This position is located in the UNRCO in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and will be principally responsible for operationalizing a new Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) in support of Uzbekistan’s national SDGs. The Interim Head of Fund Secretariat reports to the UNRC, with a dotted reporting line to the Management Committee.

The Interim Head of Fund Secretariat will provide strategic, operational and administrative support in the operationalization of the Fund. He/she will report to the UNRC in Uzbekistan, working closely with fund stakeholders – which include the Uzbek government, the Swiss government, the UN and civil society.

Responsibilities:

 Within delegated authority, the Interim Head of Fund Secretariat will be responsible for the following duties:

Operationalization of the Fund: 

• Leads establishment of the Fund Secretariat to provide strategic, operational, and administrative support to the governance structure of the Vision 2030 Fund, as defined above
• Leads the development of the resource allocation strategy by soliciting and consolidating input from Results Group Chairs and Window C implementing partners, guiding the review of the strategy in the internal UN Task Force, and guiding the review and decision-making process by the Management Committee, incorporating feedback/revisions throughout the process.
• Ensures the Secretariat pro-actively provides technical guidance to the Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs) and UN specialized agencies (non-signatories of the UNSDCF) on the programming processes and requirements as laid out in the Operations Manual• Communicates decisions of the Management Committee to relevant partners, (including eligibility, maximum allocation available, timeline for programming and any strategic requirements).
• Oversees an efficient project approval cycle, with timely submission of properly appraised project/programme proposals with supporting documentation.
• Oversees finalization, approval and operationalization the Operations Manual, which includes the risk management strategy, M&E strategy and communications strategy
• Prepares and updates (quarterly) an annual workplan and budget for the MPTF Secretariat
• Prepares job descriptions and vacancy announcements, and identifies, hires and supervises staff and consultants
• Oversees development of staff workplans and quarterly reporting on progress within the Secretariat
• Supports consultations with civil society and the establishment of a Civil Society Advisory Council, ensuring Secretariat provides logistical and substantive support
• Supports the establishment and operationalization of the internal UN Task Force chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator and comprised of the chairs of the Results Groups, the head of the Resident Coordinator Office, and the Fund Secretariat

Leadership & Governance :

• Supports the Fund’s governance structures to develop and implement the vision of the Fund
• Provides strategic advice to the Fund’s governance structures – including the Management Committee, the internal UN Task Force and the Civil Society Consultative Forum – on all aspects of the Fund, including on policy, strategy, monitoring and compliance.
• Acts as liaison between the Fund’s governance structure and the UN Resident Coordinator/UN Country Team.
• Manages delegated authorities for the Fund.
• Other duties as requested by the UNRC and the Fund’s governance structure.

Building partnerships:

• Identifies and develops strategic and innovative partnerships with other entities, initiatives and/or organizations, especially key member states, other multilateral partners, the private sector (including investors and civil society).
• Contribute to develop partnerships within the UNDS and beyond that can be leveraged to support the implementation of projects funded by the Fund.
• Advocacy, Communication and Resource Mobilization:
• Represents the fund in various fora as necessary and communicates its work to the public and other stakeholders.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Senior UN officials, technical staff in relevant Secretariat units and in UN funds, programmes and other UN specialized agencies, representatives and officials in national governments, international organizations, consultants, and members of the diplomatic corps.
• Results Expected: By the end of 6 months, the Interim Head of Fund Secretariat ensures the Secretariat is at least partially staffed and operational; a Resource Allocation Strategy for the Fund is developed and agreed; an initial pipeline of projects/programmes is under development; Fund procedures in the operations manual are agreed and the Secretariat has raised awareness of procedures with key stakeholders; and administrative support is being effectively and efficiently provided to the governance structure. The Interim Head of Fund Secretariat also provides direction and sound and innovative advice on a wide range of issues, including developing strategies for issues on a long-term and large-scale basis to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results that ensure the best interests of the organization, and/or client. Delivers thorough, well reasoned contributions, e.g., policy recommendations, complex papers, analysis, substantive sections of reports and studies, publications, etc. Implements corrective action with respect to operational issues.

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience at international level in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
• Proven experience in managing and/or providing services for the design, management and monitoring and evaluation of a UN Trust Funds or large-scale UN Programmes including results-based management is required.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience in providing policy advice and developing programmatic solutions, tools and methodologies for the attainment of the SDGs is desirable.
• Experience in partnership development is desirable.
• Experience working in Central Asia is desirable.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat.
• For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of French is desirable.
• Knowledge of Russian and Uzbek are desirable.