Background

The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Uganda was established under UN General Assembly Resolution   A/RES/72/279 (2018) to strengthen the Resident Coordinator System and enhance coordination across the UN System. The RCO supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 (Cooperation Framework), aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan. Led by the Resident Coordinator (RC), the office coordinates the UN Country Team (UNCT) in planning, implementing, and monitoring development programs, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the UN Efficiency Agenda.

The Efficiency Agenda aims to enhance operational collaboration and service integration, ultimately improving programme delivery efficiency for both the UN and its partners.

Under the overall guidance of the OMT co-chairs and the Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), with contractual oversight by UNDP, the Operations Analyst provides technical support to the OMT and facilitates the implementation of the Efficiency Agenda.

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Uganda, the UN Operations Management Team (OMT) spearheads the UN Uganda “Efficiency Agenda,” focusing on cost avoidance, labor time efficiency, and service quality. This agenda aligns with the Uganda New Generation Business Operations Strategy 2021-2025, as approved by the UNCT. The OMT leads the implementation of coordinated, efficient, and effective common operational services, ensuring alignment with the UN Secretary-General’s targets for harmonized business operations at the country level. Key areas of focus include high-quality Business Operations Strategy (BOS), common premises, a common back office, harmonized location-dependent services, mutual recognition, client satisfaction, and transparent costing and pricing principles.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Actively provide support for the Functioning of the OMT:

• Organize and coordinate monthly OMT meetings, including agenda setting, communication with OMT working groups, and logistical arrangements (online or physical);
• Prepare and circulate relevant documents in advance of meetings;
• Provide secretariat support, including minute-taking and follow-up on action points;
• Develop and monitor OMT work plans, ensuring progress aligns with agreed deliverables;
• Draft communications from the OMT co-chairs to the UN Resident Coordinator, UNCT, and relevant stakeholders;
• Engage with government entities on cross-cutting protocol matters, including taxation and immigration, and provide strategic advice to co-chairs and RCO.

2) Ensure management of UN Common Services

• Oversee common services management, ensuring agreements and contracts remain up to date;
• Collaborate with OMT working groups to establish and maintain common operational agreements, such as Long-Term Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding, and service contracts;
• Support the operational harmonization of common services and premises both in and outside Kampala, including the UN Area Coordination level.

3)  Ensure technical and Administrative Support for the Efficiency Agenda

• Serve as the focal point for the UNCT regarding Efficiency Agenda initiatives, liaising with regional and headquarter offices;
• Facilitate follow-up activities, including the BOS 2.0 annual review, common premises mapping, and the implementation of the Common Back Office framework;
• Provide technical and administrative support for Efficiency Agenda implementation as directed by supervisors.

4)   Ensure and advise on Knowledge Management

• Lead periodic reporting on OMT-related activities, including utilizing the UN global reporting platform;
• Ensure knowledge-sharing mechanisms are in place to foster best practices and operational improvements.

The incumbent performs other duties by the supervisor to support the operational coherence of the UN system in Uganda.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise Programme support staff.

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 Competencies

Business Management : Results-based Management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Business Management:  Project Management

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

Business Management: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, priorities and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

Business Management : Risk Management

• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business Management: Working with Evidence and Data

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness

• Project Quality Assurance

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) ) in Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in development operations, coordination, and programme management;
• Experience within the UN system or international organizations is preferable;
• Proven familiarity with operational rules and procedures of UN entities is desirable;
• Expertise in resource mobilization, partnerships, and financing strategies is desirable;
• Experience in strategic planning, results-based management, and reporting is desirable.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

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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