Job Identification : 14205

Locations : Harare, Zimbabwe

Posting Date : 10/17/2023, 05:33 PM

Apply Before : 11/02/2023, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NOD

Vacancy Type : Fixed Term

Practice Area : Nature, Climate and Energy

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Africa

Contract Duration : 2 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 9 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English, Shona and/or Ndebele

Vacancy Timeline

2 Weeks

Mobility required/no mobility

no mobility required

Job Description

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.

The Poverty Reduction Environment and Climate Change Unit is structured to address two key Outcomes in the 2021-2025 Zimbabwe CPD namely Outcome 2: Environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resource management and Outcome 3: Economic transformation, equitable and inclusive growth. Under the Environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resource management pillar, the PRECC Unit supports the Government of Zimbabwe in implementing various international obligations defined under the following: the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC), Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SE4All), Sendai Framework, Biodiversity Convention and other MEAS. The Unit supports the implementation of national policies, strategies and targets set under national development plans focusing on the climate change, energy, agriculture, forestry, environment, waste management, and disaster risk reduction, bringing benefits to rural and urban poor particularly youth and women in most fragile landscapes and vulnerable situations through projects. Building on its whole-of-society and strong partnership approach for climate action, the PRECC Unit will expand partnerships and new forms of collaboration across sectors including building new non-traditional partnerships with private sector for enhanced diversified and clean production. The unit will also support national pro poor energy transition, broader low emissions development across all sectors in the country and develop new financing models that enable the country to pursue enhanced national climate response trajectory.

Economic transformation, equitable and inclusive growth pillar seeks to address the poverty challenge, focusing interventions at both macro and subnational levels. At macrolevel, the key priority for the Unit will be to strengthen institutional capacities to design and implement pro-poor national development strategies and policies in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) working closely with Government and other partners. Similarly, the Unit supports the capacity strengthening of subnational institutions to design and implement livelihood support interventions for increased productivity, income, and rural development as means of sustainably lifting target groups out of poverty. Particular focus will be on resolving unemployment challenges facing the youth aged 18-35 years – especially women through support to entrepreneurship and employability; youth innovation, and access to microfinance and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. Although rural areas chronically have higher poverty rates, increasing rural-urban migration resulting in high dependence on informal, non-wage income streams, and increasing vulnerability of urban communities to natural and man-made shocks, rendering urban communities equally in need of economic empowerment. Given the growing importance of strengthening the economy-environment-climate change nexus, the Unit will prioritize entrepreneurship support that creates green jobs and expand markets for clean energy. Enterprises owned by women, people with disabilities, and youth will be prioritized for stimulating decent employment and socio-economic growth whilst facilitating market access for medium and small enterprises through mechanisms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Unit will collaborate with other agencies on social protection, and in advancing platforms for inclusion of key populations in development.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), the Head of Poverty, Environment and Climate Change leads the team and is an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of CO programme particularly related to priorities of his/her Unit. The main role is to manage the Unit programme including continued monitoring of implementation. The Head of Poverty, Environment and Climate Change leads the programme unit team in strategic planning and identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNDP Strategic Plan, UNSCDF, CPD priorities, the UNDP Africa Offer and the UNDP Strategic Plan ensuring creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities. S/he ensures close collaboration with the Governance, UNDP Governance and Operations team in the CO, other programmes in other UN Agencies, UNDP RSC, RBA, and technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the Unit programme. The Head of Poverty, Environment and Climate is responsible for the management of staff and is fully responsible for the financial management of programmes and projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Strategic Programme guidance: As a senior member of the CO management team, ensures the strategic direction of Unit programme:

•  Continuous scanning/analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country that is relevant to the Unit priorities;
•  Providing strategic oversight and guidance to the unit project managers ensuring that their projects are aligned to strategies and Outcomes in the CPD;
•  Identification of strategic and innovative programme areas of cooperation;
•  Support the CO team in the establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management;
•  Contribute to the SDGs targets and actively seek to advance UNDPs integrator role;
•  Support and direct when required capacity assessments and IP audits as well as timely implementation of recommendations.

2.) Staff Management and Supervision: effective management and supervision of the Unit programme team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation:

•  Establishment of unit staff goals and targets ensuring that they are regularly reviewed;
•  Supervision and mentoring of programme unit staff and guiding their learning and professional development;
•  Ensure the unit has the right skill set to deliver on outcomes by identifying skills gaps and needs, supporting the recruitment of the right staff in line with the organigram;
•  Conducting staff performance appraisals and addressing performance gaps;
•  Supporting Country Office management team in ensuring staff welfare remains in focus and duty of care is provided.

3.) Strategic Partnerships and Resources Mobilization – Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and leads the resource mobilization:

•  Identifying strategic partners to deliver unit programmes and partnership engagement plan; Development and implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes;
•  Creation and coordination of partnerships and joint programming with other UN Agencies under the delivery as one mantra of the UN system;
•  Identify donor priorities, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing and design programme areas for cooperation;
•  Continuously scanning for funding windows and lead the unit team in developing bankable proposals;
•  Maintain a unit pipeline of ideas, idea notes, concept notes and proposals.

4.) Unit Programme and Resources management:

•  Ensure unit projects are effectively managed within the project management cycle and UNDP POPP standards are consistently applied;
•  Manage unit programme resources – budgeting allocation and expenditure tracking;
•  Ensure budgets and expenditures are within authorized spending limits;
•  Ensure production of quality financial and narrative reporting.

5.) Policy Advisory: Ensures provision of top-quality policy advice services to the Government:

•  Provision of policy advice to Government and strategic advice on development and implementation of policies and strategies;
•  Continuously identify policy needs and gaps and seek opportunities to support policy development and implementation through unit programmes;
•  Lead evidence-based programming, documentation of lessons and best practices and share with government and partners;
•  Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: This post has additional managerial responsibilities exercised through the Quantum system, participation in management meetings and supervision of other cross cutting country office processes and task teams.

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

People Management

•  Show Managerial Courage
•  Demonstrate Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
•  Motivate and Direct
•  Building an Enabling Workplace
•  Build Capacity
•  Manage Performance and Ensure Accountability
•  Lead with Humility

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management: Motivate and direct

•  Create and communicate a compelling vision and purpose;
•  Align people and resources with organizational vision, strategy, objectives;
•  Understand and proactively builds the team/organization culture.

Programme Management: Programme and Project oversight

•  Key concepts and principles of Programme and Project Management

Programme Management: Manage Performance and Ensure Accountability

•  Ensure regular conversations with people about work;
•  Provide positive and constructive feedback;
•  Discuss poor performance in a timely manner;
•  Provide praise and recognition, as well as ensure accountability.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Reporting

•  Oversight of M&E in accordance with international professional standards in respect of reporting and management and provision of advisory services

Resources Mobilization: Budget management

•  Lead resources mobilization initiatives and ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

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

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

•  Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Natural/Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences or related field is required; OR
•  A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience:

•  Minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management, leadership and advisory services to programme teams;
•  Experience in programme management – design, monitoring and evaluation; resources mobilization and strategic partnerships engagement with Government, international agencies, civil society and CBOs;
•  Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems;
•  Deep knowledge and understanding of the Zimbabwean socio-economic development context;
•  Knowledge and skills for managing complex projects that are time bound;
•  Technical skills and leadership in programmes that lead to environmental and social sustainability outcomes and ability to design programmes that leverages on synergies;
•  Results based programming;
•  Knowledge of the UN system is desirable.

Language Requirement:

•  Fluency in oral and written English and Shona and/or Ndebele.

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

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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