Background

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. 

Although the Bissau-Guinean Constitution is founded on democratic principles like sovereignty of the people, rule of law, separation of powers, and human rights, governance in Guinea-Bissau faces significant hurdles. These include political instability since independence, remnants of centralized colonial governance, and ongoing political-military dynamics.

The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Guinea-Bissau, as a key government partner in governance, has been developing and implementing various projects in a variety of governance related domains, including rule of law, local governance, electoral and parliamentary support, and human rights.

UNDP-Guinea-Bissau works with several donors in the area of governance, namely, the Embassy of Japan in Dakar, the PBF-Fund, and the Government of Switzerland, EU and AfDB. All these partners focus on the improvement of services, the empowerment of the population, and accountability measures.

The work developed under several projects and donors requires coordination and alignment of priorities and strategies. In this context, within the new project supported by the AfDB, UNDP is recruiting a “Programme Manager” to manage and coordinate the overall intervention of the project to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the agreed activities while achieving all objectives set out in the project document, ensuring coherence of approaches and results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of UNDP Head of the Democratic Governance Team, the Programme Manager, Catalytic Investments for Sustainable Resilience in Transition State – CISRET will assume the tasks and responsibilities as follows:

Ensure implementation of project activities:

• Ensure the overall day-to-day management and implementation of project output and activities as outlined in the project document.
• Provide strategic guidance and management oversight to ensure the project is implemented in a
• cohesive manner ensuring that it achieves the planned results.
• Assist in the preparation of Annual Work Plans (AWP) and mid-year, annual and final narrative reports.
• Liaise with national partners and donors to ensure smooth implementation of all project activities.
• Provide project management support to national implementing partners.

Provide effective programmatic assurance and implement assurance activities:

• Monitor progress of implementation and update, when relevant, the AWPs.
• Monitor timely implementation of planned activities, assess the progress toward and the achievement of planned targets;
• Support preparation and review, as required, project reports (quarterly, annual and final) and ad- hoc documents to ensure that project reports are consistent with relevant standards and ensure timely submission.

Facilitate knowledge building and management:

• Analyse new and emerging policy and strategy initiatives at national (national laws and regulations) and international (UN-system) levels, prepare briefings and advice UNDP Management on the implications for the implementation framework of the project.
• Actively promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture between the projects and the CO.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work as part of the Governance Team. He/she will work under the direct guidance and supervision of the Governance Team Leader,

Competencies

Core competencies:

• 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 / Project Management

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

Business / Partnerships Management

• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.

Business / Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society, and private sector partners.

General (across the functions)  Relationship management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Administration & Operations (Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)

• Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Finance (Budget management)

• Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Business Direction & Strategy (System Thinking)

• 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Academic Education:

• University degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in Law, Development Studies, Political Sciences, international human right law, humanitarian law, Peacebuilding or relevant related is required.

Or

• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant experience

• A minimum of 2 years (with Master’s Degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the fields of business, Law, Development Studies, Political Sciences, international human right law, humanitarian law, Peacebuilding is required.

Required skills and competencies:

• Excellent logistics skills or experience in organizing and successfully delivering high- level political events.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet, e- mail) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems are required

Desired skills in addition to the competencies

• Experience in programme implementation governance, peacebuilding and human rights project.
• Experience coordinating projects and activities between different UN agencies.
• Experience in Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights.
• Experience working with UNDP or other UN agencies. Experience working with UN administration is an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in the UN language English and French is required.
• Knowledge of Portuguese is an asset.

Travel:

The Project Manager will be expected to travel to the regions when required by the project.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials

Disclaimer 

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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