Portfolio Analyst Manager United Nations Development Programme Experience: 0 to 3 Years Belgrade, Serbia Apply By: 08-03-2025

There is a need to consolidate this work and respond to the expressed need of the Government, as well as to engage with the wider digital and innovation ecosystem and further steer the portfolio towards issues relating to the future of governance and technology. The current portfolio team of 8 is expected to grow in the near future, and new partnerships and synergies will be expected. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist – Governance and in collaboration with UNDP’s Digital Advisor and the Accelerator Lab, the Portfolio Analyst (Manager) provides ongoing policy advice to UNDP and partners, steers the Country Office’s work on digital governance, and is responsible for the monitoring of projects in the Digital Innovation Portfolio. The Portfolio Analyst (Manager) ensures that projects produce the results specified in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. The Portfolio Analyst (Manager) supervises the team of project managers and other staff, contributing to a high-performance culture and creating opportunities for learning and development. 

Specific responsibilities will include the following:

Management of portfolio projects in accordance with UNDP Program and Operations Policies and Procedures and UNDP Serbia Standard Operating Procedures:

• Be responsible and accountable for the overall management and administration of portfolio projects, and the timely and quality delivery of all project outputs;
• Ensure implementation of project activities, by working closely with project teams and other staff assigned to the projects;
• Supervise and manage the project staff;
• Build, motivate, and lead the project team;
• Prepare project work plans, and annual work plans and ensure timely and good-quality implementation of work plan activities;
• Oversee and participate in the mobilization of personnel, goods, and services and oversee contractors’ work;
• In coordination with partners and the portfolio team, develop and manage an overall portfolio implementation strategy;
• Prepare project work plans and present them to national project directors/project boards for review/approval;
• Support the work and decision-making of project boards by providing timely, detailed, and accurate information to the project board members;
• Prepare project board sessions to ensure minute-taking and information-sharing;
• Coordinate an exit strategy at least 6 months ahead of project closure dates; ensure closure of projects is done per the established procedures.

Monitor portfolio progress, manage risks, report on progress and capture results and learnings: 

• Support in managing project finances;
• Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for tracking and evaluating progress against the agreed targets;
• Monitor expenditures of financial resources to ensure compliance with rules and procedures and accuracy and reliability of financial reports; ensure preparation of budget revisions as necessary;
• Follow up with national project directors and the project boards on issues;
• Monitor the progress of projects in the portfolio to ensure alignment with project documents and preparation of regular updates and reports to Project Boards on progress, implementing issues, emerging risks/problems, and proposals for necessary remedial actions;
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; ensure preparation of budget revisions as necessary; follow up with relevant UNDP colleagues on issues;
• Collect and manage project data as required by the M&E Plan;
• Manage project risks; inform project boards on emerging issues and risks, update the issue and risk status;
• Support the preparation of reviews and evaluations as defined in the project documents;
• Prepare final project reports and papers;
• Approve good quality Terms of Reference for engagement of consultants and companies;
• Coordinate activities with other projects in the governance cluster, ensuring overall coherence with shared objectives.

Networking, partner relations and provision of policy advice on relevant policy themes, as they emerge from portfolio actions and the surrounding ecosystem:

• Maintain regular communication and effective cooperation and coordination with national counterparts, project partners and other relevant stakeholders;
• Ensure the incorporation into the portfolio of best practices and lessons learned on digital governance and innovation worldwide;
• Maintain regular communication with relevant public institutions to advise them on developments concerning the portfolio and provide recommendations for action;
• Actively identify and mobilize new partnerships and funding sources (resource mobilization) for new projects and initiatives, ensure blending of finance;
• Provide support to Programme Analyst – Team Leader for Good Governance in the design of new pipeline initiatives primarily under the portfolio themes, in line with the Country Program Document and in agreement with Senior Management;
• Ensure coordination with projects of other development partners;
• Maintain and further build UNDP’s position in the portfolio sector;
• Identify, collect, and analyze relevant policy-related information and data ;
• Prepare briefs, talking points and relevant materials;
• Actively participate in and coordinate meetings, training sessions, conferences, and public promotion of projects.

Provide quality assurance for portfolio results and deliverables, and ensure these results are duly communicated:

• Review from a quality assurance perspective all portfolio outputs/products/deliverables;
• Ensure the portfolio has the required communication package and proactively prepare information and communication materials sharing insights and results with various partners and audiences;
• Assume responsibilities in line with the Internal Control Framework and act as a `first authority` for project transactions.

Team management:

• Develop the portfolio team, support individual growth and professional development, and facilitate team learning and knowledge sharing.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Skills and Experience: 

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Information Technology, Social Science or a related field is required, OR;
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Information Technology, Social Sciences or related field in combination with additional 2 years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in the field of international/multilateral development context.

Required Skills:

• Experience in managing teams and complex projects/processes that included extensive communication, coordination, and facilitation requirements;
• Good application of Results-Based Management;
• Excellent communication, coordination and facilitation skills;
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of work;
• Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/24410