SUN Movement Pooled Fund Coordinator

Mid Senior Programme & Policy

Overview

Manage the coordination of the SUN Movement Pooled Fund and its stakeholders.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Sciences, Economics, Development, International relations, Nutrition or related fields.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in a coordination role at an international level.
• Experience in building partnerships with major relevant stakeholders in the politics of the global nutrition governance landscape issues is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across one or more dispersed and diverse teams is desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in written and spoken French is highly desirable.
• Fluency in another UN language is desirable.

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Background Information - Job-specific

Launched in September 2010, the purpose of the SUN Movement is to catalyse collective action and create an enabling environment to end malnutrition in all its forms. With 61 SUN Countries and four Indian States at the helm, the SUN Movement represents an unprecedented country-led effort to bring together stakeholders – from governments, national and global civil society organisations, businesses, the UN system, researchers and scientists across different sectors – and provide them with a collaborative space to convene, mobilise, share, learn, advocate, align and coordinate actions and approaches to improve nutrition.

SUN countries, supported by all stakeholders in the Movement, are committed to creating an enabling environment for scaling up nutrition by strengthening four strategic processes as set out in the SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap 2016-2020: expanding and sustaining an enabling political environment; prioritising effective actions that contribute to good nutrition; implementing actions aligned with national common results frameworks; and effectively using, and significantly increasing, financial resources for nutrition.

2020 marks the last year of the second SUN Movement’s Strategy and Roadmap (2016-2020). In late 2019, a team of independent consultants began the process of a strategic review of the SUN Movement, to help chart the course of the next phase of the SUN Movement (2021-2025). The new strategy of the Movement is currently being developed.

The SUN Movement Coordinator, UN Assistant Secretary General, oversees the day-to-day implementation of the Strategy and Roadmap, heads the SUN Movement Secretariat and represents the SUN Movement globally.

Since 2012, the SUN Movement Secretariat has developed as a coordinating mechanism hosted by UNOPS. It has a catalytic role and seeks to link together countries and networks in the SUN Movement to ensure that support, requested in countries to intensify actions and achieve nutrition objectives, is received in a coordinated and coherent way. It also ensures that the Movement’s progress is tracked efficiently and communicated clearly. A Chief of Staff manages and leads the Secretariat. With its 32 staff members, the SUN Movement Secretariat is undergoing a functional review of its current set up to ensure that it is aligned with the new Strategy and fit for guiding the progress on the new strategic objectives of the Movement.

Founded in 2017, the SUN Movement Pooled Fund has been established as a last resort, catalytic and innovative funding mechanism providing support to SUN countries and their efforts in scaling up nutrition. Striving towards the strategic objectives of the second SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap (2016-2020), the Pooled Fund is hosted by UNOPS and managed by a 7-member team. The Pooled Fund has grown from an initial USD 3 million investment to a multi-phased budget of USD 18.5 million in just 3 years. The Fund now supports 85 grant projects across 45 SUN countries.

Functional Responsibilities

The Secretariat is currently looking for a SUN Movement Pooled Fund Coordinator to manage the coordination between the SUN Movement Secretariat and UNOPS – the hosting agency of the Pooled Fund.

The Pooled Fund Coordinator will play a key role in translating the political commitment and financial contribution to the SUN Movement Pooled Fund into coherent calls for proposals, aligned with national priorities and needs. The post holder will work with stakeholders across the Movement, from the grass-roots to the highest political level. He/she will be a proactive, opportunistic and flexible colleague, fostering cross-team collaboration and encouraging innovative solutions to the challenges faced by SUN Countries. With strong communication skills – both oral and written – the postholder will build and maintain effective understanding and support productive exchanges.

The Pooled Fund Coordinator will be asked to produce high-quality written and oral briefs for members of SUN Networks, the SUN Coordinator, SUN Secretariat, and external audiences. The postholder may travel periodically to SUN countries, as well as to relevant global and regional events.

Like all in the SUN Movement, the Pooled Fund Coordinator must always be vigilant that the SUN Movement’s principles are upheld everywhere and at all times.

