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:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
UNDP's Country Programme in Morocco (2023–2027) is fully aligned with the New Development Model, the Government Programme, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the UNDP Strategic Plan, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It emphasizes a human rights-based approach, gender equity, and the principle of leaving no one behind. The Country Programme builds on previous development results and leverages UNDP country, regional and global institutional capacities, including South-South and triangular cooperation.
UNDP Country Office in Morocco works in close partnership with the Government and the international community to advance the New Development Model's objectives of structural transformation toward a more inclusive, empowered, sustainable and resilient economy and society, contributing to broader African prosperity. The UNDP Resident Representative (RR) leads and oversees the work of the Country Office, seconded by the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR Programme & Operations). The Country Office comprises approximately 50 staff and personnel and delivers around USD 25 million in programmatic support to Morocco annually.
The Country Office characterised by multiple thematic portfolios, a diverse donor base, and a mix of Direct and National Implementation Modalities requires a dedicated Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) to provide support to quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation, audit coordination, risk management, and corporate compliance support across the full programme cycle. The PMSU Coordinator leads this function and acts as a strategic advisor to senior management on the integrity, performance and accountability of the UNDP Morocco programme portfolio.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme & Operations), the PMSU Coordinator supports the effective management and monitoring of the UNDP programme portfolio, including substantive and financial monitoring, planning and target setting, the development and oversight of standard procedures, and the implementation of partnership and donor agreements based on agreed annual work plans.
The PMSU Coordinator acts as a quality assurance advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of the programme and provides advice to the DRR and to programme units on strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, audit, risk management, the Internal Control Framework, Results-Based Management, and financial management of the programming portfolio. The PMSU Coordinator also works closely with Operations and the Service Centre, acting as a bridge between programme and operations functions and enhancing information sharing across units.
Key functions
In particular, the PMSU Coordinator will:
1. Advise the DRR on and coordinate programme strategic planning and corporate reporting
Provide catalytic support on programme strategic planning in relation to the CPD, UNSDCF, UNDP Strategic Plan, and coordinate annual programme planning exercises across portfolios.
Coordinate the preparation of the Integrated Work Plan (IWP), the Results-Oriented Annual Report (ROAR), and other corporate planning and results-reporting exercises.
Support the Senior Management Team (SMT) in business process mapping and the establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures for results management and workflow control across programme units.
Contribute to regular assessments of the country strategic plans and implementation plans, identifying lessons learned and areas of emphasis to underpin consistently improved programming.
Introduce innovation and best practices to enhance programme performance.
2. Support the DRR in providing quality assurance, financial oversight and policy advice across the programme cycle
Support strategic oversight of programme planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring across the Country Office, tracking the use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
Strengthen internal control systems and maintain compliance standards across the Country Office, in close coordination with the Operations Unit.
- Foster collaboration between programme units, project teams, HQ and the RBAS Regional Hub, ensuring sound financial performance through programme resource analysis (including DPC/DES) and effective resource planning. Advise on implementation modalities (DIM, NIM, etc.) based on UNDP rules and regulations and advise project staff and implementing partners on control systems and operational compliance. Assess work processes and procedures with Team Leaders and Project Managers to ensure tasks are carried out with maximum efficiency. Monitor Country Office delivery, resource mobilization, TRAC allocation, revenue management and cost recovery, and support periodic monitoring of corporate dashboards and exceptions, identifying remedial actions. Provide quality assurance for legal and partnership instruments, including Letters of Agreement (LoAs), Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Micro-Capital Grants (MCGs), and Cost-Sharing Agreements, ensuring compliance with UNDP rules and regulations. Provide quality assurance for CO HACT payments, as a complement to programme and operations assurances, highlighting issues which require additional due diligence or complementary documentation, and advising on continuous quality improvements for effective, transparent and swift processes in support to implementation. Ensure effective application of Results-Based Management (RBM) tools, establishment of management targets, compliance with corporate requirements, and rigorous use of Quantum and other UNDP corporate platforms. Oversee adherence to procurement plans and ensure the efficient use of resources in accordance with UNDP rules and policies. 3. Lead the design and implementation of the Country Office monitoring and evaluation system Provide technical advice on M&E for projects within the Country Office portfolio, including the design of M&E frameworks with defined indicators and theories of change to facilitate evaluation at later stages. Promote evaluation standards, quality assurance and capacity development within the programme. Facilitate quarterly, mid-year and annual reviews of project indicators and targets to assess progress, identify constraints and gaps, and provide recommendations for course correction. Ensure that evaluation findings feed into policy, programme and project design, and oversee the timely preparation of management responses to all evaluations. Provide methodological support to project units during the formulation, approval and implementation of M&E procedures and instruments, and select appropriate RBM tools, particularly for monitoring. Carry out programme analysis at outcome and sub-outcome level, in collaboration with programme and operations teams, to capture lessons learned and ensure that risks are properly monitored and mitigated. Undertake regular field visits to ensure compliance and timely execution of monitoring and evaluation activities by project units. Support the conduct of project and outcome-level evaluations in collaboration with the RR/DRR, programme teams, and the Independent Evaluation Office, including evaluations measuring the impact of the Country Office programme. 4. Coordinate audit, risk management and assurance exercises
