Yaounde, Cameroon
Job Identification
14467
Locations
Yaounde, Cameroon
Apply Before : 11/20/2023, 05:59 AM
Job Schedule
Full time
Agency
UNDP
Grade
P4
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
Practice Area
Inclusive Growth
Bureau
Regional Bureau for Africa
Contract Duration
1 Year with Possibility for extension
Education & Work Experience
Master’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 9 year(s) experience
Required Languages
Proficiency in Oral and written French Language
Desired Languages
Proficiency in Oral and written English Language
Vacancy Timeline
1 Week
Mobility required/no mobility
mobility required
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Job Description
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the vulnerability of the cameroonian economy, especially the private sector. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), it was estimated that nearly 90% of companies declared themselves affected by COVID -19, with shutdowns of activities due to drops in demand (94.2% of companies), supply difficulties (76%), financing (72%). Also, 82.6% of business owners recorded a drop in their production, 95.5% in turnover and 52.8% of their workforce under unemployment. The informal sector was also affected and several actors (45%) experienced difficulties obtaining financing from formal as well as other informal financing institutions. This situation had further weakened the private sector and more particularly very small, small and medium-sized enterprises, and had eroded the purchasing power of households and slowed down the implementation of the Government’s economic recovery program. The impacts in the crisis regions were particularly pronounced.
To tackle the consequences of COVID-19, the Government has developed in collaboration with the Technical and Financial Partners (PTFs) a COVID-19 Response Strategy to support economic and social resilience, with a total cost of 480 billion FCFA. The response strategy is consistent with the main orientations of the second phase of the development vision for 2035, the axes of which are contained in the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30). Thus, actions envisaged as part of the response, particularly with regards to the second pillar on economic and financial resilience, place particular emphasis on the development of the private sector through the process of structural transformation, the valorization of local production, reducing dependence on food imports and promoting economic patriotism. In addition, with a view to improving the financing of the real economy, the Government has developed, with the technical and financial support of UNDP, the National Strategy for Inclusive Finance (NSIF 2023-2027), the implementation of which should enable ultimately to strengthen the development of entrepreneurship for women and young people.
In addition, as an emerging challenge resulting from the conflict in Ukraine, the country including the private sector has suffered the consequences of global difficulties in the supply chain of food and agricultural products. In order to sustainably respond to the negative effects of these external shocks on the private sector and in particular on SMEs, the Government of Cameroon has mobilized financing from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to finance an important socio-economic recovery project for SMEs intitled “Opération de soutien au secteur privé camerounais affecté par la pandémie de la COVID-19”. The Ministry of Economy, Planning and Territorial Development (MINEPAT) ensures the institutional leadership in the operationalization while UNDP ensures the technical and financial implementation.
In order to effectively support the programmatic implementation of the project, UNDP is looking for an international expertise (Programme Specialist) to carry out interventions to promote entrepreneurship and reinforce the private sector to impulse economic competitiveness and inclusive growth. On the Inclusive Finance Agenda, the Programme Specialist will guide strategic decision-making to facilitate the implementation of the NSIF. Beyond this, the Programme Specialist will also support resources mobilization efforts based on key partnerships to be established through sustained advocacy, and strengthening a constructive dialogue with Technical and Financial Partners around all the stages of implementation of the NSIF.
Position Purpose
The Programme Specialist will be responsible of private sector development, including ensuring the successful implementation of the project jointly funded by the Government, BADEA and UNDP. Furthermore, the mission will support the financial inclusion agenda, especially the operationalization of the National Inclusive Finance Strategy 2023-2027, in favor of financing the private sector. And finally, he/she will also support partnership and resources mobilization initiatives at the CO level.
Duties and Responsibilities
Advise for development and dynamization of the private sector:
the Programme Specialist is the focal point for initiatives related to private sector support. His/Her work on the private sector will primarily focus on the implementation of the following:
Provide leadership and strategic support to the implementation, monitoring & evaluation, reporting of the Project supporting SMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – intitled “Opération de soutien au secteur privé camerounais affecté par la pandémie de la COVID-19”;
Ensure the efficient technical and financial management of the Project.
Lead in-depth studies on SMEs development and ensure the implementation of recommendations with a view to improve the business environment, the development/deployment of innovations for the promotion of private investments, SMEs & startups managed by women and young entrepreneurs.
