UNDP Jobs - 32945- Director, UNDP Seoul Policy Center for Global Deve

Director, UNDP Seoul Policy Center for Global Development Partnerships

Location :

Seoul, KOREA (REPUBLIC OF)

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2013

Application Deadline :

07-Oct-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

D-1

Duration of Initial Contract :

One (1) Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One (1) Year (renewable)

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 Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. These relationships encompass a wide range and number of key constituencies and development partners, including programme countries, existing and prospective donor countries/emerging economic powers, multilateral institutions such as the IFIs, the European Commission, civil society, the private sector, foundations, academia and think tanks, the wider UN system, various UN inter-governmental bodies, as well as global, regional and national media. The Bureau also leads and manages the organization’s relationship with its Executive Board which is responsible for UNDP’s governance.

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy consists of the following clusters: Directorate (DIR), Communications (CC); Innovation and Development Alliances (IDAC), Resource Partnerships (RPC); and Multilateral Affairs and UN Coherence (MAUCC). In addition, BERA has Representation Offices in 5 major donor capitals and in collaboration with the Regional Bureaus, manages 2 UNDP Centers in Istanbul and Seoul.

The UNDP Seoul Policy Center for Global Development Partnerships undertakes policy analysis and research on global partnerships in international development, with particular emphasis on the role of new and emerging donors in a changing international aid environment.

The key functions of the new Center are:

To serve as the immediate interfacewith the Government on all aspects relating to the evolving Republic of Korea-UNDP partnership;
To serve as a knowledge centerfor comparative experiences and approaches of new development partners in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable human development, with particular emphasis on Korea’s experience in this regard;
To facilitate and promote learning, networking, policy dialogue and consultation among new development partners and to contribute to capacity development in developing countries.

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Secretary General and Assistant Administrator of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), and in close coordination with the Bureau for Development Policy, the Director of the UNDP Policy Center on Global Development Partnerships is responsible for the oversight and day-to-day management of the Center. The Director assumes overall responsibility and accountability for, and coordination of, the operational and programmatic activities of the Center in line with the quality standards and strategic direction of the organization. The Director has delegated financial authority, including project approval authority, as well as management and internal control responsibilities.

The Director leads and supervises the UNDP team at the Center. The Director represents UNDP with other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society. Furthermore and subject to further consultations with the Government of Korea and UN agencies, the Director may be called upon to assume other functions on behalf of the UN system including the appointment as Designated Official for Security.

Impact of Results:

The results of the work of the Director greatly impacts on UNDP’s network of and contributions to global development partnerships, as well as on the standing and reputation of UNDP in the country. The Director represents UNDP in international and national fora, undertakes negotiations with external clients and interacts independently on behalf of UNDP with a broad range or constituencies at high level including ministers and senior civil servants, local and international media, civil society as well as counterparts from other international organizations. The Director ensures a coherent team, timely and effective delivery of the Center’s activities and a proactive response of UNDP to changes in the country, regional, and global context.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within the framework of the UNDP Strategic Plan and other UNDP strategies and frameworks, the Director provides strategic direction to the work of the Center:

Provide substantive and intellectual leadership to the Center in carrying out cutting-edge analytical and policy research, networking, policy dialogue, and training;
Oversee the activities of the Center from design to implementation;
Provide guidance and oversight of UNDP activities to achieve the goals of the Center;
Ensure that knowledge management is integrated into UNDP’s activities;
Liaise closely with Government officials and consult widely with key stakeholders in the design and review of the activities of the Center;
Advocate for UNDP with governments, donors, international financial institutions and the UN; and
Mobilise resources for the activities of the Center.

The Director is responsible for constituency-building:

Develop and maintain strong relationships with key policy makers and partners, including senior-level officials of the Government of the Republic of Korea, parliamentarians, and representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), think-tanks and the academic community, private corporations, and the media to promote the strategic interests of UNDP;
Prepare and assist the Administrator and other senior UNDP officials in high-level strategic consultations with Republic of Korea partners; and organize and participate in special events including symposiums and seminars to advocate corporate priorities and issues as well as enhance understanding of and support for UNDP.

The Director is responsible for the management of the Center’s activities:

Provide strategic direction to, and oversight of the activities of the Center, ensuring integrity and accountability of human resources, financial resources, administration, finance, IT, procurement, and security;
Office management: Manage UNDP’s commitments, ensure the effective application of programme tools, establishment of management scorecard targets and monitor achievement of results;
Financial management: Ensure the integrity of financial transactions, systems and reports by consistent application of rules and regulations. The Director has senior manager rights in Atlas and the authority to sign purchase orders and service agreements, and approve non purchase order payments;
Resource management: Ensure integrated, results-based planning, budgeting and utilization of resources in line with established policies and procedures; and with consistent application of UNDP’s established cost recovery policy;
Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform UNDP headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained; and Human Resources management: Ensure that systems are implemented to perform effective people management for organizational excellence.

Contribute to corporate policies and initiatives to promote global partnerships for development:

Contribute to the development of corporate strategies, policies and procedures for new global partnerships for development;
Contribute to external and internal networks that permit the effective implementation of strategies for building sustainable partnerships with new global development partners;
Effectively and consistently liaise with units in the Partnership Bureau, the Bureau for Development Policy and other headquarters units to help formulate appropriate strategies and approaches for building sustainable new partnerships;
Support the design and implementation of corporate initiatives on aid effectiveness, in close collaboration with the Bureau for Development Policy and other stakeholders; and
Provide support to the Regional Bureaux and Country Offices in the area of emerging global partnerships.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism.
Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.
Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting.
Ability to lead teams effectively and solve conflicts.
Provennetworking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
Demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability
Ability to work under pressure

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in international development, public administration, business administration, public policy or other relevant social sciences.

Experience:

Minimum 15 years experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting
Including 3-6 years of senior-level management responsibilities of similar size and complexity.
In-depth knowledge of the international aid environment, aid policies and architecture, as well as trends and directions in this regard
Knowledge of Korean development history is an asset.
Familiarity with the Korean Government system and development organizations is an asset.
Proven networking skills and knowledge of research organizations and think tanks working in similar areas of specialization as the Center.
Strong background in partnership-building.
Ability to facilitate and promote learning and policy dialogue by new development partners.
UNDP headquarters and country-level experience is an asset.
Strong presentation and negotiation skills including the ability to facilitate, moderate and direct cooperation in multi-cultural settings.
Experience and high level of comfort in a diverse range of public speaking engagements.

Language requirements:

English and a second UN language is desirable. Proficiency in Korean language is an asset.