Programme Support Associate: Inclusive Growth

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's lead agency for international development, working in 170 countries to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. UNDP South Africa focuses on promoting inclusive economic growth, employment, entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, and social inclusion. The agency also plays a key role in UN inter-agency coordination, co-chairing thematic groups and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. This assignment offers a young professional practical experience in development programming and inter-agency coordination within the UN system.

Job Purpose

This role supports UNDP South Africa's programmes focused on inclusive economic growth, employment creation, entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, and social inclusion. The position is crucial for the effective implementation of these programmes, requiring strong project coordination, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, reporting, and collaboration skills. The incumbent will also contribute to UNDP's coordination functions within the UN Country Team, specifically supporting its roles in Results Group 1 (Economic and Social Inclusion) and the Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation (PRM) Theme Group. This assignment provides valuable exposure to programme management, UN system coordination, partnership development, and resource mobilization, fostering the development of practical competencies in these areas through structured learning and mentorship.

Responsibilities

The Programme Support Associate will support programme coordination and implementation by assisting with the planning, coordination, and execution of activities promoting inclusive growth, employment, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion. This includes coordinating programme activities, meetings, workshops, and field missions, and ensuring effective logistical and administrative support. The role involves supporting UNCT internal coordination mechanisms, particularly UNDP's roles as Deputy Chair of Results Group 1 and Co-Chair of the PRM Theme Group, by assisting with meeting administration, documentation, and follow-up. Additionally, the associate will conduct research, collect and analyze data on relevant development topics, and support the preparation of background papers and briefing notes. Monitoring, reporting, and results tracking are key, involving maintaining activity trackers, compiling information, and supporting the collection of performance data for programme reports. The position also entails supporting knowledge management by organizing documentation and documenting lessons learned, and facilitating stakeholder engagement with government institutions, development partners, and other UN agencies. General administrative support, including logistics, travel, and record management, is also required.

Work Experience

No prior experience is required. However, one year of relevant experience is desirable in areas such as development programmes, project coordination, programme support, stakeholder engagement, partnerships, resource mobilization, reporting, knowledge management, inter-agency coordination, research, policy analysis, or sustainable development initiatives. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and skills in project administration, report writing, meeting coordination, professional communication, planning, organization, and research are beneficial.

Skills

Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, flexibility, building trust, client orientation, commitment, motivation, continuous learning, communication, ethics, values, integrity, knowledge sharing, planning, organizing, professionalism, respect for diversity, self-management, technological awareness, and teamwork. Specific skills in administration and community development are also relevant.

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