Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a leave no one behind approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
The UNDP Strategic Plan (2022-2025) recognizes the complex, changing development landscape, the impact of COVD19 pandemic and recovery, the evolving needs of its partners and the need for pragmatic responses. The Africa Finance Sector Hub (AFSH)s work at regional and country level is aligned with the SDGs and the Africa Union Agenda 2063. The AFSH team collaborates with the broader UNDP family, the Global Policy Network, Regional Hubs in Africa and other units to establish synergies towards the broader SDGs Implementation and for greater impact.
The Project on Supporting Informal Enterprises Transition Towards Sustainable Growth and Formalization in the Africa Caribbean and Pacific Regions is an African, Caribbean and Pacific (OACPS) Group of States initiative, financed by the European Union and UNDP, and implemented by UNDP. It includes interventions at the macro, meso and micro levels of the informal sector ecosystem to foster growth and formalization. The project will ensure that these outcomes are achieved by 1) developing an integrated policy framework for formalization of informal enterprises and establishing relevant incentive schemes, 2) improving access to finance through the development of new digital financial services and enhanced capitalization opportunities for financial intermediaries, 3) strengthening the capacities of informal sector intermediaries and aggregators to promote market participation, and 4) establish targeted sectoral collective action platforms to address systemic gaps to sustainable growth and formalization, and 5) enhancing the regional exchange of knowledge and resources throughout the OACPS countries.
The AFSH is looking for an experienced Project Specialist to provide technical and coordination support to project implementation, mobilize, oversee implementation, and ensure quality assurance of external expertise to the project.
Duties And Responsibilities
The Project Supporting Informal Enterprises Transition Towards Sustainable Growth and Formalization is being implemented in partnerships with International Labour Organization (ILO) in three target countries (Mozambique, Sierra Leone, The Solomon Islands, ) and beyond. The successful candidate will provide technical, coordination, oversee implementation, support with quality assurance within the following areas:
Provide technical services and related quality assurance of the project deliverables focusing on achievement of the project outputs.
- Provides support to Country Offices based national country coordinators to ensure the planning and effective implementation of high-quality deliverables and the required quality assurance;
- Oversee the content and organization of capacity-building and training activities;
- Support grantees and implementing partners to achieve project objectives;
- Support grant management and related technical assistance.
- Support and guide the ecosystem platform facilitators in the target countries;
- Supports in implementation of ecosystem platform action plans;
- Support the implementation of ecosystem grants;
- Organize field visits to monitor grant implementation as per conditions stipulated in the contract.
- Provide leadership and technical advice and develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting;
- Lead the implementation of project monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations and other problems; and make needed course corrections within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP management;
- Lead the development and conduct of mid-term and annual reviews, and end line assessment; and coordinate the conduct of independent evaluations. Follow up on the implementation of decisions, recommendations, and course corrections;
- Manage and monitor project risks, including social and environmental risks, initially identified and submit new risks to appropriate project governing bodies for consideration and decision on possible actions;
- Coordinate the preparation of project, donor and steering committee reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant entities.
- 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 project 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 project related issues.;
- Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDPs engagement in this area;
- Promote advocacy for UNDPs work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development in the informal economy sector in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP Country Office communications staff.
The Project Specialist will work within the AFSH Private Sector Unit and under the strategic guidance of its Team Leader, with direct reporting to the Informal Economy Project Manager.
Competencies
CORE
- 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
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
- 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
- Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels
- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Required Skills and Experience
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics Business administration, Public Administration, Finance, Digital Finance/Fintech, Development Studies or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelors degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Minimum 5 years (with masters degree) or 7 years (with bachelors degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management private sector development, economic development, informal sector enterprise development issues, MSME development, and/or access to finance particularly inclusive digital finance;
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office including M&E Project Dashboards tools is needed;
- Proven experience in coordinating mobilization, providing technical backstopping, overseeing implementation and ensuring quality control of external expertise is needed;
- Experience in project monitoring, especially with EU and OACPS funded projects is preferable;
- Proven Knowledge of UNDPs Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) is a strong asset.
- Hands on experience in supporting the coordination of complex project activities and their concurrent implementation by the Country Offices and various partners is a clear advantage;
- Experience with integrated approaches and innovative solutions to address development challenges on the informal sector including through inclusive growth, markets and business models & ecosystem development is important;
- Previous work experience with a UN organization and other international development organizations is strongly desirable.;
- Knowledge and proven ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships , and remove any obstacles that hinder implementation of the informal Economy project.
- Fluency in English is required.
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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