Development Results & Partnership Specialist

Under the direct supervision of the DRR, the Development Results and Partnerships Specialist will be responsible for the corporate planning and results reporting, implementation of UNDP monitoring and result-based management policies and strategies, management of corporate monitoring and evaluation policies, development and implementation of the CO partnership strategy, management and the CO compliance with corporate partnership procedures, and capacity development for results-based management and partnership building. The specific tasks include establishing and maintaining an integrated programme planning and monitoring system, ensuring results-based management of the country programme with a view to effectively support strategic partnerships and implementation of the CO partnership and resource mobilization strategy.  Furthermore, the incumbent will carry out management of the country programme evaluations and follow up, provision of management support services to the CO senior management and programme units, and capacity development of CO and implementing partners on quality assurance and M&E mechanisms, when applicable.

The Development Results and Partnerships Specialist will lead quality assurance of the partnerships and Results Based Management (RBM) components of the CO programme and projects. S/he will also work with the UNDP programme teams and staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors. S/he is entrusted with ensuring the quality of donor reporting and contributes to the identification of evidence based good practices and business emerging opportunities in the CO.

The Development Results and Partnerships Specialist will also be responsible for design and implementation of the CO partnership and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes.

The Development Results and Partnerships Specialist directly underpins CO high performance extending the reach and rigor of quality, ethical and client facing management practices to programme support activities, including continuous learning, and models an approach to support services characterized by technical excellence, pride in accountability and high regard by users and clients.

 Summary of key functions: 

1. Ensure programme strategic planning, monitoring and reporting, and management and follow up on the country programme reviews and evaluations.

2. Ensure results-based management of the CO programmes and projects, in accordance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures.

3. Advise on strategic partnership development and resource mobilization through the management of evidence- based systems and result reporting.

• Ensures programme strategic planning, monitoring and result reporting, and management and follow up on the country programme reviews and evaluations, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

1. Analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of strategic programmatic documents, Strategy Note, and other documents.
2. Operationalization of Country Program Document in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies, and identification of possibilities for joint programming.
3. Contribution to the design and formulation of CO programme.
4. Develop monitoring policy, protocols and tools for the country programme and projects, and establish a system to ensure regular project monitoring, spot checks and follow up on the implementation of recommendations by the programme and project teams.
5. Manage the implementation of the country office monitoring system through training and back up support to programme and project teams.
6. Prepare CO Result Oriented Annual Reports (ROAR) and other periodic reports for the government and stakeholders.
7. Develop and support the implementation of the CO Evaluation Plan.
8. Provide advisory services to programme and project staff on project evaluations, including through review of related terms of reference, evaluation methodology and draft reports.
9. Design and advice on managing CO programme/outcome evaluations, in line with UNDP policies and procedures, and contribute to UN joint reviews and evaluations.
10. Establish a system to follow up on the implementation of evaluation findings and recommendations with programme and project managers.

•  Ensures results-based management of Country Office programmes and projects in accordance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation, achieving the following results: 

1. Effective application of RBM tools and monitoring achievement of results. 
2. Contribution to strategic oversight of planning, implementing and monitoring of the programme, in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. 
3. Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of Annual Work Plans. 
4. Support the implementation of follow up on audit recommendations related to Programme. 
5. Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Oversight of the preparation of donor reports. 
6. Advises CO management decision making and compliance with corporate programming and reporting requirements as per quality dashboards. 
7. Advise on project Annual Work Plans and Progress Reports and ensure consistency with country programme and UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures Support planning, implementing and monitoring of projects, in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. 
8. Maximize the use of RBM tools and M&E systems through training sessions and need-based guidance and support to the programme and project teams. 

• Advises on strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy through evidence-based systems and reporting in collaboration with the programme team, focusing on the achievement of the following results: 

1. Development and implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategy to achieve programme outcomes. 
2. Creation and coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc. 
3. Oversight and contribution to UNDP reporting on UNDP led Results Groups. 
4. Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and partners’ priorities and modus operandi for interaction with partners. 
5. Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for co-financing and other funding modalities, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization. 
6. Provide guidance on use of programmatic instruments for cooperation with NGOs, CSOs, public institutions, etc. for project implementation. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient

functioning of the Office and the Organization

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

• Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.  

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

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

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, business management, social policy, public policy, politics, development studies or a related area. Or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in working with quality assurance instruments and results-based management models required.
• Experience in programme management and developing and/or implementing the RBM systems at the program or project level.
• Experience in developing, facilitating and maintaining collaborative partnerships with a broad range of partners and multilateral development stakeholders.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP, preferably PeopleSoft is an asset.

• Fluency in English and Romanian.