Field Associate (3 positions), (NPSA 7), Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale (Ghana)

Background

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operation 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, UNOs, 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 that are highly impactful, while also recognising the need to multiply the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for various 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.  

In Ghana, UNCDF is managing a portfolio of projects focused on youth empowerment, SME finance and climate finance for a total portfolio of 10M USD. Under this framework UNCDF team is supporting a wide range of service providers from public and private sector to design and pilot new business models to increase access and usage of digital services for the most vulnerable segments (youth, women, MSMEs in particular). Actual implementation of the different projects targets the regions outside Greater Accra, where access and usage of services remain a challenge. In particular areas specifically targeted by the projects under the active portfolio include: Kumasi, Tamale et Takoradi.  

To this end, UNCDF is looking for 3 candidates to lead the technical implementation and ensure delivery at the local level in the three targeted areas.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the UNCDF Technical Specialist based in Accra and in close collaboration with other colleagues in-country, the Field Associate / Coordinator will contribute to the delivery of UNCDF activities. Selected candidates will be responsible for leading and executing the following tasks and deliverables:  

Contribute to the execution of the delivery of country projects in the region of intervention by supporting UNCDF partners   

• Provide technical support to UNCDF partners in executing their plans in the region  
• Assist partners in the selected regions to execute and provide support if gaps persist  
• Coordinate day-to-day field activities with local government authorities, partners, community leaders, and beneficiaries  
• Facilitate community entry, stakeholder engagement, and participatory approaches to programme delivery  
• Support pilot activities, demonstrations, trainings, and sensitization sessions as required  
• Contribute to the coordination efforts with key stakeholders in leveraging linkages among the result areas of the project  

Contribute to Monitoring , Evaluation and Learning  activities at the regional level 

• Facilitate consultation and exchange of information, synergies, learning and know-how at the  local level  
• Monitor field-level implementation to ensure activities are delivered in line with approved work plans, timelines, and quality standards  
• Contribute to the data collection system in the region of intervention   
• Provide general administrative support to the successful implementation of activities/interventions/investments in the targeted MMDAs  
• Prepare regular field reports, mission reports, and inputs to progress reports.  
• Identify implementation challenges, risks, and opportunities, and propose practical solutions.  

Contribute to support knowledge-sharing efforts   

• Contribute with data and information collection to knowledge sharing creation (e.g. blog, case studies, infographics)  
• Support partners to identify learnings from the field to inform knowledge sharing and creation   
• Conduct desk and literature review on digital and Fintech solutions and keep abreast of the latest insights in market trends.  
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives at the regional level (events, workshops, etc.)  

Support Stakeholder engagement 

• Build and maintain relationships with the local government  
• Actively advocate for practices that support the objectives of UNCDF, leveraging professional expertise and networks.  

Administrative and Operational Support 

• Support logistics for field missions, trainings, workshops, and monitoring visits.  
• Ensure compliance with UNCDF and UN rules, procedures, and safeguarding standards in all field activities.  

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

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 a pragmatic problem solver, and 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 the 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 Direction & Strategy: Systems Thinking     

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

2030 Agenda Partnerships: SDG Integration

• SDG Monitoring and Reporting.

Finance: Development finance expertise

• Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc.

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Partnership Management: Relationship Management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Business: Monitoring & Evaluation

• Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
• Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of the client, current and upcoming.
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate the client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required, or A university degree (bachelor´s degree) in Economics, Finance, Accounting, and/or Business Administration or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement  

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four  (4) years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in development projects with international donors, preferably in the field of digital innovation and/or access to finance.  

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section  

• Relevant work experience in supporting community engagement or field operations  
• Relevant work experience in data collection tools and reporting systems  
• Computer and IT skills in Microsoft applications (e.g. MS Word and Excel)  
• Exposure to key stakeholders at the local level  
• Experience with UN entity or UN-funded programmes is an asset  
   

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

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

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