UNDP has been supporting the Nepalese people in their struggle against poverty since it opened an in-country office in 1963. Much of this support has gone to building up the capacity of government agencies, civil society and community groups to fight poverty, and to bringing these groups and Nepal’s development partners together to design and implement successful projects to contribute to the achievement of Nepal’s development objectives.

In parallel to the roll-out of its new Country Programme, 2018-2022, UNDP Nepal is reorganizing internally and moving towards strategically repositioning UNDP’s contributions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and collaboration with national development partners.  Nepal is transforming itself in a federal state as per its new Constitution which has implications for how UNDP engages with national and sub-national authorities.  Meanwhile, Nepal’s GNI continues to grow, making graduation from LDC status a scenario for which UNDP needs to begin planning and adapting to different models of development cooperation.

In this context, under the guidance of the Resident Representative and the day-to-day direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Portfolio Analyst serves as an anchor of the UNDP Nepal programme portfolio in the area of:

• Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management;
• Environmental and Natural Resources Management.

S/he works in close collaboration with the Strategic Engagement Team, Results and Partnerships Management Team, Operations Team, project teams, UN Agencies, Regional Bureau, UNDP HQ, Bangkok Regional Hub staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to ensure implementation of UNDP projects in full compliance with rules and regulations of UNDP.

The Analyst supervises and provides guidance to programme support staff in her/his team, as well as oversees the coordination of activities related to the area under his/her responsibility with other portfolio analysts in the office. The incumbent will also oversee programme activities with technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

The Analysts, furthermore:

• Understands advanced aspects of primary area of specialization (Climate Change and Resilience) as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
• Identifies and compiles lessons learned.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Ensures implementation of programme strategies and direction of project activities in the Climate and Resilience area including achievement of project targets and results by focusing on the following results:

• In accordance with the Project Document, plan and develop project Annual Work Plans (AWPs); establish annual target according to UNDP CO timelines. Design project budget ensure AWP activities are in line with the overall direction set by the Project Document and lead to achievements of targets and results;
• Oversee and coordinate development and formulation of detailed implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication and risk management plans for the project.  Coordinate and ensure timely updates of all planning instruments in collaboration with relevant colleagues;
• Assess project impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results;
• Establish adequate monitoring procedures and systems throughout project activities.  Ensure adequate systems are in place to gather data and information for project monitoring, project progress, including taking regular field trips for monitoring purposes;
• Ensure that UNDP’s results-management systems are keep updated for project results information;
• Manage the accurate and timely high-quality results reporting on the progress of the project and achievement of annual targets;
• Implement project communications activities in close collaborate with the Communications Team;
• Organize and participate in project level coordination meetings and/or technical working groups as per project document and AWP;
• Implement project governance arrangements.  Oversee organization of Project Board meetings and timely preparation of agenda, materials;
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.

Ensures day-to-day management of projects in the area of Climate Change and Resilience, by focusing on the following results:

• Ensure compliance of all actions and activities with organizational rules, regulations, policies, strategies and internal control mechanisms;
• Oversee the appropriate use of project funds as well as the consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations. Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments;
• Monitor budget implementation and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of project expenditure. Coordinate preparation of financial reports to UNDP, as required;
• Supervise and manage project personnel and consultants. Develop ToRs/JDs for project staff positions. Oversee recruitment processes. Establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and support to ensure optimum performance. Undertake performance evaluation according to UNDP´s policies and deadlines;
• Manage and monitor project risks. In collaboration with the technical project staff and donors identify new risks and update risk frameworks for consideration of the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required;
• Ensure appropriate management of project assets, attendance records, filing system;
• Portfolio Analyst can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects;
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NIM projects;
• Implement audit recommendations for the project. Provide inputs to audit management responses. Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported;
• Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.
• Initiate operational closure of the project.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and contributes to the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Strategic Engagement team focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities to drive the climate change and resilience development agenda in Nepal;
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

Facilitation of Knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on project issues.

Core Competencies:

Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical / Functional Competencies:

Programme Management
Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Results-Based Management
Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Resource Mobilization
Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources.
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Partnerships
Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Education:

• Completion of Master’s Degree in Economics, Environmental and Natural Resource Management, Public Administration, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• 3 years of proven relevant programming and project management experience in the area of Climate and Resilience at the national and/or international level in providing management and substantive advisory services, with hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English and Nepali.

Other:

• Well versed in computer applications like Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Good report writing skill is highly preferable.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieve work force diversity (in terms of nationality, minority groups, caste/ethnic groups, persons with disability etc.) and has a policy to have gender balance among staff at all levels.  Qualified female candidates and candidates particularly from disadvantaged and socially excluded groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension