Programme Specialist

The Programme Specialist provides technical assistance for planning, monitoring and reporting, ensuring effective application of results-based management tools and quality advisory support for UN Women programmes in the Asia-Pacific region. The role involves capacity building, donor report review, and knowledge management to support gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective application of RBM tools and monitoring achievement of results.
• Provide technical assistance in refining Integrated Result and Resource Framework (IRRF) especially indicators of Strategic Notes/ Work Plans through Peer Review Group (PRG) and pre-PRG process.
• Lead reviews of indicators, baselines, targets and data sources of the RO SN and enhance “reportability” of it.
• Compile Monitoring and reporting section of the RO and provide QA assistance for country monitoring and reporting plans in planning process.
• Lead data collection for RO SN indicators that the unit is responsible for.
• Coordinate six monthly monitoring and annual reporting in the online system (“PRISM”) and provide needed technical assistance for countries and RO units as part of the PMRU.
• Ensure quality of these reports and prepare feedback for countries.
• Document lessons learnt and common observations for future training.
• Analyze six-monthly and annual reports and flag areas of stagnations, “off track” and concerns including financial gaps between the planning documents in PRISM and actual budget in Quantum to advise the RO senior management and organize RD-Rep dialogues for selected COs.
• Provide capacity building support for RO Units and country offices, and UNCTs where requested, in planning, monitoring and reporting and RBM.
• Ensure alignment between SNs/WPs and new projects to implement the “Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Policy and Procedure”.
• Advise project team on required alignment and facilitate SN/WP revisions if necessary.
• Provide technical assistance in developing and refining performance, monitoring frameworks and setting monitoring systems for projects where requested.
• Support programmes/projects appraisal according to results-based management requirements on behalf of PMR Unit that is a standing member of the Regional Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) and Local PAC where requested.
• Conduct donor report reviews and clearance and ensure timely submissions of good quality reports.
• Work with retainer consultants/editors.
• Provide guidance for UN Joint Programme modality and Strategic Note Direct Funding modality.
• Identify and synthesis best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals in the areas above.
• Identify gaps and areas for improvements in policies, systems and practice in the areas above and advocate for changes with HQ.
• Contribute to corporate initiatives of selected areas through HQ working groups related to above subjects.
• Proactively contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in International Development, Gender, Human Rights or in other related Social Sciences.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the international level in planning, monitoring and reporting at the corporate level and that of development projects/ programmes.
• Work experience in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment is an advantage.
• Experience in the United Nations systems is desirable.
• Field experience is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Skills

• Project Management
• Programme Management
• Planning and Monitoring
• Result-Based Management
• Reporting
• Capacity Building
• Donor Reporting
• Knowledge Management
• Gender Equality
• Women’s Empowerment
• International Development
• Human Rights
• Social Sciences
• PMP Certification
• Prince 2 Certification
• MSP Certification

Languages

English