Background

Organizational Context

UNDP Practice architecture
The Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) is responsible for articulating UNDP’s development policy, using evidence gathered through country applications, regional experiences and global interactions.  BDP has a key role to play in helping country offices to accelerate human development by supporting the country offices in the design and implementation of programmes and projects that effectively contribute to the national-level policies and results.  Driven by demand, and working through the Regional Bureaux and the RSC, BDP provides the tools, analysis and capacities that country offices need to make a real difference in UNDP’s practice areas.

BDP’s support of UNDP’s strategic plan 2008-2013 is focused in 4 practices (Poverty Reduction, Governance, Environment and Energy, HIV/AIDS) and 2 thematic areas (Capacity Development and Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment).

Practice/Thematic Approach
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has a longstanding commitment to mainstreaming gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment in its work.  As the UN’s lead development agency, with extensive field presence, UNDP has facilitated the integration of gender equality in the work of Country Offices through core and non-core fund investments and has initiated and implemented numerous innovative initiatives, some in partnership with UN-Women that support both government and civil society work on gender issues.  Work on gender mainstreaming in UNDP is led and coordinated by the Gender Team, housed in the Bureau Development Policy (BDP), comprised of human resources located at HQ and Regional Centers.

UNDP’s work on gender equality and women’s empowerment is guided by UNDP Gender Equality Strategy (GES) 2008-2013 which accompanies UNDPs strategic plan. The GES provides guidance on how to mainstream gender within each of UNDP’s four focus areas.  Likewise, the Gender Team is comprised of the following four main clusters corresponding to the focus areas of UNDPs strategic plan. These are: Cluster on Democratic Governance and Crises Prevention and recovery; Cluster on Environment and Energy; t; Cluster on Poverty Growth and MDGs and a Cluster on Institutional Development. 

The Policy Advisor, Poverty, Growth and MDGs will lead the work of the Cluster on  Poverty, Growth and MDGs . In addition, he/she will work closely with the Cluster on Environment and Energy  to support UNDP in elaborating and implementing the Post2012 framework.  He/she will work with the Environment Cluster to develop policies guidance and programming that address the interconnections between inclusive and equitable growth; poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy Advisor is responsible for bringing solid substantive advice and technical expertise, advocacy and knowledge to the Poverty and Gender practice/thematic area within BDP and the work on sustainable development.  Working to ensure quality services to BDP’s clients, the Policy Advisor works towards advancing UNDP’s credibility in the practice/thematic area, ensuring coherence and quality technical advice in this area.  The incumbent will report to the Practice Director of the Gender Team, BDP in NY.

The incumbent, will be responsible for:

• Policy Advisory/Programme Support-Delivery;
• Research and Content Development;
• Policy Development;
• Cluster Management and coordination of the Practices work
• Practice Advocacy; and
• Knowledge Management.

Policy Advisory/Programme Support-Delivery

• Lead the provision of policy advisory services that respond to country office needs;
• Provide policy advice and technical guidance to and collaborate substantively with regional/country focal points to help achieve practice strategic goals and implement practice supported programmes;
• Provide direct technical advice, capacity building and backstopping to COs, UNCTs, Regional Centres and Regional Bureaux;
• Provide programme support related to the design, implementation oversight and results &  M & E;
• Contribute to developing the capacity of national counterparts in support of achieving the MDGs  and other internationally agreed development goals as it relates to the work of the practice area;
• Facilitates the engagement of governments, country offices and regional programmes with civil society at large, including indigenous peoples and minorities, through substantive policy dialoguie; and provides advice on civic engagement, participatory approaches, civil society capacity development and the creation of an enabling environment for civil society;
• Support relevant regional initiatives and promote synergies with the regional programmes of the Regional Bureaux;
  Exercise quality assurance for policy services in practice service area and foster policy innovation to enhance programme delivery;
• Ensure the centrality of gender issues in the elaboration of UN policies on sustainable development and the post 2015 agenda.

