Programme Associate [Open to internal and external applicants], Manila

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

  Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

  Background

  You are invited to join a team of dedicated development professionals whose primary role is to support Philippines to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with multiple stakeholders to find country specific solutions that lead to the eradication of poverty and to ensure no one is left behind – and we reach those furthest behind first. 

  You will be confronted with diverse development challenges, including addressing basic development needs, supporting institutional transformations to enable sustainable development, and enabling rapid recovery from shocks, crises and conflicts by strengthening development pathways. These development challenges are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they often coexist, requiring tailored integrated solutions that can adequately address specific deficits and barriers.

  We place a premium on national ownership in the analysis, design and implementation of solutions, as well as a partnership-based approach to leverage the range of skills and resources needed — public and private. We work closely with all stakeholders in society to find innovative solutions to old development problems.

  UNDP is looking for an individual who has the analytical, planning, coordination, and implementation capacities to address the links, choices and connections across multiple development issues and sectors. We seek individuals who can apply global best practice to national contexts. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated and committed to making a positive contribution to development in the Philippines.

  To support the UNDP Institutions and Partnerships programme team, and under the supervision of theTeam Leader, in close collaboration with the Programme Analyst, the Programme Associate provides the necessary support for the execution of programme services in the Country Office Programme Unit. The position supports the design, planning, monitoring, and management of the country programme portfolio by facilitating effective programme and project implementation. The Programme Associate contributes to promoting a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

  The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the CO to support coordination, resolve programme-related issues, and ensure timely information flow and delivery across the programme portfolio.

  UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

  Duties and Responsibilities

  Ensure administration and implementation of programme strategies, adapting processes and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Effective application of RBM tools and achievement of programme and management targets. Support the design and implementation of mechanisms to accelerate delivery and enhance the impact of programme portfolio
  • Presentation of information/reports for identification of areas for support and interventions to inform programme management decisions
  • Support the troubleshooting of project implementation by facilitating quality assurance and coordination with Project Management Units (PMUs) on programme and operations-related matters

    Ensure effective support to management of the CO programme focusing on the achievement of the following results:    

    • Support the preparation of draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals, and implementation arrangements in coordination with programme staff and project teams
    • Support pipeline management and project initiation on and off Quantum and other programme management systems. Assist PMUs in the re-alignment of budgets, project documents, and agreements in accordance with UNDP procedures
    • Provision of guidance to the project management teams on routine project implementation processes, including tracking of the use of financial resources and compliance with work plans
    • Follow up on performance indicators/success criteria, targets and milestones, and support the preparation of reports
    • Maintain programme and portfolio management tools, including delivery trackers, reporting schedules, implementation dashboards, and documentation systems to support effective monitoring of programme performance and management decision-making
    • Identify operational issues and contribute to the development of solutions in accordance with programme policies and procedures of the organization
      Support quality assurance related activities/audits and follow up tasks including audit recommendations and implementation monitoring of agreed management actions
    • Support the preparation of programme updates, briefing materials, and portfolio summaries for management review

      Provides administrative support to the Programme Unit and overall support to programme oversight to Projects (NIM/DIM) focusing on achievement of the following results:

      • Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of projects and financial reports
      • Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum
      • Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers
      • Support the Programme Analyst in guiding UNDP Project personnel in DIM implementation or Country Office support to NIM to ensure compliance with relevant UNDP Programme and Operations policies and procedures
      • Guide Project teams in capacity building exercises oriented to develop competences in NIM environment for accountable and result driven project management
      • Provide coordination and functional support to Project Associates under the Institutions and Partnerships portfolio, with a focus on strengthening systems and streamlining processes.
      • Guide the effective formulation of procurement plans in coordination with project teams and the procurement unit.
      • Maintain programme management trackers and documentation related to financial delivery, reporting schedules, and project implementation progress.

        Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

        • Organization of trainings for the operations/projects staff on programme management procedures and relevant UNDP programme policies
        • Effective contribution to sharing competencies and expertise across projects, teams and peers
        • Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme implementation and project management
        • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice within UNDP and with relevant partners where applicable.

          The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

          Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None, but the incumbent will provide coordination and functional oversight to Project Associates under the Institutions and Partnerships portfolio, with a focus on strengthening systems and streamlining processes.

          Competencies

          Core Competencies:

          • Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
          • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
          • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
          • Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
          • Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
          • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
          • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

            People Management 

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

            Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

            Business Management 

            • Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between
              planned activities and programme management and results; Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming; Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
            • Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
            • Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
            • Partnership Management:  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: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks 

              Finance

              • Financial Planning and Budgeting: Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting.

                Business Development

                • Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

                  Required Skills and Experience

                  Education:

                  • Secondary education is required. OR
                  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Political Science, Business Administration, or a related field will be given due consideration but not a requirement. 
                  • An advanced university degree (master’s degree) in a relevant field is desirable. 

                    Experience:

                    • A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with (bachelor’s degree) in program support, project management, or administration is required.

                      Relevant experience includes:

                      • Programme or project management support
                      • Financial monitoring or programme administration
                      • Coordination with government or development partners
                      • Support to donor-funded development programmes
                      • Experience with UNDP or other international organizations is an asset

                        Knowledge, and Skills:

                        • Holder of internationally recognized project management or procurement certifications is desirable
                        • Strong knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures with exposure to its online corporate management system (Quantum), or ERP, is an asset.
                        • Experience in resource mobilization and donor engagement is advantageous.

                          Required Language:

                          • Fluency in English and Filipino is required.

                            Equal opportunity

                            As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

                            UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

                            Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

                            UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

                            Probation

                            For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

                            Right to select multiple candidates

                            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.

                            Use of AI by candidates

                            Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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