Program Associate

Details

Mission and objectives

Who we are (Mission) UNDP has been working in South Sudan for over 30 years. With the formation of the independent Republic of South Sudan in July 2011, UNDP established a Country Office and has staff working all over the country to help build government institutions. UNDP has maintained its presence in South Sudan despite significant challenges in the operating environment by adopting a flexible approach to its work with the Government of South Sudan. Since the conclusion of the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in August 2015, UNDP aims to work in partnership with the Transitional Government of National Unity, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, multilateral aid agencies, bilateral donors, academia, media and the private sector. The overarching aim of UNDP is to support the progress towards peace and reconciliation, early recovery and governance, and towards the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What we do UNDP’s goal is to help creating more resilient communities and reinvigorated local economies; strengthening peace and governance; and empowering women and girls. UNDP South Sudan aims to do this by supporting the Government to manage public finances in an environment of respect for the rule of law, with an accountable government to deliver inclusive economic growth.

Context

The Partnership Management Support Unit (PMSU) is established in South Sudan Country Office to provide effective and efficient programme management advisory support services to senior management and to programme and operations Units. PMSU acts as an oversight and quality assurance unit aiming to make the CO more accountable in terms of programme performance, management, monitoring and evaluation of results and programme financial resources. The PMSU is responsible for developing and mainstreaming practical tools, frameworks, strategies, and approaches to promote effective and efficient programme/project planning, implementation, review, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The unit monitors and analyses the programme financial resources for effective planning and utilization according to the CO’s overall programme focus and priorities. The unit plays a key role in ensuring the compliance of the CO with corporate policies, rules and regulations and the alignment of the Country Programme to the UNDP Strategic Plan, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and changes in policy introduced at the corporate level. Under the overall guidance of the Head, Programme Management Support Unit and Finance Specialist, the Programme Associate provides technical and administrative support for the effective implementation of HACT and programme Finance. 11. Sustainable Development Goals: 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers (Roles and Responsibilities of Host Entities) UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment; • Support with arrival administration and official processes as required; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; • Ensure that UN Volunteers are provided all necessary security measures as per the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS); • Leave management; • DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme; • Investigate misconduct: sharing reports with the UNV; • Provide emergency assistance, e.g. the death of volunteer or medical evacuation, in collaboration with UNV. Accept letters of guarantees or potential liabilities for covering medical costs not claimable under medical insurance in extraordinary situations (e.g. isolation facilities` services during pandemics).

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head PMSU or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Program Associate will: 1. Proactive implementation of efficient risk-based oversight of cash transferred to partners in the CO. • Participate in HACT planning and discussions and support the development and completion of HACT plans through research, collection, analysis and reporting of related information/data to facilitate planning and priority setting for HACT activities. • Prepare information on partners to facilitate planning and execution of micro assessments, audits, and spot checks. • Facilitate the execution of HACT activities undertaken by external service providers through scheduling, arranging briefings and related administrative needs to ensure service providers have appropriate and comprehensive information for effective and efficient completion of assignments. 2. Effective use of HACT by partners throughout the project cycle • Help in reviewing assessments and programme assurance reports to identify areas of weaknesses related to the implementation of HACT and keep supervisor/partners informed of findings for timely action and/or intervention. • Complete and generate Micro Assessment and Assurance Activity plans from the HACT SharePoint site and upload in the SharePoint. • Initiate and manage audit process - CO audit, DIM audit, NIM audit and verification exercises. 3. Provide support for program finance in Field offices. • Support Field office projects in budgeting. • Support project in budget balance and related analysis. • Support Program finance specialist in producing donor reports. • Support any other request from DRR-P or Head PMSU. Results/expected outputs: • Support for program finance and other activities in Field offices. • Effective use of HACT by partners throughout the project cycle. • Compliance of HACT requirement based on POPP.