Programme Specialist/ Head of PMSU

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Programme Specialist/ Head of PMSU
Location: Harare
Country: Zimbabwe
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been operational in Zimbabwe since 1980, focusing on eradicating poverty and supporting sustainable development. The organization collaborates with various government departments, development partners, UN agencies, academia, and civil society organizations to achieve its mission. UNDP's work in Zimbabwe is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the National Development Strategy, contributing to the country's development aspirations in key areas such as human development, environmental protection, economic transformation, and governance. UNDP emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from marginalized populations and ensuring a fair and equitable work environment.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist/ Head of PMSU plays a crucial role in the UNDP Country Office, working under the guidance of the Resident Representative and directly supervised by the Deputy Resident Representative (Programmes). This position involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, government officials, and civil society, to support the effective implementation of the UNDP programme. The incumbent is responsible for providing quality assurance to senior management on all aspects of the Country Office programme, advising on strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, and donor reporting. The role requires a proactive approach to enhance collaboration across different units and functions within UNDP, ensuring that the organization's strategic goals are met through effective programme management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1) As a member of the Country Office management team, the incumbent will provide policy advice and coordinate strategic planning for the UNDP programme, ensuring alignment with the UNDP Strategic Plan and Country Programme Document. This includes operationalizing the UNSDCF and CPD in collaboration with partners, leading the preparation of corporate planning and reporting exercises, and managing knowledge building within the Country Office. 2) The role involves ensuring effective quality assurance throughout the programming cycle, applying results-based management tools, monitoring the impact of the programme, and establishing a robust reporting system. The incumbent will coordinate audits and ensure compliance with quality standards. 3) The Programme Specialist will support programme and project monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that projects have results-based Annual Work Plans and overseeing M&E activities. This includes preparing consolidated progress reports, facilitating evaluations, and advising on work plans. 4) The incumbent will oversee financial resource planning and monitoring, ensuring compliance with UNDP rules and regulations, and tracking the use of financial resources. 5) The role also includes providing analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis and donor reporting, ensuring quality control on donor reports, and monitoring project delivery and financial status. The incumbent will perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or a related field. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience will also be considered. Candidates must have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in management advisory services, with hands-on experience in Programme Management Support, Strategic Planning, and Monitoring and Evaluation. Experience in quality assurance of programming and familiarity with UNDP/UN organizations is desirable. Proficiency in using computers and office software packages is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, or Social Sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) with additional qualifying experience will be considered. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of programme management and strategic planning within the UNDP framework.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience for candidates with a master's degree, or 9 years for those with a bachelor's degree. This experience should be at the national or international level, focusing on management advisory services, programme management support, and strategic planning. Candidates should have a proven track record in monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of development projects, as well as experience in senior-level management responsibilities. Familiarity with UNDP or UN organizations is an asset, and experience in quality assurance and audit processes is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of a local language, such as Shona or Ndebele, is considered an asset and may enhance communication with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The initial appointment is for a duration of 12 months, contingent upon successful completion of a probationary period. The position is full-time, and UNDP is committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment. The organization encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and does not discriminate based on race, gender, nationality, or other statuses. UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for similar positions.