Programme Analyst, Effective Governance and Democracy NO-A

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

This job description is a direct response to UNDP’s improved business model in Mexico. It reflects a new office structure that has recently been put in place to support the vision expressed in an emerging portfolio of Country Office (CO) programmes and to facilitate a more collaborative approach to work across the office and with external partners. This structure is also designed to provide the foundation for a new emphasis on sub-national level work, support higher delivery rates, and to transform UNDP into a learning organization and ‘fit-for-purpose’ to deliver on Agenda 2030 which in turn will support national staff and institutional capacity development.

By supporting Mexico’s State Governments to integrate the 2030 approach into their planning and budgeting processes, and the whole public policy cycle, UNDP advances inclusion and equality in the country. Also, as an engagement strategy, this is expected to allow new areas of joint work to be identified. Also, the CO has been tailoring localized integral solutions to specific sustainable development issues and is crafting methodologies and toolboxes to get those solutions ready to be deployed and escalated in other geographical areas.

The diversification and localized solutions strategy initially increase the number of initiatives to be managed by the CO, many of which handle small budgets to be allocated in a wide set of activities. This combination requires excellent programme management and oversight of operational processes and an organizational structure ready to deliver and scale results.

In this context, the Effective Governance and Democracy portfolio within the programme team provides thought leadership on cross-cutting development issues in Mexico, and globally, to ensure that UNDP’s mandate of convening development partners in support of the national development agenda, informed by a commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, is amplified by internal knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice.

The Effective Governance and Democracy portfolio leads UNDP work to fight corruption and increase citizen participation, capacity building for electoral bodies and the strengthening of the global links of the country. During 2020 has been the area running the initiatives to support for the Health System response to the COVID-19 pandemic; including the procurement of medical supplies.

Currently, the anticorruption portfolio integrates the following initiatives: A three-year-long project funded by USAID (in its second phase), an initiation plan that will address corruption risks in the medicine supply chain, and similar work with INFONAVIT, a federal entity that provides housing credit in Mexico to formal workers. This portfolio will take the lead in close collaboration with the Gender Analyst to provide strategic support to the Spotlight initiative and a project with the National Electoral Institute to boost women participation in politics.

The Programme Analyst, Effective Governance and Democracy works under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative who heads the Programme team. Notably, the programme analyst plays an important role in analysing political, social and economic trends, coordinating risk analysis and mitigation strategy and participates in the formulation, management, implementation and evaluation of the UNDP CO programme activities in the assigned  thematic area generating analytics and reviews that measure quality standards and identifying potential trouble areas.

Analysis and advice provided by the Programme Analyst are focused on design, delivery as well as systems, tools and work methodologies that impact quality and effectiveness of the country office.  The Programme Analyst systematically reviews new approaches for viability and acts as a sounding board for both technical rigor and performance standards and ensures the transfer of knowledge between the three main pillars of the portfolio.

S/he works in close collaboration with programme and the operations team as well as with the Management Analyst, Gender Analyst and M&E Analyst.  S/he liaises with programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.  The incumbent will also endeavour to contribute to collaborative policy discussions under the oversight of senior management, with project staff to ascertain emerging needs in the thematic area as well as opportunities to capitalize on new or innovative programme strategies as well as to ensure coherence of programme strategies and activities as well as the observation of the UNDP Gender strategy.

Incumbent is expected to display initiative, a positive approach and a strong client orientation. As such, s/he might be required to undertake other emerging tasks and additional duties as required by direct supervisor or senior management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Support strategic portfolio development;
2. Ensure management of programme components;
3. Strategic partnerships and resource mobilization;
4. Advisory services and knowledge sharing

1) Supports strategic development of Governance and Sustainable Effective Governance and Democracy Programme activities from design through implementation, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• In collaboration with the DRR and programme/project teams ensures contribution to the CPD though ongoing Effective Governance and Democracy programmes and projects and in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identifies opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies;
• In collaboration with the DRR and programme/project teams contributes components of UNDP Effective Governance and Democracy portfolio translating programme priorities into local interventions and ensuring coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders and programme partners;
• Collaborates with colleagues in Panama regional Office and HQ to apply in country programming new global and regional initiatives, polices and knowledge products that further the Effective Governance and Democracy Portfolio.

