Programme Specialist

undp - Islamabad, Pakistan | 2025-01-28 11:36:24

Background
 
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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. 

UNDP Pakistan works with the Government and communities to develop and implement local solutions to development challenges. In an evolving development context, UNDP supports the efforts of Government of Pakistan to build a more equitable, prosperous, peaceful, and resilient society, and to achieve its SDGs and COP25 targets. 
Resilience, Environment and Climate Change (RECCU) is supporting projects across the country to respond to the growing threat of climate change, to mainstream environmental concerns into national development planning processes, and to expand access to environmental and energy services for the poor. In particular, UNDP has sought to ensure that the poor have stronger capacities to manage, adapt, and monitor climate change. Climate Change is a huge development challenge as well as a huge environmental challenge. It is a growing problem and is now hitting the poorest and the most vulnerable first and hardest.

The 2022 floods in Pakistan have affected 33 million people, resulted in the loss of more than 1,700 lives, displaced around 9 million men, women, and children, and inundated almost one-third of productive agricultural land in Pakistan. These downstream challenges are compounded with institutional issues whereby the Government of Pakistan requires support for developing overarching frameworks to structure its flood response activities and technical expertise to set up and develop bankable projects, establish standardised mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, and enhance strategic communications for public outreach.

UNDP has responded to the challenge by developing and launching a flagship Flood Recovery Programme (FRP) to support the Government of Pakistan’s flood recovery and rehabilitation efforts. The Programme has four key objectives dealing with the following thematic areas:

  • Restoration of housing and access to/revival of essential community services. 
  • Restoration of livelihoods and income-generating capacities. 
  • Restoration of governance and service delivery.
  • Accelerated environmental clean-up with strengthened capacities for Disaster Risk Management.  

As the FRP is growing with various ongoing and pipeline projects, the programme is recruiting a National Programme Specialist (NPSA10 level). Under the direct supervision of the Flood Recovery Programme Manager (PM), the Programme Specialist is responsible for supporting the PM in the management, coordination, and successful implementation of the Flood Recovery Programme (FRP). This includes direct management of a diverse team, reinforcing a collaborative, client-oriented approach, and ensuring that programme interventions align seamlessly with UNDP Pakistan’s Country Programme Document and the organization’s strategic objectives.

This role is critical in delivering programme results, establishing effective monitoring and evaluation practices, and enhancing oversight across FRP operations. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in expanding partnerships, managing stakeholders, and promoting the visibility of programme achievements. The Programme Specialist will also work closely with the National Programme Coordinator (NPC), who liaises directly with government entities and provides strategic advisory, ensuring cohesive and integrated delivery of programme interventions.
 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Programme Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Oversight
The Programme Specialist will be instrumental in facilitating effective day-to-day operations within the FRP. The responsibilities include:

  • Programme Implementation: Work closely with the Programme Manager to ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of programme activities, optimizing processes to achieve project objectives. Lead team members in translating the programme`s mission into actionable steps, ensuring consistent application of programme standards.
  • Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E): Design and operationalize a robust M&E framework that utilizes both quantitative and qualitative indicators to track progress, analyze outcomes, and adjust implementation strategies as necessary. Conduct regular assessments to drive performance improvements and maintain alignment with programme goals.
  • Risk Management: In close collaboration with the Programme Manager, identify, analyze, and manage operational, reputational, and strategic risks that may impact the programme’s success. Develop risk mitigation strategies, facilitate contingency planning, and ensure a proactive response to emerging challenges to safeguard programme outcomes. Maintain and regularly update the risk register as per corporate guidelines.
  • Resource Management: In close coordination with the FRP operations team, support the efficient allocation and utilization of programme resources, including human, financial, and logistical assets. Work with the programme, finance and administrative units to manage budgets, control expenditures, and ensure that all resources contribute optimally to programme objectives.
  • Team Leadership and Management: Provide direct management and guidance to team members under supervision, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Set clear performance expectations, offer constructive feedback, and support team development through targeted training and coaching. 

Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
The Programme Specialist will support the Programme Manager in the cultivation and management of partnerships required to sustain and expand programme activities:

  • Support Liaison with Donors and Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with the Programme Manager in liaison and coordination with donors, HQ, the Bangkok regional hub, and other strategic partners. Maintain consistent communication with these stakeholders to provide transparent updates on programme progress, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
  • Coordination with NPC: Work closely with the NPC to ensure unified approaches in programme design and implementation. While the NPC focuses on government engagement and strategic input, the Programme Specialist will align these efforts with the broader programme strategy, fostering collaboration to streamline efforts and amplify the programme’s impact.
  • Donor Reporting and Compliance: Oversee the preparation and timely submission of donor reports, ensuring adherence to reporting requirements and maintaining strong relationships with funding partners through transparent communication and responsiveness to feedback.

Learning, Communications, and Visibility
In this role, the Programme Specialist will drive knowledge sharing, manage communications, and promote the programme’s visibility, ensuring that achievements and lessons learned are effectively documented and communicated: 

  • Knowledge Sharing: Cultivate a learning environment by identifying, analyzing, and sharing lessons learned and best practices from programme implementation. Foster an environment of continuous learning within the team by encouraging critical thinking, innovation, and adaptation.
  • Communication Strategy and Implementation: Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy to highlight programme achievements, innovations, and outcomes. Collaborate with the communications team to produce and disseminate high-quality content tailored to diverse audiences, including donors, regional offices, and the public.
  • Capacity Building: Lead capacity-building efforts for programme staff, ensuring that all team members are well-equipped with the skills necessary for effective programme delivery. Organize and conduct training sessions on key areas such as M&E, adaptive management, and stakeholder engagement, enhancing the overall capability and efficiency of the team.
  • Visibility and Advocacy: Promote the FRP’s visibility through advocacy efforts, ensuring the programme’s contributions are well-publicized across media platforms and within the development community. Work with the UNDP’s public relations and advocacy teams to build a positive image of the programme, sharing impactful stories and evidence of progress toward the programme’s goals.

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

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
     

People Management competencies: 

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management    

  • Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals. 
  • Communication. Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience . Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels
  • Resource Management. Allocate and use resources strategically or tactically in line with principles of accountability and integrity
  • Risk Management. Identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks 

Business Direction & Strategy    

  • System Thinking. 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

Business Development    

  • Knowledge Facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Partnership Management    

  • Relationship Management. Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain, and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.
     
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master`s degree or equivalent) in Development, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration/Public Policy, Social Sciences disciplines, or management or related disciplines is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Development, Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Social Sciences disciplines, or management or related disciplines in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
     
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in project management, monitoring & evaluation, coordination and donor management.  
  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
  • Experience in project planning, budgeting and financial management including development, monitoring and implementation of the Annual Work Plans.
  • Experience in overseeing the preparation and timely submission of donor reports, ensuring adherence to reporting requirements and maintaining strong relationships with funding partners.
  • Experience in resource mobilization and donor management.
  • Experience of communicating and collaborating with diverse stakeholders at national and international levels including in multicultural environments.
  • Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations.

Required languages:

  • Fluency in English and Urdu is required. 
  • Knowledge of other local languages is an asset.
     
Disclaimer

 

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 
Note: 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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

 
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