UNDP Jobs - 45427- Team Leader & Policy Advisor, UN RC Leadership Dev

Team Leader & Policy Advisor, UN RC Leadership Development Team

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Jun-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

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

The Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO) brings together the UN development system to promote change and innovation to deliver together on sustainable development. DOCO works under the leadership of the UNDG Chair and guidance of the UNDG. The team provides field evidence to inform policy, facilitates the achievement of shared results, and promotes excellence in UN leadership and coordination. The core objective is a relevant and impactful UN contribution to development.

DOCO works in close collaboration with the development, peace building, humanitarian, human rights and administration arms of the UN and its partners, to ensure teamed-up efforts and results through the following:

Ideas, analysis and advocacy on the common normative and operational agenda, including on integrated development policy;
Develop and quality assure UNDG programme and operations methodology and instruments for shared results;
Enable and support UN development system coordination mechanisms at country and regional levels;
Support and share useful field practices on coordination and coherence, that result in improved UN system effectiveness and impact;
Support the UNDG Chair, regional UNDG Chairs, ASG Advisory Group and the UN Resident Coordinators in the discharge of their leadership and coordination responsibilities;
Manage and facilitate inter-agency networks of expertise and knowledge sharing as needed.

The Team Leader on UN RC Leadership Development is a senior member of the DOCO management team, and leads in strategic policy formulation and analytics, design and implementation of leadership strategies and programmes, facilitates leadership practice networks and innovation, and advices the Director on matters related to RC leadership and coordination support and management of the RC system.

He/she will work under the overall direction of the Deputy Director, DOCO, and manage and guide a team supporting RC Leadership Development.

In addition to supporting the UNDG in policy formulation, design and implementation of the RC system policies, talent management, and leadership development programs, the Policy Advisor will provide subject matter expertise to the UNDG in senior executive leadership development and management, and will lead the development of the analytics to support the UNDG in strengthening senior UN leadership. The Policy Advisor will also seek out innovation and best practices in these areas to the benefit of the UNDG, so as to enhance leadership development and the management of the RC pipeline.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic advice and guidance:

Provide advice to the Deputy Director and Director, DOCO, on policy issues associated with the scope of work under the UN RC Leadership Development and Coordination Team, as well as on broader development coordination and organizational matters to RC Leadership Development;
Provide strategic guidance to the UNDG, based on analyses of best practices and the latest industry practices in various complex organizational settings (in both public and private sectors), on senior leadership development including addressing professional growth and succession planning;
Provide strategic guidance and leadership with regards to the development of analytical tools and products that will serve as a substantive basis for the UNDG to determine what will be required to shape the leadership pipeline for the Resident Coordinator pool, improve leadership diversity, and identify competency gaps of Resident Coordinators;
Manage and/or convene the interagency network of experts to support implementation of UNDG strategic priorities in UN RC Leadership Development;
Provide advice and recommendations to the UNDG knowledge management strategy and plan on issues related to UN RC Leadership Development, collaborating with the DOCO Knowledge Management Advisor in establishing and gaining acceptance of appropriate mechanisms for capturing substantive knowledge and tools for easy use and implementation by DOCO, Regional UNDG Teams, RCs, and UNCTs;
Establish and maintain professional networks with key leadership development professionals in both the public and private sectors, in addition to the UN, and facilitate engagement with DOCO Director and Deputy Director as required.
Lead the UN RC Leadership Development team in establishing and maintaining open communication and relationships with key managers and senior staff from UNDG member organizations, the UN Secretariat, working group or task/project team principals and members, individuals and other entities to facilitate achievement of group objectives and to advance UNDG strategic priorities for enhanced development coordination;
As Team Leader and a member of the senior management team in DOCO, demonstrate leadership in advancing DOCO’s strategic results and ensuring an empowered and motivated team in DOCO.

Policy coordination and support to UNDG:

Lead DOCO efforts and initiatives advising the DOCO Deputy Director and Director to in support UNDG strategic planning and prioritization processes for RC Leadership Development and Coordination;
Provide strategic advisory support to the UNDG working mechanism associated with UN RC Leadership Development. In support of associated UNDG working mechanisms, develop, refine and enhance corporate policy guidance as required;
Lead the UN RC Leadership Development team in convening and facilitating ad hoc working groups or other interagency mechanisms to address policy, guidance and other issues to support implementation of UNDG work plan, with respect to RC system policy. On behalf of associated UNDG working mechanisms, provide substantive policy inputs, substantive advice and expertise; draft and finalize policies, technical documents, guidance and protocols; develop briefs, background papers and discussion points; facilitate the development of policy proposals and perform related activities. Coordinate with other DOCO Policy Advisers on composition of and support of interagency mechanisms for special projects or one-time initiatives;
Provide substantive input in the development of UNDG policy and associated information and tools for RC Leadership Development for use by DOCO colleagues focusing on country and regional support and dissemination to Regional UNDG Teams and, through them, UNCTs; ensure DOCO colleagues focusing on country and regional support are kept abreast of rapidly evolving policy matters.

Team management:

Develop the Unit work plan and contribute to the discussion and formulation of the DOCO work plan to ensure alignment of Unit activities and priorities with DOCO work plan;
Establish individual performance objectives and learning plans, plan for capacity-building and learning. Provide overall direction, clarify performance expectations and desired results, monitor and oversee progress, provide guidance and take timely action and/or decision to ensure delivery and achievement of desired objectives;
Determine the resources required for the Unit during DOCO budget preparation processes and manage the appropriate and optimum use of sub-allotments issued for the Unit according to rules, regulations and objectives;
Oversee and guide technical staff activities to provide assistance to groups, teams, task forces, or other bodies associated with the assigned policy/issue area, ensuring pre-planning, meeting logistics, facilities support, document production, and follow-up assistance as needed to working group or associated/supporting team meetings.