2) Manages assigned programme components, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provides technical guidance, subject matter input on the Effective Governance and Democracy portfolio;
• Ensures effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of result, as quality assurance, ROAR, IWP etc.;
• Supports with the development of programme / outcome level work plan, monitoring plan, human resources and procurement plans;
• Supports in the preparation of ad hoc reports; ensures timely completion of required quarterly and annual reports;
• Ensures project and programme reviews and evaluations take place;
• Maintains regular contact with project and programme counterparts in order to ensure monitoring of projects’ progress, monitoring of unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results;
• Organizes regular coordination across outcome teams and other projects to ensure synergies and integration; promotes cross component and cross programme collaboration;
• Supports audit exercises of portfolio work if/when required;

3) Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports resource mobilization, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Implements CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategy to achieve programme outcomes;
• Researches and analyses information on existing and new partners;
• Develops ideas and concepts for possible areas of cooperation;
• Establishes close working relationships and creates programmatic linkages with relevant government agencies; UN Agencies, IFI’s, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society;
• Suggests programmatic areas of co-operation based on UNDP´s strategic goals, country needs and donor priorities;
• Identifies funding opportunities for ongoing and new projects;
• Identifies and supports development of national partnerships for service provision to projects in areas such as monitoring, training, and others;
• Represents UNDP at external meetings within his/her area of programming.

4) Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identifies sources of information related to policy-driven issues; identifies and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Coordinates and ensures integration in project design the development of policies, institutions and advocacy that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
• Supports the establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks;
• Implements relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns with key partners;
• Ensures that lessons learned from projects are captured and recorded into the CO knowledge networks;

Competencies and Selection Criteria

Core Behavioral

1. Think Innovatively – Level 3: Manager / Specialist / Expert:

• Look beyond conventional approaches and established methods.
• Propose new ideas, approaches and solutions to problems.
• Seek patterns and clarity outside boxes and categories while resisting false certainty and simplistic binary choice.          

2. Achieve Results – Level 3: Manager / Specialist / Expert:

• Demonstrate focus on achieving quality results and impact.
• Consistently strive to meet or exceed excellence standards.
• Hold self and others accountable for results.
• Efficiently establish appropriate plans and resources for self and others to accomplish goals.        

3. Engage and Partner – Level 3: Manager / Specialist / Expert:

• Act in a way that demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence, showing consideration for the needs and feelings of others.
• Demonstrate and encourage teamwork and co-creation internally and externally to achieve joint objectives and results.
• Establish and develop networks that deliver powerful collaborations.
• Encourage and respect the views of others; accept views and ideas other than one’s own.            

4. Adapt with Agility- Level 3: Manager / Specialist / Expert:

• Be flexible in handling change, and adopt new ideas, approaches and ways of working.
• Seamlessly adapt to working within new situations or contexts, with new people, and in different ways.
• Participate in, support, contribute to or drive meaningful change in UNDP.
• Be comfortable with ambiguity and effectively managing multiple demands.

5. Learn continuously – Level 3: Manager / Specialist / Expert:

• Actively pursues opportunities for learning and self-development, professionally and personally
• Keeps up to date with new developments in own professional area
• Proactively seeks feedback, demonstrates a desire to learn from others as well as from experience, both positive and negative
• Contributes to the learning of others

6. Act with determination – Level 3: Manager / Specialist / Expert:

• Pursues everything with motivation and drive
• Does not give up in the face of adversity and setbacks, demonstrates resilience and composure
• Demonstrates courage, self-motivation, and initiative to act on opportunities without being prompted by others
• Is authentic and modest, gets things done without unnecessary noise

7. Enable diversity and inclusion – Level 3: Manager / Specialist / Expert:

• Understands and appreciates issues from the perspective of others
• Treats all individuals with respect, considers ethical implications and responds sensitively
  to all differences among people
• Fully accepts and values all people, creating an inclusive environment
• Understands that inclusion is multi-faceted
  (e.g. race, gender, age, disability, culture, etc.) and treats everyone fairly and equally
• Demonstrates honesty and transparency

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Show Managerial Courage

• Face up to organizational and people problems.
• Not be afraid to take decision and action when and as needed.
• Not hold back anything that needs to be said, respectfully and diplomatically.
• Address conflict in a timely manner, not allow conflicts in teams linger.
• Help others through emotional or tense situations, tactfully bringing disagreements into the open and finding solutions all can endorse.           

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.      

Cross-Functional

• Results-based Management: ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Partnerships Management: ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Risk Management: ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks. 

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in International Law, Human Rights, Development Studies, Political Science, Economics, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Effective Governance or related fields;

Experience:

• Master’s with 0 years or Bachelor’s with 2 years of progressively responsible experience in Governance and Sustainable Effective Governance and Democracy programme/project management in international development organizations, bilateral development agencies and/or international NGOs. ·
• Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset. · 
• Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
• Proven programme management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation). ·
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in Spanish and English.

APPLY