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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.

Background and Organizational Context

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. 

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure.   Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others. 

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country. 

 Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

The Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management portfolio focuses on advancing Afghanistan’s climate resilience and energy sustainability in a fragile and under-developed context. The portfolio team works to influence climate change management strategies, adaptation plans, and address gaps in environmental assessments, greenhouse gas inventories, and hazard mapping. These efforts aim to create a comprehensive understanding of the country’s climate risks and vulnerabilities, paving the way for targeted interventions, technology transfer, and improved environmental governance. UNDP invests in a range of community-based infrastructure (dams, chek dams, irrigation systems, flood protection systems, afforestation initiatives, etc.) to enhance community resilience to climate change and natural hazards, and engages with local communities to develop disaster risk reduction frameworks and early warning systems. UNDP climate priorities align with UNSCR 2721 (2023). 

Given limited access to global climate funds, such as GCF and the Adaptation Fund, the portfolio team strives to lobby for and explore alternative financing avenues, including private sector engagement and innovative models like private partnerships to help mobilize resources. The team also advocates for donor collaboration to unlock critical funding from global vertical funds as well as traditional and non-traditional financing sources. The team addresses emerging priorities, including renewable energy and extractive industries, by working with a range of actors, including the private sector, and fostering partnerships to fill critical knowledge and resource gaps. Ultimately, the portfolio seeks to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions for Afghanistan’s adaptation and mitigation needs. 

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management Portfolio Manager and the direct supervision of the Deputy Portfolio Manager, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the portfolio by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations; and supports the design, planning and management of the country programme.

The Programme Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the country office and UNDP HQ, and UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex finance-related issues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Support formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the portfolio

• Provide background information for preparation of the portfolio and its supporting projects and establishment of Baselines, Milestones and Targets (BMT). 
• Provide information/evidence to guide future programming and identify implementation arrangements

Provide effective support to management of the portfolio

• Create projects in ERP, prepare required budget revisions, revise project status, determine unutilized funds, and ensure operational and financial closure of a project.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to implementing partners on implementation of projects, and track use of financial resources. Contribute to managing digital technology solutions in portfolio implementation towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
• Contribute to the effective management of data in portfolio and project(s) implementation, across the data lifecycle. Follow up on programme, portfolio and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports, and implementation of corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools. 
• Identify programmatic bottlenecks and propose solutions.
• Make preparations for external and internal programme/portfolio/project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations.
• Provide administrative support to the portfolio unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of technical reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions. 

Support implementation of the partnership and resource mobilization strategies  
 

• Analyze information on donors and prepare donor profiles. 
• Track and report on mobilized resources. 
• Review contributions agreements and manage contributions in ERP.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing 

In assigned programme areas:

• Organize and deliver portfolio related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.
• Compile lessons learned and best practices.
• Provide contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice and digital knowledge platforms.

Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:
  • 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.
• Risk Management
  • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• 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.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Finance

• Budget Management 
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Procurement

• Contract Management
  • Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• A university degree (bachelor´s degree) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, or Social Sciences, will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. 

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
• Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset.
• Ability to review and edit documents, ability to produce meeting reports identifying key actions is required.
• Previous experience in supporting resource mobilization is an asset.
• Experience in climate or energy related programme or project work is desired.
• Experience in budget expenditure tracking and processing is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Dari or Pashto is required.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

UNDP participates in the Scheme for the disclosure of safeguarding-related misconduct in recruitment processes within the humanitarian and development sector (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme). 

 In line with this Scheme, UNDP will contact previous employers of job applicants to request information about any investigations or findings of misconduct concerning allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment (sexual misconduct) against the applicant, during or after their employment. 

 By submitting a job application, the applicant confirms to have understood and consented to UNDP contacting the applicant’s prior employers, during UNDP’s recruitment process, to request any such information on sexual misconduct. 
 

Interested applicants can apply by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting the link into their browsers to access the application for the post.

Programme Associate - UNDP Careers

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 

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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