Country level support and leadership development:

Provide technical advice and clarifications to the management of the RC system and facilitate inter-agency discussions on;
Participate and communicate the interests of the RC system in inter-agency discussions relevant to the other functions undertaken by RCs; including DSRSG, HC, DO and RR;
Provide oversight to, and recommend and/or develop policy inputs for, RC talent management to strengthen the RC candidate pool and to facilitate the strategic matching of RC posts with the RC pool deployment. Liaise with RCs, RC pool candidates and sponsoring UN entities to provide information on RC selection and appointment that includes DSRSG/HC/RR/DO functions;
Provide substantive input to policy discussions, and ensure interagency agreement on the established and continued improvement of overall RC selection policy (including substantive content for the RC assessment centre). Coordinate closely with the DOCO Country & Regional Support Team on RC/integrated mission functions;
Develop, refine and enhance the strategy and communication materials for promoting the RC system and support outreach activities within the UN system and through external channels. Oversee “RC Online” and provide advice to UN entities and international meetings/forums on effective mechanisms and tools to promote the RC position as a career option;
Develop and manage the production of communications materials to promote the RC position as a career option, and the content development for RC Online;
Provide guidance to DOCO colleagues focusing on country and regional support and other stakeholders on the policy, code of conduct and other related rules and regulations covering the RC system and its management;
Monitor the relevance, utility, and effectiveness of information, policies, guidelines and other materials to Regional UNDG Teams and UNCTs through regular consultation with and request for feedback from DOCO Country & Regional Support Team Advisers and other stakeholders. Incorporate the outcome of evaluations in future policy development and enhancement;
Collaborate with the DOCO Knowledge Management Team to ensure DOCO knowledge management priorities and precepts are reflected in all products and services developed and/or supported;
Monitor and define RC system issues for review by UNDG, including DSRSG/RC issues in close coordination with the DOCO Country & Regional Support Team by providing backup support on regional and country-specific issues, on request;
Lead the design of leadership development programmes, in consultation with the UNDG, including overall training/capacity building for the RC system (orientation, induction, continued learning).

Impact of Results

The effective leadership of the Unit and sound advisory support to the Director of DOCO and the Deputy Director, other colleagues in DOCO, as well as the UNDG, will ensure timely, appropriate and efficient delivery of technical policy advisory and operational services in RC Leadership Development and Coordination in support of the UNDG/DOCO strategic goals and priorities and the UN/UNDG reform agenda.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates and promotes the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work, acting as a role model for all staff;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN;
Ensures an organizational environment that respects diversity, gender equality and cultural sensitivity, and fosters openness to diverse perspectives;
Treats all people fairly and without favoritism;
Promotes and enforces organizational policies that increase diversity and ensure equity in the UN;
Builds staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation; empowers and motivates team members;
Builds, motivates and promotes effective team(s); supports and promotes inter-agency cooperation and recognizes participation of staff in cross-functional and inter-agency teams;
Communicates strategic direction to team(s) and external stakeholders effectively; creates an environment of open communication, and encourages others to be diplomatic and use tact;
Makes difficult and sensitive decisions clearly and appropriately, ensuring criteria and reasons for important decisions are communicated and explained to those affected;
Creates, promotes and supports an enabling environment for knowledge-sharing and learning in the organization; captures personal and team learning that makes it accessible to others;
Acts as role model for positive handling of situations of potential conflict within and outside the organization.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain inter-agency networks and partnerships, as well as professional networks in the private sector;
Strong knowledge and understanding of RC system at field and Headquarters levels, including the inter-agency context;
Understanding of talent management and leadership development issues;
Keeps abreast of new developments in leadership development;
Good understanding of UN common system, the UN reform, and roles of UNDG and DOCO and relevant international development partners and stakeholders at global, regional and country levels;
Proven ability to coordinate and support formulation and development of policies, procedures and guidance, employing effective facilitation and consensus-building skills;
Demonstrated political savvy and intellectual capacity to provide high-level coordination of policy development.
Demonstrated ability to provide advice in the design and implementation of change strategies/processes, and to manage implementation effectively at the team/unit level;
Demonstrated ability to adapt best management policies and practices to support the achievement of Unit/team goals;
Demonstrated ability to lead a team - and serve as a role model - in contributing to the development of approaches to capacity-building, knowledge management and organizational learning;
Ability to lead effectively in the setting and achieving team priorities in a consultative process;
Leverages the different experiences and expertise of team members to achieving better outcomes;
Ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences;
Speaks clearly and convincingly, demonstrating strong presentation and facilitation skills;
Strong technical editing and writing skills;
Proven ability to advise and develop strategic and operational solutions with clients; anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post Graduate University degree in political, economic business behavioral or leadership sciences field is required.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant experience is required - that combines strategic and managerial responsibility, senior executive leadership development, policy formulation and design, or implementation of core RC System activities at the international and/or corporate level, at least five years of which should be serving in a management role;
Technical expertise in executive leadership development in the public and/or private sector is a strong asset;
Working in complex institutional systems, preferably with international dimension; and work experience in the UN system, with inter-agency exposure, is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English is required;
Proficiency in another UN working language is desirable.