Programme Specialist PISP (Productive Inclusion and Social Protection) [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Tiered Approach

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.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates in more than 170 countries and territories, providing support for policy development, leadership and partnership skills, institutional capacity building, and resilience strengthening to promote sustainable development. In Colombia, UNDP works across 32 departments and 360 municipalities through various modalities of work, mainly projects with direct implementation (DIM) or projects supporting national implementation (NIM).

UNDP is part of the 26 UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes in Colombia, contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025-2027 aims to support the Colombian government's efforts in transitioning towards peace and consolidating its status as an upper-middle-income country. It focuses on four key priorities: 1) Peacebuilding, human security, and social justice, 2) Social protection and socio-economic inclusion, 3) Environment, climate action, and energy transition and 4) Enablers of the 2030 Agenda.

At the programmatic level, UNDP Colombia country office (CO) is structured into two clusters and five portfolios: The Inclusive Sustainable Development Cluster, which includes the Sustainable Development Portfolio and the Productive Inclusion and Social Protection Portfolio and The Peacebuilding and Inclusive Governance Cluster, which encompasses the Democratic Governance Portfolio, the Peacebuilding Portfolio, and the Crisis Response and Rule of Law Portfolio.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative in matrix management with the Deputy Resident Representative, the Programme Specialist (PISP) is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the Productive Inclusion and Social Protection Portfolio. The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social, and economic trends and leads formulation, management, and monitoring ensuring issues-based approaches and synergies with other areas of work within his/her portfolio and provides policy advice services. The program specialist will lead the consolidation of the productive inclusion portfolio and the development of the social protection portfolio, aligned with UNDP's vision as a comprehensive offering aimed at protecting and preventing, promoting capabilities, and transforming structures for a society with greater social justice.

The Programme Specialist (Productive Inclusion and Social Protection) contributes to strengthen UNDP`s position to help address national challenges as part of its efforts to perform its mandate focusing its impact on vulnerable groups (indigenous, afro descendants and women) with a gender and human rights-based approach and conflict sensitivity.

Supervises and leads programme personnel, coordinates activities of the project`s personnel; assures coherent response as part of the Inclusive Sustainable Development Cluster, works in close collaboration with other programme and the operations teams, project coordinators, Government officials, civil society, private sector, programme personnel in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs personnel and technical advisors/experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

The Programme Specialist will perform a variety of programme and project duties and will be responsible but not limited to guide the identification, design, formulation, results oriented monitoring and management of evaluations of programmes/projects, ensuring that they are properly implemented and contribute to the expected UNDP Country Programme (CPD) outcomes as well guaranteeing UNDP´s core principles of transparency, efficiency and quality in general.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordination of Productive Inclusion and Social Protection PISP portfolio in close coordination and articulation with other areas of work.
• Generation of top-quality policy advice on PISP issues for the government at national, regional, and local levels, as well as internally within UNDP.
• Formulation, design, and implementation of programme strategies within PISP needs and CPD framework ensuring an issue-based approach, human rights-based approach, gender approach and conflict sensitivity.
• Creation of strategic partnerships and design and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy.
• Supervision of programme personnel and compliance of UNDP strategic and operational policies and procedures

1.) Coordination of Productive Inclusion and Social Protection Portfolio as part of the Inclusive Sustainable Development Cluster in close articulation with other areas of work focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Coordinates the Productive Inclusion and Social Protection portfolio to assure integral and issues-based programmatic approach.
• Conducts thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents.
• Collects and analyses information about the Productive Inclusion and Social Protection and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) situation at the national, regional and local levels for proposing public policies in order to their achievement.
• Identifies areas of support and interventions within the Productive Inclusion and Social Protection areas, as part of the Inclusive Sustainable Development Cluster in close coordination, with other areas of work.
• Actively contributes to the application of issues-based approach to UNDP´s work at national, departmental and local levels to assure coherence and effectiveness of UNDP´s work in Colombia. CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.
• Promotes the inclusion of cross-cutting issues (e.g. gender, human rights) where UNDP could strengthen its position to help address national challenges as part of its efforts to perform its mandate.

2.) Generation of top-quality policy advice on PISP issues for the government at national, regional, and local levels, as well as internally within UNDP.

