Trust Fund Manager [Open to Internal and External candidates]

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

Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law.

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

To support UN joint programming in the provision of basic human needs, a Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (hereinafter referred as the Fund or STFA) was established on 20 October 2021.

The Fund serves as an inter-agency mechanism to enable donors to channel their resources and coordinate their support to the UN joint programmes in support of the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) which serves as the strategic planning framework for the United Nations in Afghanistan. The Steering Committee is the decision making structure for the Fund while the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) acts as the Administrative Agent. The Trust Fund Management Unit (TFMU) is the Fund Secretariat for STFA and is the entity responsible for the operational functioning of the Fund and provides technical and management support to the Steering Committee. The STFA will be directly supervised by the Resident Coordinator while UNDP will provide administrative support to the Secretariat, TFMU.

Under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Resident Coordinator and matrix reporting of the UNDP Resident Representative, the Trust Fund Manager supports the Trust Fund governance structures to engage with relevant stakeholders (donor community and development partners) through the Trust Fund Steering Committee and Technical Coordination Working Group (TCWG) mechanism. The Trust Fund Manager leads the Project Management, Finance, Communications as well as Monitoring and Evaluation teams housed in the Trust Fund Management Unit. The team composition shall be adjusted over time as and when approved by the Steering Committee. The Trust Fund Manager will report administratively to the UNDP Resident Representative.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The Trust Fund Manager performs functions related to (1) management and coordination of the activities financed by the Trust Fund and advice to the Steering Committee on the Fund strategic priorities; (2) advocacy and building strategic partnerships; (3) knowledge management and impact analysis of the activities financed by the Trust Fund; and (4) management and oversight of the TFMU.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Management and coordination of the activities financed by the Trust Fund and advice to the Steering Committee on the Fund strategic priorities

• Provide strategic advice to the STFA Steering Committee on Fund related matters. 2. Advocacy and Building Strategic Partnerships
  • Support the Resident Coordinator, donors and Participating UN Organizations in the review and redesign of the governance arrangements; strategies and coordination arrangements, as needed, ensuring alignment to Agenda 2030 as well as national sectoral and cross-cutting priorities.
  • Ensure the development of the Fund’s strategic planning documents.
  • Oversee the review and updating of the Fund ToR and the Operations Manual.
  • Ensure effective technical and administrative support to the Steering Committee and TCWGs’ processes and follow-up of on decisions.
  • Liaise and ensure close coordination with the Fund Administrative Agent (MPTF Office in New York).
  • Guide the Participating UN Organizations on the programming processes and requirements as laid out in the TF Operations Manual.
  • Implement call for proposals in line with the Fund procedures and Resource Allocation Criteria.
  • Ensure quality control of the MPTF funded projects, including coherence, risk management and application of cross-cutting approaches within the Fund.
  • Ensure Fund monitoring through the Fund-level Results Management System.
  • Ensure the development and implementation of the Fund Risk Management Strategy.
  • Ensure and oversee the production of the Fund annual reports and other updates.
  • Develop and ensure implementation of the Fund's communication strategy and visibility plan.