Programme Specialist

BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UN Somalia Joint Fund (SJF), previously known as the Somalia Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), launched a series of reforms efforts in 2021 aimed at strengthening the strategic role of country-level pooled funding and joint programming in Somalia within the context of the UN Cooperation Framework (UNCF 2021-2025) and Somalia’s ninth National Development Plan (2020-2024). These reforms were concluded in October 2022 with agreement on a new structure, role, and focus of the SJF as articulated in the Fund’s new Terms of Reference and Investment and Resource Mobilization Strategy. With the reforms concluded, focus has shifted to supporting the UN Country Team to develop a new portfolio of strategic programmes in close partnership with the Government of Somalia.

The SJF Secretariat is housed in the Integrated Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) for Somalia. The secretariat is led by a Senior Trust Fund Manager and provides strategic, operational, and administrative support to fund stakeholders. The secretariat serves as the entry point for all fund-related matters. Under the leadership of the DSRSG/RC/HC, the SJF Secretariat leads engagement with donors, implementing partners, and government. It is responsible for the coordination and day-to-day management of the SJF. The secretariat provides strategic advice and quality control for programmes in the Fund’s portfolio. In the SJF’s role as a quality assurance mechanism and coordination platform, the secretariat confirms that new programmes are developed in accordance with established procedures and reflect priorities as outlined in its strategy and the UNCF, and has the required national ownership and buy-in from stakeholders. It facilitates that lessons learned from programme implementation are documented and integrated into new initiatives and promotes coherence and interlinkages between programmes in the portfolio. The secretariat ensures the Fund is guided by a sound risk management strategy in close cooperation with the Risk Management Unit of the UN in Somalia, as well as a robust approach to monitoring, reporting, and learning. It facilitates collaboration and communication between stakeholders, including through Somalia’s aid coordination architecture, donor briefings, project board meetings, and day-to-day informal interactions.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Guided by the new Terms of Reference and Investment and Resource Mobilization Strategy of the SJF, the UN is increasing the capacity of the SJF secretariat to provide better services to fund stakeholders, elevate the quality of programmes funded by the SJF, and improve data management and analysis across the portfolio to inform the UN’s and international partners’ strategic engagement in Somalia. To bolster international coherence and complementarity, the SJF will strengthen cooperation and synergies with other UN-administered pooled funds in Somalia (Peacebuilding Fund and the Somalia Humanitarian Fund), as well as the Multi-Partner Fund administered by the World Bank and the Somalia Infrastructure Fund administered by the African Development Bank.

In line with the principles of Agenda 2030, the SJF follows a human rights-based approach and takes into consideration the specific needs of youth as well as women and girls who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and uphold the principle of “leaving no one behind”. Through this lens, UN Somalia is committed to strengthening programming in gender equality and women empowerment, anti-corruption, climate security, and other humanitarian-development-peace nexus related areas which require additional focus throughout the programming cycle.

The Programme Specialist will work with UN entities, government counterparts, and other implementing partners to strengthen the quality of the UN’s joint programming in Somalia, ensure alignment with the SJF’s investment strategy, and promote portfolio coherence.

Key duties and accountabilities include:

Fund management:

• Operationalize the SJF’s Terms of Reference by supporting the Fund’s governance, programme development, and reporting processes
• Contribute to the implementation, monitoring, and periodic review of the SJF’s Investment and Resource Mobilization strategy and associated results framework
• Support the production of SJF reports and communication material to highlight programmatic results and fund-level impact
• Support the design results frameworks for the SJF aligned with other relevant frameworks, including the UN Cooperation Framework
• Support communication and marketing initiatives for the SJF
• Develop an updated operations manual for the SJF, in cooperation with the SJF Operations Specialist
• Together with the SJF Operations Specialist and M&E Specialist maintain a fund performance dashboard to track implementation progress across the portfolio
• Support the preparation of the semi-annual/annual reports and other briefings for partners and stakeholders as and when required.
• Coordinate with the MPTF Office to facilitate information flow, including the provision of Fund-related data for the MPTF Gateway

UN coordination:

• Provide programme design support, guidance, updates, and information to implementing partners and other fund stakeholders
• Provide technical advice and innovative approaches to the full programming cycle, from inception and design to implementation and evaluation of programme results
• Guide delivery of technical assistance, capacity development, and engagement with implementing partners
• Support the UN Results Groups to identify joint programming opportunities for the SJF
• Build, manage, and expand relationships with partners to support coordinated implementation of programmes
• Organize joint field missions by programme teams
• Promote synergies and interlinkages between programmes and SJF Windows and feed data and analysis from programmes into design and implementation of other programmes
• Represent the SJF in the UN Somalia Programme Management Team and other internal coordination fora
• Coordinate with other UN administered pooled funds (Peacebuilding Fund and Somalia Humanitarian Fund) to explore opportunities for co-investment and coordinated delivery

Knowledge management

• Monitor and analyze delivery and status of individual programmes against the SJF strategy and results frameworks
• Harvest, compile, and analyze information generated across the fund portfolio to feed into strategic discussions with fund stakeholders on investment pipeline.
• Coordinate and contribute to the active exchange of information with the programme teams of all windows
• Support the chronicling and communication of knowledge products and good practices on progamming pooled funds in complex settings.
• Cooperate closely with Integrated Office units, UNSOM, and UN Country Team on UN-wide data and analysis functions to support UN programming through the SJF and other UN-administered pooled funds.

Other responsibilities:

• Provide advice and support to other units in the Integrated Office, including the PBF secretariat
• Other tasks as required
• Together with SJF Operations Specialist, deputize the MPTF Senior Trust Fund Manager when required

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s degree in social policy, public policy, politics, law, economics, development studies or a related area.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• At least five years progressive experience of working with development, humanitarian response, political affairs, or programme management in the UN system, international organization, or government
• Experience of working with bilateral donors or UN pooled funding instruments an advantage
• Knowledge of programme design, results-based management, M&E approaches, the UN development system, and the 2030 Agenda
• Experience in providing support to diverse actors on fund management, programme design and implementation, and strategic planning
• Experience working in conflict/post-conflict environments, especially in the Horn of Africa, constitutes a significant advantage
• Good planning, facilitation, communication skills with ability to transfer knowledge and skills in complex institutional environment
• Proven ability to work effectively with people at all levels of an organization, maximizing coordination and cooperation
• Excellent drafting skills is a significant advantage

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Development Effectiveness: Knowledge management

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

Development Effectiveness: Results-based management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

Development Effectiveness: Partnerships

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

Development Effectiveness: Innovation

• Ability to manage organisational resources and deployment in pursuit of innovative approaches and initiatives

Finance & Accounting: Trust Fund Management

• Knowledge of managing trust funds including contributions, allocations, delivery analysis, projections and senior management advisory on emerging financial mechanisms

Trust Fund Management: UN Coordination and Knowledge Management Skills on Pooled Financing Instruments

• Knowledge of UN inter-agency and national pooled financing instruments, including applicable legal arrangements. Proven consultation, data analysis and drafting skills

Trust Fund Management: Fund Architecture Design

• Knowledge of issues related to fund establishment and viability, including analysis of comparative advantages of specific funds, business case development, translation of a theory of change into a fund result matrix and result-based management system linking programmatic outcomes and financial flows, advice on options for governance arrangements; and negotiating and finalizing legal agreements and structures

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