• Generates top-quality policy advice services on PISP issues to the Government at the national, regional and local levels.
• Promotes corporate policies on PISP, SDGs and linkages with global and regional programmes in this area of work and coordination with Sustainable Development and Resilience Cluster for UNDP regional Hub for LAC.
• Identifies sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Supports the development of policies and institutions that will address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice as well as knowledge building and sharing within the CO and implementing.
• Promotes continuous learning and trainings for programme and projects personnel on programme issues.
• Enhances UNDP’s value added as a trusted partner of the local, regional and national level stakeholders.
• Formulation, design, and implementation of programme strategies within PISP needs and CPD framework ensuring an issue-based approach, human rights-based approach, gender approach and conflict sensitivity.

3.) Designs and supports CPD formulation within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into national, regional and local interventions.

• Coordinates programme implementation with the implementing partners. Introduces performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
• Supervises the quality of programme/project to be presented to the local PAC by the Programme Analyst; quality control and follow up of contribution agreements; aware of the closure of projects once finalized. Programme Specialist can perform functions of Senior Manager in the ERP.
• Manages the application of RBM tools, establishment of targets for the achievement of results, and leads results-oriented monitoring of the PISP portfolio, including assurance of quality reporting oriented to results and management of outcome-oriented evaluations.

4.) Creation of strategic partnerships and design and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy:

• Possesses clear awareness of the bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors’ priorities. Prepares substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation to identify opportunities and niches for jointly development programmes/projects.
• Develops partnerships with key stakeholders in the country, as government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society, IFI’s, UN agencies in specific thematic areas based on SDGss and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Conducts analysis and research of information on donors, prepares substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identifies opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
• Formulates and implements a resource mobilization strategy for new projects on relevant thematics with the national government, the local governments, international cooperation, private sector, foundations and other sources. Brings significant increase of the budget directly implemented by the PISP portfolio.
  Coordinates at technical level with international donors on relevant topics of the portfolio.
  Coordinates at technical level with UN agencies with concrete results towards a Delivery as One approach.

5.) Supervision of programme personnel and assurance of compliance to office strategic and operational requirements.

• Oversees and guarantees compliance with UNDP`s rules, regulations, and procedures by programme personnel under his/her supervision.
• Jointly with Programme Analysts, performs systematic follow-up of annual work plans for guaranteeing their planned results as well as their overall implementation.
• Conducts risk management to mitigate its possible impact on programmes/projects.
• Guarantees that programme analysts under his/her supervision contribute substantively to the audit of NIM (National Implementation) /DIM (Direct Implementation) and NGOs projects within its portfolio.
• Guarantees that the programme analysts make adequate follow-up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
• Supervises timely and substantive submission of mandatory reports to the counterparts, donors, and HQ.
• Provides orientation, support, guidance, and advice to the representation, proactively and anticipatively, utilizing strategic management and analysis, and following the representation's instructions as required.

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

Competencies

Core Competencies

• ACHIEVE RESULTS - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
• THINK INNOVATEVELY - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• LEARN CONTINUOUSLY - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• ADAPT WITH AGILITY - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• ACT WITH DETERMINATION - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• ENGAGE AND PARTNER - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
• ENABLE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional Competencies

• BUSINESS DIRECTION & STRATEGY
  • NEGOTIATION AND INFLUENCE: Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
  • 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.
• BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
  • INTEGRATION WITHIN THE UN: Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.
  • COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE DESIGN: Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.
• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
  • PARTNERSHIPS MANAGEMENT: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
  • PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social/Economic Sciences is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Social/Economic Sciences in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and managing of development programmes/projects.
• Proven leadership skills in multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• In depth knowledge about productive inclusion and social protection in development countries as well as the challenges in these areas, including SDGs.
• Familiarized with poverty reduction policies, employment and sustainable livelihood generation and other policies related to extreme poverty and inequality challenges in the country; in particular those related to vulnerable or discriminated groups such as indigenous, afro-descendants, displaced, women and others.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.

Additional desirable criteria:

• Additional experience (at least 5 years) in comprehensive social protection project management is highly desirable.
• Experience in UN is highly desirable.
• Experience applying UNDP programme and operations policies and guidelines is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in leading the implementation and management of social and/or economic programmes is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Important applicant information

All posts in the NO categories are subject to local recruitment. This position is open to Colombian nationals only.

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.

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 to request any such information on sexual misconduct concerning the applicant during UNDP’s recruitment process.

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.

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