Ensure an efficient management and a smooth coordination between all stakeholders involved in the project;
Ensure close communication between the CO, RBA and BADEA;
Ensure a close follow-up of the implementation of the UNDP-Government financial agreement;
Provide strategic advisory support and ensure the coordination of partnerships between the Government, private sector entities and UNDP country office on issues related to the promotion of inclusive growth;
Design and develop relevant programme strategies in the area of Innovative Financing and Private Sector Engagement;
Manage technical assistance and capacity development to private sector partners;
Provide support to national initiatives for the mapping and identification of new market opportunities in the context of the AfCFTA;
Ensure the effective deployment, efficient management and monitoring of appropriate financing tools to finance local SMEs, including operationalization of credit lines;
Support the Government’s efforts to promote the emergence of a competitive private sector promoting the “Made in Cameroon” branding;
Consolidate advocacy and UNDP’s positioning on the agenda of private sector support in Cameroun, while ensuring development of synergies with initiatives conducted by other development partners;
Perform other duties as required by the supervisor
Technical support for the implementation and management of innovative inclusive finance programmes:
The Programme Specialist is responsible for the overall management of the UNDP CO programme in the area of promoting access to finance for all, innovative and cost-effective approaches including digitalization and creating an enabling environment and ecosystem for the financial market. He/She provides appropriate policy advice and guidance to the Ministry of Finance through the Support Unit for the NSIF (PASNFI) for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the National Strategy of Inclusive Finance, particularly with a view to professionalization and development of the sector. For this purpose, he/she:
Provides technical support in the operationalization of the action plan of the National Strategy of Inclusive Finance;
Provide technical leadership in the elaboration of the new Programme for Inclusive Finance for the operationalization of the NSIF;
Provides technical support to the country office in building capacity in Inclusive Finance;
Provides political and technical support in dialogue with key stakeholders including donors;
Provides technical support to the development of concept notes, program formulation, terms of reference for consultant recruitment, review of interim and final reports, participation in validation workshops, and quality assurance of consultants’ documents;
Facilitate engagement with Banks, MFIs and Investors to unlock private finance for SMEs, including innovative finance models (crowdfunding, business angels, venture capital, etc.);
Provide technical assistance for the planning and facilitation of the donors’ round table around the funding of the National Strategy of Inclusive Finance;
Ensure the timely completion of logistical arrangements and facilitate the roundtable meeting in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance;
Finalize the round table meeting report and the strategic matrix for the follow-up of donors’ engagements based on the results of the meeting;
Facilitate the coordination of all country level interventions in the domain of financial inclusion, in collaboration with the PASNFI;
Provides strategic support to the promotion of innovation in the sector by supporting the identification of opportunities and the deployment of Digital Finance tools, while ensuring the coordination of key stakeholders (Central Bank, Government, Banks, MFIs, Telecom Operators, FinTech, etc.);
Supports the CO in the execution of corporate strategic innovation priorities, following UNDP Digital Strategy;
Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.
Participate to the resource mobilization and the development of strategic partnerships with focus on international financial institutions and the private sector:
The Programme Specialist supports the Country Office to pursue the resource mobilization efforts with donors and maintain an established relationship with them. In particular he/she will have to
Lead identification of emerging sources of funding and scanning of the opportunities for resource mobilization;
Provide effective technical support for the development of proposals and the structuring of a pipeline of large-scale and bankable projects;
Provide technical and strategic support to the Senior Management in driving the development and implementation of strategic partnerships with non-traditional strategic partners, including International Financial Institutions (IFIs);
Prepare high-level presentations and reports for donors; as well as talking points on key issues related to UNDP’s engagement with IFIs for use in various fora;
Build, maintain and expand networks with senior officials of Government to ensure that UNDP is effectively positioned as a partner of choice in the design, implementation, and funding of their programs and initiatives;
Provide leadership in building and maintaining strategic partnerships with the private sector;
Actively collaborate with the RBA team on promoting cooperation and building strategic partnerships between the CO and IFIs;
Perform other duties as required by the supervisor
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: 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
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & 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 Direction & Strategy-Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
Business Direction & Strategy-Entrepreneurial Thinking: Ability to create clarity around UNDP Value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDPs organizational priorities and mandate
Business Direction & Strategy-Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates situations
Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Partnership Management -Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Business Management-Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, International Development, Finance, Business Management, Law or related field is required. or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
Minimum of 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and international in Private sector development and financing; Areas of Innovative Inclusive Finance, Private sector analysis/expansion or related field is required
Experience in the use of computer tools, knowledge of common software (Microsoft Office) and management experience in a networking environment will be required.
Experience in development or implementation of sectoral policies and strategies, particularly in the areas of inclusive finance, SME finance, digital finance, microfinance, agricultural / rural finance will be an asset;
Proven international experience in conducting private sector support program will be an asset;
Proven international experience in technical assistance in a financial inclusion program will be an asset
Proven experience in strategic partnership building and resource mobilization including demonstrated experience in resource mobilization with IFIs will be an asset;
Proven experience in the design, formulation, management or evaluation of development projects / programs will be an asset;
Experience with the UN system will be an asset;
Work experience in Cameroon and knowledge of the landscape of private sector, demand and supply of financial services at the national level would be considerable assets.
Language:
Proficiency in written and oral French language is required
Proficiency in written and oral English language is an asset
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
All applications must be submitted ONLINE at : https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/14467
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