Associate Programe Officer - UNOCHA

Background The Latin America and the Caribbean Humanitarian Fund (LAC HF), managed by OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) from its Regional Office in Panama, through a dedicated Regional Humanitarian Financing Unit (RHFU).   The LAC HF has been established in 2024 by the ERC (Emergency Relief Coordinator) to provide a stable and flexible platform for donors addressing emergencies across the region, including sudden-onset disasters, escalating crises, and ongoing humanitarian situations. With current funding mostly coming from a handful of donors, supplemented by a broader range of emergency-specific public and private contributors, LAC HF seeks engagement from non-traditional donors.   Managed from OCHA's Regional Office in Panama, LAC HF dynamically adjusts its Country Envelopes based on evolving needs, donor interest and partner capacity. Each Envelope is managed by the respective UN Resident Coordinator or Humanitarian Coordinator, with support from an in-country Advisory Board, and working with
national coordination mechanisms.   Colombia and Haiti have been prioritized initially and based on their success over time, LAC HF could expand to other countries based on humanitarian needs and donor interest. This means LAC HF could possibly expand to support responses to phenomena like El Niño or hurricanes affecting multiple countries. Additionally, LAC HF and CBPFs (Country-Based Pooled Funds) are complementary to one another, with LAC HF Envelopes potentially evolving into full CBPFs (Country-Based Pooled Funds) as needed, or CBPFs (Country-Based Pooled Funds) scaling back into LAC HF Envelopes, depending on the context.     Position Purpose Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Pooled Fund Manager and Head of Office (OCHA ROLAC), the Associate Programme Officer is responsible for the implementation of the programmatic and monitoring functions of the Regional Humanitarian Financing Unit (RHFU), including both funding mechanisms led by ROLAC (Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean): the LAC HF (with country envelopes in Colombia and Haiti), and CERF (Central Emergency Response Fund). The Associate Programme Officer leads the formulation, management, and evaluation of programme and monitoring activities within his/her portfolio; and provides advice services.   The Associate Programme  Officer works in close collaboration with other units and field offices within OCHA, programme staff in other UN Agencies, OCHA and CBPF (Country-Based Pooled Funds ) section staff in HQ, cluster coordinators, technical advisors/experts, partners and donors to ensure successful processes within the RHFU and LAC HF, including the country envelopes in Colombia and Haiti; and CERF when necessary.     Duties and Responsibilities   1. Substantively contribute to the RHFU: Fund Management and Coordination:

• Support and implement standardized policy in line with the CBPF (Country-Based Pooled Funds) Global Guidelines and HQ guidance.
• Liaise with NGOs, UN partners as well as clusters and OCHA field offices with country envelopes to follow-up on project progress and overall Fund progress.
• Contribute to ensure proper communication and support during the allocation process of LAC HF and CERF to all stakeholders.
• Liaise with and provide necessary support to recipient organizations of the Fund throughout the life cycle of the projects, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response.
• Contribute to organize field missions, conferences, meetings, and events related to LAC HF under the guidance of the Pooled Fund Manager.
• Under the guidance of the Pooled Fund Manager and in collaboration with other OCHA units and field offices, as well as with support from relevant OCHA HQ sections, contribute to document and disseminate results, best practices and results of the Fund across internal and broader audiences through information and communication products/pieces (i.e., bulletins, feature stories, photographs/videos, websites, etc.).
• Contribute, when necessary, on the CERF allocation processes and Coordination mechanisms and allocation reporting to HQ.

2. Support the fund allocation process from the design of the allocation strategy and throughout the project cycle:

• Contribute to the process of Internal Capacity Assessments for new partners following the CBPF (Country-Based Pooled Funds) Global Guidelines.
• Ensure necessary coordination during fund allocation processes with relevant counterparts in line with the Terms of Reference and/or allocation guidelines (i.e., Review and/or Advisory Boards, cluster leads, humanitarian organizations, and OCHA).
• Contribute to the drafting of the Fund's allocation strategies for LAC HF and CERF allocations following guidance from the Humanitarian Coordinators/HoOs and the Pooled Fund Manager, in consultation with relevant counterparts and coordination.
• Contribute to the review process of project proposals by the RHFU and review committees and follow up with partners on programmatic aspects.
• Communicate concerns about proposals, project documents and/or implementing partners to the Pooled Fund Manager.
• Oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the approved projects.
• Organize training and workshops related to LAC HF or CERF processes, programmatic and cross-cutting issues, reporting and monitoring activities, proposal development, and others programmatic topics.
• Contribute to LAC HF and CERF reporting and follow up processes.
• Keep the Pooled Fund Manager informed of trends and/or individual cases that contribute to evidence-based decisions or actions.

3. Lead the monitoring of LAC HF-funded projects and ensure compliance with monitoring instances:

• Ensure compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in place for the Fund.
• Develop the monitoring plan for LAC HF-funded projects including field site visits and reporting instances according to the Operational Modalities and the CBPF (Country-Based Pooled Funds) Global Guidelines.
• Organize and conduct regular field visits to LAC HF-funded projects to monitor their implementation, ensuring the alignment with the project proposal and the Grant Agreement.
• Ensure that field monitoring reports and recommendations to implementing partners are reflected in the One Grant Management System (OneGMS) on a timely manner and in compliance with CBPF (Country-Based Pooled Funds) Guidelines.
• Ensure timely reporting of project implementation and communicate concerns to the Pooled Fund Manager.
• Ensure that results and findings from monitoring visits are shared with the Pooled Fund Manager and implementing partners in a timely manner, and recommendations are followed-up.
• Ensure that implementing partners submit narrative reports within the established timeline for all LAC HF-funded projects.
• Monitor the delivery and review of narrative reports from implementing partners to ensure compliance with CBPF (Country-Based Pooled Funds) Global Guidelines and to provide feedback.
• Ensure all project documents are on OneGMS partner files.

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

• Perform other duties as assigned by LAC HF Pooled Fund Manager.

  Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises programme staff.     Competencies Core Competencies

• ACHIEVE RESULTS - LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• THINK INNOVATEVELY - 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 Competencies

• BUSINESS DIRECTION & STRATEGY
  • SYSTEMS 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 MANAGEMENT
  • RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
  • PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
  • PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio 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.
  • WORKING WITH EVIDENCE AND DATA: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

Technical Competencies

• 2030 AGENDA: ENGAGEMENT & EFFECTIVENESS
  • EFFECTIVENESS: Project Quality Assurance.

  Required Skills and Experience   Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, legal science, or a related field is required or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor´s degree) in humanitarian or development affairs, social sciences, public administration, international studies, economics, or a related field is required. 

  Experience, Knowledge and Skills: Two (2) years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or related area is required. Experience in humanitarian financing, e.g., grant management, fundraising, and donor relations for humanitarian programmes, is desirable. Experience with pooled funds is desirable. Experience with United Nations and/or NGOs desirable. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship. Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems. Demonstrated experience in report writing. Experience in project management and supervision, monitoring and evaluation, and administration is desirable. Experience in grants management and in the design of logical frameworks is desirable. Ability to work with moderate supervision, efficiently, competently, and with integrity with diverse people. Willingness to work under pressure in an international and multicultural environment. Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners and colleagues to achieve organizational goals.   Languages:

• An excellent command of written and spoken Spanish and English is required for this position.
• Good knowledge of French is desirable.
• Knowledge in Haitian Creole is desirable.

  Important applicant information All posts in the NO categories are subject to local recruitment.   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.   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.   Scam alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.