The successful candidate must be flexible and open to take on additional tasks as required to meet the evolving needs of SUN Countries.

Under the supervision of the Senior Operations Officer and in close collaboration with the rest of the Secretariat’s team as well as the Pooled Fund Team, the Pooled Fund Coordinator will perform the following functions:

• Be the liaison between the SUN Movement Secretariat on one side and Grant Officers, the M&E Specialist and UNOPS on the other ensuring that all parties are on track with their contribution to the Fund.
• In collaboration with the UNOPS Grant Management Team, draft eligibility criteria for the selection of proposals based on project agreement assigned between UNOPS and donors. Coordinate and collect inputs from various members of the team within defined timelines.
• In collaboration with UNOPS review proposals submitted by requesting entities for consistency with agreed SUN principles and triangulate information with appropriate SUN Networks, stakeholder groups and in-country actors including SUN Government Focal Points and donor conveners.
• In collaboration with UNOPS review interim and final reports from projects granted from Pooled Fund. This will include compiling in-depth analysis of grants financial status as well as of progress against agreed objectives. This will form the basis for payment approval as well impact analysis.
• Ensure that policies and strategies decided by the SUN Lead Group are implemented and adhered to in the SUN Movement Pooled Fund.
• Plan regular updates for all stakeholders and facilitate sharing of information between all partners involved. In particular ensure that the SUN Movement Executive Committee and the SUN Movement Coordinator and the SUN Movement Secretariat are kept informed of progresses to date, challenges and priorities ahead of the SUN Movement Pooled Fund.

• Improve the Knowledge management and internal communication between the Pooled Fund and the rest of the SUN Movement Secretariat, especially regarding monthly updates and Technical Assistance requests;

• Ensure that issues related to the Pooled Fund are consulted with the Strategic Management Team, Country Liaison Team and other relevant members of the SUN Movement Secretariat.

• Convene and organize relevant meetings of the Consultative Group - made of donors to the Pooled Fund and representatives of the SUN Networks – to provide relevant updates and discuss new directions for the Fund. In particular lead on conversations on scope and content and parameters for new call for proposals.
• Support the SUN Civil Society Network (CSN) and other SUN Networks with fundraising and sustainability for the network and alliances, technical assistance in MEAL, governance and other areas as applicable in support of enabling strong and sustainable civil society alliances.
• Within available resources, plan, implement and monitor all SUN Movement Pooled Fund communications including the website, social media, as well as internal and external communication strategy for the Pooled Fund;
• In collaboration with the M&E Specialists ensure a functioning monitoring, evaluation and reporting system for the fund.
• Collaborate with the Senior Operations Officer in all questions regarding relations with Donors to the Pooled Fund.
• Work with senior management in shaping the vision and the way forward of the Pooled Fund beyond 2020 by coordinating the work with all relevant partners in this process.
• Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor to support the overall management of the Secretariat and of the Fund – this could include project management of specific projects and/or events.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• A work plan will be formulated and agreed with the Senior Operations Officer as well as UNOPS, with clearly defined outputs, milestones and reporting requirements.
• Successfully meeting deadlines based on work plan
• Setting personal development objectives within Performance Evaluation Review

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Sciences, Economics, Development, International relations, Nutrition or related fields. A Bachelor degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced degree.

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in a coordination role at an international level.
• Experience in building partnerships with major relevant stakeholders in the politics of the global nutrition governance landscape issues is a strong asset.
• Field experience in multi-sector development or food and nutrition security programmes and policies is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across one or more dispersed and diverse teams is desirable.
• Understanding of and significant experience in public administration structures at both the national and sub-national levels is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to speak and write clearly and effectively by tailoring language, tone, style, and format to match the audience is required.
• Knowledge of and practical experience in the development and impact of global and regional development initiatives, as well as a sound understanding and appreciation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is desirable.

c. Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in written and spoken French is highly desirable.
• Fluency in another UN language is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA2 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

*************This position is based in Switzerland and the contract fee is not exempt from Swiss laws, including but not limited to laws regarding taxation, social security, accident and health insurance.*************

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org