dedicated support to UNDP offices for business transformations.
• Help facilitate time-bound deployments of multifunctional teams.
• Assist in identifying technical resources for internal management assessments, including building relations and partnerships with private sector and other UN organizations with the goal of increasing collaborating on bringing innovation to management improvement practices of the organization.
• Strengthen the existing network of internal UNDP Program and Operations Managers on business transformation and change management, including preparation and facilitation of structured knowledge exchange initiatives and applied learning through management assessments and other engagements.
• Ensure that the collaborative tools of the Division (dashboards, workspaces, networks, outreach and communications channels, etc.) are being updated and improved.
• Promote access to best available expertise and organizational learning for division staff.

Coordination of operational effectiveness and improvement strategies & services including  client relationship management

• Manage UNDP’s internal management consulting platform through which offices/units may request support services, and UNDP executive leaders can leverage dedicated resources to drive the refinement and realization of high-impact business transformation and organizational change agendas.
• Provide forward-looking analysis on operational performance to UNDP’s Executive and Country Office leaders to highlight priority areas for change management and business transformation engagement.
• Scope management assessments and other organizational improvements engagements with clients to ensure a comprehensive understanding of management challenges and opportunities, to develop an effective roadmap for organizational change.
• Develop technical proposals, implementation plans, and communication/engagement strategies to be used by clients in managing change.
• Provide guidance to external consultants supporting business transformation and organizational change in  conjunction with other BMS units in UNDP.
• Ensure assessment teams deliver high-quality analysis and actionable recommendations for end products.
• Monitor implementation of recommendations to ensure organizational change is/has occurring/ed.

Quality assurance of division’s work products and knowledge/content creation for shared learning across the organization

• Serve as a subject matter expert  for performance management improvements including change management and business transformation practices.
• Contribute to innovation in the management practice in UNDP through research and development, distillation of industry best practices and engagement of management analysts to inform the provision of client services in this arena.
• Support the unit in the development customer services surveys, customer services standards and other services level agreements to improve the organization’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Identify headquarters and country office management challenges and help develop solutions including changes to policies, business processes and standard operating procedures.
• Develop communication strategies, and lead presentations of findings resulting from management reviews and assessments, based on the work of the division.

4.    Leadership of complex management assessments and data analytics to inform internal operational improvements in both HQ and the field

• Ensure appropriate stakeholder consultation protocols are developed and managed in complex engagements.
• Provide oversight in the development of templates and other assessments tools as well data related to performance indicators for engagements with client offices.  
• In consultation with BMS leadership, design and facilitate business transformation and change management tasks including corporate initiatives, and/or internal knowledge sharing, which are focused on driving systems change.

Substantive contributions to UNDP’s strategic performance effectiveness and improvement practices as outlined in the Strategic Plan

• Work with BMS leadership to create task teams or working groups to address operational performance issues on an ad hoc leadership.
• Contribute to operational effectives of BMS service provision by advising the BMS Director, Deputy Director and supporting the BMS Offices Directors as needed.
• Work closely with and support activities complementary to those of the divisions including the GPN, Regional and Central bureaus to support performance improvement and organizational change.
• Leverage operations and program/policy practices to spotlight opportunities and risks in UNDP business model and organizational performance.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Core

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional

Change Management

• Ability to apply a systematic approach to adapt, control and effect change

Strategic Planning / Visioning

• Ability to analyze the organization’s value proposition and shape visionary/long term plans.  

Service Delivery Coordination

• Ability to coordinate and deliver services in line with service level agreements and standards of excellence in UNDP.

Client Relationship Management

• Ability to develop trust among clients while delivering solutions with integrity and responsiveness.

Organizational Design

• Ability to align resources and organizational structures as well as work approaches and culture to enable global collaboration. with clear accountability.

Partnerships

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Education:

• Master's degree in social policy, public policy, politics, economics, development studies or a related area.

Experience:

• Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in performance management (e.g. monitoring and evaluation functions), and data analytics c is required at the national or international level, including at least two years of management responsibilities of similar size and complexity.
• Proven supervisory experience of at least two years.
• Successful candidates should have experience with team-based management and workshop facilitation.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) required.  

Language Requirements:

• Written and verbal fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

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