Programme Associate, NPSA6, Maputo, Mozambique, UNCDF [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants]

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.

As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, United Nations Organizations, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector.  By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders.  UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including:
•                    SME Finance
•                    Sub-National Finance
•                    Digital Finance

UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.  

From 2019 to 2023, UNCDF in Mozambique supported the implementation of the Building Local Climate Resilience (MERCIM) programme funded by the European Union.  The overall objective of MERCIM is to support local governments efforts in reducing climate vulnerability by building their capacity and delivery of climate resilient and quality public services to their citizens/rural communities, and to enhance the resilience of local livelihoods that are affected by climate change. The MERCIM+ initiative will be articulated at the global level with the LOCAL+ revamped programme. In this programmatic framework, MERCIM+ will come in to reinforce local government fiscal capacities to promote resilient infrastructure which shall come to complement the blended finance strategic tools within the LOCAL+ programme.

Therefore, the successful implementation of MERCIM interventions, where 26 resilient infrastructures were deployed in 04 districts in Zambezia and Nampula provinces, an upscaling of the programme (MERCIM+) was agreed the Government, EU and UNCDF. MERCIM+ will be implemented from 2026 to 2029 and will cover 10 territories in 04 provinces: i. Sofala (Machanga and Buzi); ii. Zambezia (Mopeia, Morrumbala and Pebane); iii. Nampula (Mossuril, Memba and Larde) and iv. Cabo Delgado (Pemba Municipality and Mecufi).

The position announced here Programme Associate-NPSA6, will be part of the National Programme Team supporting the overall Government led management of MERCIM+ programmatic objectives as demand arises. The position supports UNCDF's programmatic interventions at the national, provincial, and local levels, strengthening the provincial government's capabilities in close coordination with other development partners. The implementation of the Programme's actions will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs: 2015- 2030), with emphasis on the following:
•    SDG 1 – Eradicate poverty;
•    SDG 3 – Quality health;
•    SDG 4 – Quality education;
•    SDG 5 – Gender equality;
•    SDG 6 – Drinking water and sanitation;
•    SDG 7 – Renewable and accessible energy;
•    SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure;
•    SDG 13 – Climate action.

She/he will be responsible for ensuring compliance with UNCDF’s operational policies and procedures. She/he will also make a crucial contribution to the efficient and effective management of MERCIM+ Portfolio as well as providing strategic and technical contributions to the initiatives.
 

The Programme Associate will report directly to the UNCDF Programme Manager overseeing the LoCAL Mozambique programme She/he will be based in Maputo, at the Ministry of Finance office in Maputo city.

The Programme Associate will provide regulatory and technical advice to the national counterparts, local councils in mainstreaming climate change and environmental sustainability into public planning and budgeting systems at sub-national level and will provide technical support for the overall Government led management  of MERCIM+ initiative, including overall gender-sensitive planning, oversight and monitoring of project implementation and substantive and financial reporting.

Core competencies:
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 :

Education:

•    Secondary education is required, or 
•    A Univesity degree (Bachelor´s Degree) in environmental management, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction political science, international development, economics, statistics, human rights , Development or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

•    A minimum of six (6) years (with High school degree) or three (3) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in progressively responsible positions in the implementation and monitoring of development projects in climate change.

Required skills:

•    Experience in providing technical advice to public sector bodies in aspects of planning, management and execution of civil, agricultural, water and sanitation construction projects;
•    Experience in developing materials and methodologies and organizing training;
•    Experience with the Mozambican rural context regarding planning and management of public works;
•    Proven/demonstrable networking skills and ability to associate with a range of actors (partners and multi-actor, multi-level and multi-dimensional actions, such as: central and local governments; political decision-makers; development partners and donors, local communities, women's groups and young people), with a view to building highly desirable relationships and facilitating engagement;

Desired skills:

•    Experience working with local actors, in particular local governments and local communities, and in addressing gender equality as a Program objective and/or cross-cutting issue is desirable;
•    A strong awareness of key and emerging issues related to climate change and adaptation is highly desirable;
•    Experience of working with UNCDF or other UN agency in Mozambique is an asset;
•    Experience in project cycle, budget/financial management and coordination is desired.
•    Proven cross-cultural communication, able to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment and manage a team consisting of multiple nationalities is desired

Required Language(s):

•    Fluency in in English and Portuguese are required. 

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.

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. 

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.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

#LI-DNI