UNDP Jobs - 27361- Human Development Report Team

Human Development Report Team - Coordinator

Location :

Brasília, BRAZIL

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Jan-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Portuguese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 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.

Background

The National Human Development Report (NHDR) is one of the most important vehicles for the UNDP to contribute to policy analysis and consultation on current and future issues crucial for furthering human development in the local context. The Brazil NHDR has had an impact on the Development Policy Making Process and analysis at many different levels: Central Government, State Government, Municipality and Neighbourhood, as well as the initiatives taken by the Private Sector. Human development has become an essential ingredient in Brazil’s planning process.
UNDP Brazil is now intensively engaged in the preparation of its National Human Development Report, including the preparation of the new edition of the Human Development Atlas and the Municipal Human Development Index (IDH-M) or related indices/products, based on the 2010 census data. It will be prepared in cooperation and partnership with research institutions, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and other research centers in Brazil, as well as in dialogue with Academia, Government, donors, civil society and the private sector.
The report will be an independent, distinctive piece of research, examining recent trends in human development, including inequality, race, gender and multidimensional poverty, if the census data is available. The report is expected to be released by the end of 2012, or early 2013.

Under the guidance of a Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative for the Programme, the Coordinator will lead the process of developing flagship reports like the NHDR Report and provide guidance for UN cooperation in a MIC context, promoting and facilitating broad consultation on the NHDR topic/findings, contributing to UNDP’s policy dialogue with the Government and other stakeholders and performing other activities within the scope of the preparation of the NHDR. Moreover, the Coordinator will advise Senior Management on macroeconomic and development policies and trends and relevant links to UNDP programmes. The Coordinator will provide analysis on the formulation of strategies and briefings to Senior Management. The Coordinator will work closely with Government counterparts to identify alternative macroeconomic and development policy options and to enhance the impact of policy on UNDP projects and programmes. The Coordinator will monitor economic policy developments and advise the Resident Representative and other members of the UNDP and its partners on policy issues.
The Coordinator will lead and supervise the Human Development Report team members, international and national consultants and project staff. He/she will maintain a network with colleagues from the UNDP, UN Agencies, IFI’s, Government officials, Universities, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society. The Coordinator will also dedicate his/her time to provide support to and coordination of the launch and analysis of other corporate reports, as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
Coordination of the preparation of National Human Development Reports and related products;
Advice to UNDP management on economic and development issues;
Advice to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building on economic and development issues;
Building of strategic partnerships and implementation of resource mobilization strategy;
Consultation and promotion of UNDP’s mandate and mission.

1. Coordinate the preparation of National Human Development Reports and related products with quality and efficiency, focusing on achieving the following results:
- Provision of substantial input for the design and finalization of the NHDR analytical framework and structure;
- Background research for the NHDR;
- Assist with reviewing all draft documents and background/commission papers;
- Support the finalization efforts of the consultant on research, including gathering relevant data, paper and materials etc;
- Development and regular update of the NHDR production timeline, identifying key milestones and potential gaps/risks during the preparation;
- Preparation of studies and economic/statistical analysis in respect of the HDI and its methodology, concentrating on its application to Brazilian municipalities;
- Development of proposals of new methodologies and approaches for the HDI in Brazil;
- Preparation of conceptual and theoretical work on Human Development;
- Statistical analysis of Human Development indicators;

- Arranging meetings and seminars related to Human Development and HDI methodology;
- Management of administrative activities needed to support HDR and related products;
- Organization of activities related to the Human Development Report, Atlas and dissemination of the HDI across the country;
- Design and implement consultation and communication strategies to the partners and the media in the promotion of products centred on Human Development;
- Planning and preparing the NHDR launch;
- Perform other duties, as required.

2. Provide advice and support to UNDP management, programmes and projects focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, through research of the economic and development issues in the country and production of relevant reports aimed at promoting equitable economic growth and human development;
- Provision of top quality analysis and substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other strategic documents;
- Provision of authoritative advice on potential areas for UNDP support and the adjustment of ongoing programmes to ensure that UNDP programmes remain in harmony with national policies and priorities;
- Selection of strategic research topics, surveys and/or case studies;
- Production of economic reports;
- Launch of Global and Regional Human Development Reports;
- Formulation and facilitation of UNDP inputs and CO support to national poverty reduction efforts in the context of PRSP and poverty monitoring, including that of the MDG;
- Direct participation in sub-regional, regional and inter-agency initiatives related to development issues within the MIC context.

3. Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building, focusing on achieving the following results:
- Facilitation of policy dialogue on economic development issues with the Government, donors, civil society, private sector; contributions to development of policies, as relevant;
- Provision of policy options, particularly from pro-poor perspectives, on macroeconomic and development issues, to governments and other development players;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned;
- Assessment of the country’s macroeconomic policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity, etc;
- Training and capacity building support for UNDP staff and Government officials on economic issues.

4. Participate in the building of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achieving the following results:
- Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, national and international research institutions, private sector, civil society areas based on UNDP strategic goals, country needs and donor priorities;
- Research and analysis of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation;
- Production of periodic updates and briefs on country development situations to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ;
- Undertaking of selected studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into the processes of government/development partners.

5. Consultation and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achieving the following results:
- Policy consultation for the Millennium Development Goals, Human Development and pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and training courses;
- Production of high quality research papers for UNDP presentation at international workshops and conferences;
- Support for monitoring progress and the formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals;
- Management of events and publications on economic issues, including annual Global Human Development Reports published in the country, consultation of the main Report findings from relevant Governmental agencies, civil society organizations and donors;
- Support the preparation, analysis and launch of other national reports developed by the CO;
- Support the preparation, analysis and launch of corporate regional and global reports.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favouritism

Functional Competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning
Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through personal example
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness
Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data
Ability to review data, identify and adjust discrepancies
Ability to produce accurate and well documented records conforming to the required standard
Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints
Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations
Strong ICT skills

Management and Leadership
Builds strong relationships with partners and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills

Reliability and punctuality in keeping deadlines and delivering high quality products.

Required Skills and Experience

Please, fill with details and complete data all the required information in the Personal History Form (check bellow how to submitt application).

Education:
Master’s Degree (PhD an asset) in Economics or related field.

According to the criteria listed below, if the applicant holds a PhD degree, three years of relevant experience can be deducted from the total years of experience required.

Experience:

7 years of relevant experience in research project or policy implementation- at the national or international level analysis.
Experience in leading or supervising team members.
Experience in writing economic and statistical reports is also required.
Knowledge in human development concepts and/or related topics in social and economic development will be considered an asset.
Some experience in designing, monitoring and evaluation of development projects will also be considered an asset.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced software packages for statistical analysis of data.

Applicants without the requisite number of years of experience need not apply.

Language:
Fluency in Portuguese is required. Proficiency in English is also required (with proven ability in speaking and writing). Working knowledge of Spanish will be considerd an additional asset.

Important:
- The candidate must have brazilian nationality or be legally authorized to work in Brazil;

- UN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, afro-descendants and persons with disabilities are specially encouraged to apply.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

Click "Apply Now". After filling the fields and clicking in "Submit Application", you MUST attach in the next page the UNDP Personal History Form - P11. The P11 can be found in: http://www.pnud.org.br/recrutamento/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

Only applications made on UNDP Personal History Form - P11 and submmited on time will be examined.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.