Deputy Portfolio Manager

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Position Title: Deputy Portfolio Manager
Location: Kabul
Country: Afghanistan
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading United Nations organization dedicated to tackling the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Established over 50 years ago, UNDP operates in 170 countries, working with a broad network of experts, host governments, and partners to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been actively involved in Afghanistan for more than five decades, focusing on various critical areas including climate change, resilience, gender equality, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all personnel are empowered to contribute to its mission, and actively encourages applications from marginalized or excluded populations. UNDP maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination, ensuring rigorous reference and background checks for all selected candidates.

Job Overview:
The Deputy Portfolio Manager will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager to support the implementation of climate resilience, environment, and energy interventions that align with the Transitional Country Programme Strategy (TCPS). This role involves collaborating with relevant UN agencies, development partners, donors, and national/sub-national organizations to identify, design, and implement multi-year interventions focused on conflict-sensitive resilience, climate adaptation, environmental management, and access to sustainable energy. The Deputy Portfolio Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring that UNDP interventions contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Gender mainstreaming will be a central focus, with targeted activities aimed at enhancing the coping capacities of women in the face of climate change and natural disasters, while also fostering economic resilience among Afghan women. The position requires close collaboration with various stakeholders to build synergies for deeper impact and ensure that interventions reach the most vulnerable populations, including youth, internally displaced persons, returnees, women, and impoverished households.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure effective pipeline development and portfolio management by supporting the development and management of a high-impact portfolio, advising the Portfolio Manager on financial delivery, and ensuring compliance with UNDP practices and donor obligations.
• Monitor project implementation to ensure alignment with corporate standards, including Results-Based Management (RBM) and Social and Environmental Standards (SES).
• Contribute to the negotiation and management of contribution agreements, ensuring compliance with UNDP standards.
• Provide strategic oversight and quality assurance by monitoring implementation modalities, overseeing reporting obligations, and applying adaptive management approaches.
• Build and maintain partnerships with donors, UN agencies, and civil society to foster strategic collaborations and resource mobilization.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing within the country office, documenting lessons learned and promoting programmatic learning.
• Supervise Programme Analyst and Programme Associate, ensuring effective team management and collaboration.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Environment/Natural Resources Management, Climate and Energy field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be considered.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience at the national and international level in climate, environment, sustainable energy, resilience, and recovery programmes is required.
• Relevant working experience with the UN/UNDP and/or international organizations is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in developing tools and methodologies for project follow-up and operational efficiency is desired.
• Knowledge and experience in risk management, network management with NGOs, private sector, and academia, as well as resource mobilization, are required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Environment/Natural Resources Management, Climate and Energy field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the aforementioned fields, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience with a master’s degree or seven (7) years with a bachelor’s degree in the areas of climate, environment, sustainable energy, resilience, and recovery programmes. Relevant experience with the UN/UNDP and/or international organizations is preferred, along with demonstrated experience in project management, risk management, and resource mobilization.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Fluency in Dari and/or Pashtu is also required, as these languages are essential for effective communication within the local context.

Additional Notes:
The position is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period lasting 12 months. UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for other similar positions. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, and all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. UNDP is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants.