UNDP Jobs - 29590- Senior Consultant to support UN Global Compact Off

Senior Consultant to support UN Global Compact Office

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

07-May-2012

Application Deadline :

26-Apr-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

maximum 260 days

Languages Required :

English

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

In September 2011, the United Nations Secretary-General launched “Sustainable Energy for All” (SE4All), an initiative bringing all sectors of society to the table to mobilize action and partnership in support of three objectives to be achieved by 2030:

Ensuring universal access to modern energy services;
Doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency;
Doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

The Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development will be a very important milestone for SE4All, and a number of important deliverables as well as the first round of commitments is expected to be launched there. SE4All is however expected to remain a priority for the remainder of the UN Secretary Generals second term.

While UNDP is represented by Administrator Helen Clark in the Secretary-Generals High Level Group on SE4All, which is overseeing and ultimately responsible for the mobilization of commitments to action and partnerships from all sectors, the UN Global Compact is playing a key role in mobilizing commitments from the private sector. UNDP and the UN Global Compact thus have a shared interest in engaging the private sector in SE4All and will by jointly mobilizing UNDP Resident Coordinators and Global Compact Local Networks be able to reach hundreds of companies around the world.

UNDP and the Global Compact also share an interest in promoting corporate action in support of other UN goals and issues and advancing corporate sustainability more generally. For a number of years, UNDP have thus played a lead role in the Global Compact, not least through the facilitation of Global Compact Local Networks in more than 40 developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

In January 2011, Global Compact launched a new leadership platform, Global Compact LEAD (LEAD), with participation from approx. 60 companies from all sectors and regions. One of the main priorities of LEAD is to challenge and support leading to engage actively with Local Networks around the world, thus in many countries improving collaboration with UNDP to promote more sustainable business models that contribute to poverty eradication and women empowerment. There are also other current LEAD work streams (e.g. a Task Force on Strategic Social Investments and Philanthropy) and planned activities (engaging LEAD companies with a view to providing business input into the processes defining future UN goals and targets) that contribute to UNDPs mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will manage the activities of the Global Compact Office to mobilize private sector commitments to SE4All by supporting UNDP Resident Coordinators and Global Compact Local Networks in engaging companies in their countries of operation. This involves responsibility for the finalization and dissemination of the SE4All ‘Industry Guidance’ that is being developed for 20 different business industries with a view to guide relevant and impactful commitments from companies around the world. The consultant will also work closely with other UN partners to engage leading companies in new public private partnerships within a number of high impact opportunities that have been identified by the High Level Group. This involves working closely with the companies that are part of the High Level Group as well as the more than 60 international companies that have so far joined the activities of a special Global Compact Task Force on SE4All.

Further, the Consultant will work with the members of Global Compact LEAD to strengthen their participation in Local Networks around the world, most importantly those facilitated by UNDP in developing countries. This involves making sure that updated and relevant information about the Local Networks is available in a timely manner, organizing ‘matchmaking’ webinars and events, and providing individualized assistance to companies interested in playing a leading role in one or more developing country networks. The consultants will also be responsible for coordinating additional Global Compact LEAD work streams, including a Task Force on Strategic Social Investments and Philanthropy, collaboration with investors to understand and better communicate the ‘materiality’ of sustainable business practices and an ‘Board Education Program’ to improve the ability of corporate boards to oversee activities in support of UN goals and issues.

In addition, the consultant will:

Work closely with UN partners as well as other organizations to mobilize commitments from the private sector across a variety of UN goals, including poverty eradication, women empowerment and food security;
Develop and implement an accountability framework that will increase the impact of the commitments made to Sustainable Energy for Alland any other UN goals and issues.
Undertake outreach activities; speak at academic and corporate responsibility conferences to raise awareness about Sustainable Energy for All, corporate sustainability, Global Compact, LEAD and Local Networks;
Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs for SE4All as well as Global Compact LEAD, e.g. publications, e-newsletters and website sections.
Coordinate activities related to budget funding for all Global LEAD activities
Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Experience from leading and managing multi-disciplinary and geographically-dispersed teams of professionals in an international development context;
Deep expertise on various aspects of corporate sustainability;
Proven understanding of the work of the Global Compact, its Local Networks, its sister initiatives PRI and PRME;
Experience in developing and managing knowledge management systems and programmes;
Experience in advisory services with corporate strategy managers on business strategies and with policymakers through training, workshops and consultative meetings;
Excellent organizational, time management and strong interpersonal skills;
Effective oral and communication skills;
Attention to detail, problem-solving ability and strong follow-up skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree in International Development, Business, Social Sciences and/or other relevant field;
10-12 years relevant national/international working experience in project management, consulting, or related fields with regards to engagement of the private sector.