Research and Content Development

• Conduct analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to distill relevant lessons;
• Generate based upon research and analysis, innovative operational concepts aimed at widening UN/UNDP policy/programming tools;
• Develop, test and roll out tools and methodologies in focus areas to provide “how to” guidance and ensure standards;
• Research, develop and share knowledge-based tools, such as policy positions/practice notes/concept  papers and other research papers to help influence/advance policy dialogue in the practice service area and present such material at global and regional forums;
• Lead and manage activities in support of the corporate Knowledge Road Map within BDP and UNDP.

Policy Development

• Lead policy development  in the Poverty and Gender practice bring them to corporate discussions on sustainable development, inclusive growth and other key corporate priorities;
• Develop corporate policy and guidance in focus area;
• Provide substantive inputs to international fora to help shape global and regional development strategies, policies, norms and standards;
• Develops tools for the implementation of global policy standards.

Practice Management/Co-ordination

• Work closely with the Practice Manager and Practice Director to develop work plans and budget, monitor/report progress in service area in line with practice strategic goals and within the practice resource framework and agreed work programme;
• Provide practice/cluster programme management/oversight, including development/management of global programmes and manage related human resources if applicable;
• Mobilize and manage financial resources, including for Trust-Funds;
• Provide results reporting and other management obligations for corporate planning/management processes of UNDP, UN system and trust funds’ governing boards;
• Enlist management solutions to troubleshoot programme delivery difficulties and share best practices;
• Develop practice business plan in the service area, and forge/implement successfully strategic partnerships with UN and external partner institutions – Governments, private sector, academia, NGOs, CSOs);
• Represent the gender practice in interagency meetings related to the development of the post 2015 agenda.

Practice Advocacy

• Provide substantive and content leadership in UNDP corporate discussions and inter-agency coordination on issues related to poverty, growth and MDGs and  and on discussions on sustainable development;
• Represent UNDP (and UN partner organizations) to advocate practice messages in the international development arena for a discussion;
• Mobilize external partnerships behind UNDP initiatives;
• Advocate the importance of the practice service area in various fora with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms;
  Lead the design of material and promote initiatives for advocacy and policy dialogue in practice service areas and
• nurture partnerships with academia and civil society to develop the content;
• Support the Practice Director in providing intellectual leadership of practice in specific service area.

Knowledge Management

• Build and facilitate internal and external Communities of Practice in relevant thematic and cross-thematic area(s);
• Contribute to global and regional knowledge networks;
• Produce knowledge products in accordance with corporate standards;
• Manage content in the relevant practice service space of Teamworks.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’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.

Functional:

Leadership

• Strong managerial/leadership experience and decision-making skills;
• Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development experience;
• Knowledge and expertise in UNDP’s programming processes;
• Proven ability to lead a practice area and drive for results with a strong knowledge of results-based management and budgeting.

Managing Relationships

• Demonstrated well developed people management and organizational skills;
• Strong ability to manage teams; creating an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff;
• Excellent negotiating and networking skills;
  Strong resource mobilization and partnering skills.

Managing Complexity

• Ability to address global development issues;
• Substantive knowledge and understanding of development cooperation with the ability to support the practice architecture of UNDP and inter-disciplinary issues;
• Demonstrated substantive leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives;
• A sound global network of institutional and individual contacts.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Ability to strongly promote knowledge sharing and knowledge products and services;
• Demonstrated ability to understand clients' needs and concerns; respond promptly and effectively to client needs; and customize services and products as appropriate;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others in own unit and across boundaries; acknowledge others' contributions; promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across organizational boundaries;
• Open to new ideas; shares own knowledge; applies knowledge in daily work; builds partnerships for learning and knowledge sharing;
• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of UNDP;
• Familiarity with current Knowledge Management technologies, including Web and Enterprise 2.0 etc.
  .

Judgment/Decision-Making

• Mature judgment and initiative;
• Proven ability to provide strategic direction in practice area;
• Independent judgment and discretion in advising on handling major policy issues and challenges.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master's Degree in a development related area.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible, substantive knowledge in Poverty and Gender, development programming experience or related fields.

• Fluent in English. Working knowledge in another UN official language is desirable.