- Assess risk areas and work with project personnel to minimize risk exposure, in consultation with relevant project and operations teams and under the oversight of the Country Office Management Team. Coordinate periodic Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) exercises and other assurance activities. Prepare audit plans for projects and the Country Office, and coordinate audit exercises with senior management, project teams, implementing partners and external auditors. Monitor the implementation of previous audit recommendations and report status to the Country Office Management Team at regular intervals. Actively participate in project audits, internal controls and follow-up actions, and ensure compliance with audit quality standards and timeframes. Maintain and update the Country Office risk register, escalating significant risks to senior management as appropriate. 5. Manage the PMSU team and foster knowledge management across the Country Office Supervise the PMSU staff (M&E Associate, Finance Analyst, and any other PMSU personnel) in all staffing, financial, planning, administrative and monitoring matters, including performance management. Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing on quality programme management within the Country Office and with HQ and Regional Hub colleagues. Promote close cooperation and coordination between projects in the monitoring of both processes and impact of UNDP Morocco interventions. Disseminate good practices and advocate UNDP's successful experiences and substantive areas of expertise through global knowledge networks. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation Institutional arrangements The PMSU Coordinator reports directly to the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme & Operations). The incumbent supervises the PMSU team (M&E Associate NPSA 6 and Finance Assistant NPSA 5) and also works in collaboration with the Resident Representative, Programme Analysts and Project Coordinators across all thematic portfolios, the Operations Unit, the Service Centre, and Country Office Gender and Communications focal points. Externally and across the wider UNDP system, the PMSU Coordinator engages with the RBAS Regional Hub (Bureau for Arab States), UNDP Headquarters teams (Bureau for Programme and Policy Support, Bureau for Management Services, Independent Evaluation Office, Office of Audit and Investigations), implementing partners, donors, and external auditors. The incumbent contributes to United Nations Country Team M&E and audit processes as relevant. Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously:
LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility:
LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination:
LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
Thematic Area
Name
Definition
Business Direction and Strategy
System 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 Management
Risk Management
Identify and organize action around reducing,
mitigating and proactively managing risks.
Business Management
Monitoring and 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 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 client's upcoming
needs and concerns.
2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness
Effectiveness
RBM standards and practices for programming
Finance
Audit (General)
Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit
work in the public services. Understands the key stages of
audit work, including planning, documentation, testing and
reporting. Ability to examine and verify accounts and records.
Understands wider mechanisms for assurance and scrutiny.
Understands the law and best practice relating to anti-
bribery and corruption controls and the fraud risks faced by public bodies.
Required skills and experience
Min. Education requirements
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Finance, or a closely related field; Or
First-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in one of the above-mentioned fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience
A minimum of 2 years (with a master’s degree) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience, of which at least 2 years must be in programme management, monitoring and evaluation, audit, risk management, or internal controls, in a development cooperation or international organization context.
Required skills
Demonstrated experience supervising teams and/or leading teams is required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Strong knowledge and experience of implementing UNDP (or comparable UN) corporate compliance and programme management policies, tools and methods, as well as risk management processes, audit and internal control frameworks is desired.
Solid experience in Results-Based Management, theory of change, indicator design, and evaluation management is desired.
Demonstrated experience working with corporate ERP and programme management platforms (e.g. Quantum, or equivalent) is desirable.
Prior experience working in or with a UNDP Country Office on M&E, PMSU, audit or operations functions is an asset. Prior experience in internal audit functions is an asset.
Required Language(s)
Fluency in French and Arabic (written and spoken) is required.
Working knowledge of English is required, given the use of UNDP corporate platforms, donor reporting and HQ engagement in English.
Professional Certificates
n/a
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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.
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