Background
The g7+ is an independent and autonomous forum of 20 countries affected by conflict and crisis that have united to advocate for country-led peacebuilding and statebuilding goals and provide collective inputs to the global development architecture, such as the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding and related development aid processes, such as the Global Partnership. It is currently chaired by Timor Leste and has a Secretariat in Dili. The g7+ is part of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding with INCAF as the other part composed of donor countries and international development organizations.In order to meet the challenges of conflict and fragility through more effective development aid in the g7+ countries, the members of the International Dialogue established the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States (the New Deal). The New Deal prioritizes five Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Goals, commits the Dialogue to work towards full consideration of these Goals in the global debate. The New Deal further commits members to take a series of steps to strengthen their focus in country-led planning and priority setting, based on fragility assessments, simplified planning mechanisms, and support for political dialogue, and to increase trust between national and international actors by promoting transparency, risk management, capacity development and use of country systems in the delivery of external aid.
The New Deal was presented at the fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Korea, in November 2011 by the International Dialogue. It endorses support to implementation of its recommendations in g7+ countries. It is widely recognized that strong g7+ leadership, ownership and voice will be a crucial precondition for successful implementation of the New Deal.
In order to facilitate and strengthen the work of the g7+ in New York, UNDP has decided, in agreement and with the support of the g7+ membership and INCAF membership, to recruit a liaison officer for the g7+ with the support of UNDP New Deal support facility. The Liaison Officer would connect and liaise between the g7+ secretariat, the Permanent Missions of the g7+ countries in New York and the UN system, and ensure that the g7+ is fully informed about key issues and trends in the UN.
This position is not part of UNDP’s organization, and not related to UNDP’s on-going reorganization. UNDP staff who may apply will therefore not be disadvantaged in the internal job fair. The Liaison Officer will report on a day-to-day basis to the Permanent Representative of the country chairing the g7+ and with overall oversight from the teamleader in SPGP/BPPS.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Liaison Officer will support and work under the instruction of the Permanent Representatives of the g7+ countries in New York. The Permanent Representative of the chairing country of the g7+ will provide guidance to the Liaison Officer on the collective priorities and requirements of the g7+ group in New York. The Liaison Officer will only act in an official g7+ capacity under the instructions of the Permanent Representatives of the g7+ Missions in New York. The Liaison Officer will not have a supporting team.The Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following specific functions:
- Keep the g7+ secretariat and the chair informed about issues, trends and perspectives of relevance to the implementation of the New Deal by the g7+ through active exchange of information between the g7+ in New York, the g7+ Secretariat and the wider g7+ network. Seek information from UN system actors of relevance to New Deal implementation by the g7+ and disseminate this within the g7+;
- At the request of g7+ Permanent Representatives, prepare background briefings, statement, speeches and talking points on g7+ issues. At the request of g7+ Permanent Representatives, promote issues and initiatives related to implementation of the New Deal and the g7+. Provide in-depth assessments of developments at the United Nations relevant to the g7+ and the New Deal by attending meetings as an observer, taking notes and providing analytical follow-up;
- Support the planning and preparations for g7+ events and meetings;
- Review and analyze policy papers, reports and other documents and prepare briefs for consideration by the g7+ Permanent Representatives;
- Undertake other work related to the g7+ as requested by the Permanent Representatives of the g7+ in New York. At the request of the g7+ Secretariat, bring forward proposals, ideas and issues for consideration Permanent Representatives of the g7+ in New York related to implementation of the New Deal and the g7+.
The Liaison Officer will function as an interface between the g7+ member states among themselves, with the g7+ secretariat and the UN system in New York. This will strengthen the overall capacity and ownership of the g7+ over the New Deal process and help advance implement this key global development framework and agenda.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:Professionalism:
- Demonstrated expertise in policy writing and the UN system, along with substantive knowledge of economic, social and environmental issues, and intergovernmental processes.
- Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks;
- Generates and communicates bold and visionary direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction;
- Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
- Proven record of being an effective part of diverse teams and networks;
- Ability to identify needs and propose appropriate solutions as well as to establish and maintain effective relationships.
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly;
- Gathers relevant information before making a decision;
- Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them;
- Makes tough decisions when necessary.
- Excellent ability to defend and explain difficult issues to senior officials;
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively according to diplomatic standards;
- Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
- Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed as appropriate.
- Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments;
- Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time and quality standards;
- Takes responsibility for his/her own shortcomings.
- Keeps abreast of available technology;
- Understands applicability and limitation of technology.
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrate integrity by modeling values and UN ethics standards;
- Demonstrate culture, gender, religion, nationality and age tolerance and ability to adopt;
- Skills to work in team, good organizational and communicative skills;
- Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
- Creating synergies through self-control;
- Building support and political acumen;
- Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- Advanced university degree in development economics, finance, environmental science, international relations or other relevant discipline.
- At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in international development;
- A substantial part of that experience should have been gained at the global level, with a focus on development issues in post conflict countries and fragile states;
- Solid knowledge of G77 dynamics, and more generally the multilateral political dynamics around development;
- Extensive and in-depth knowledge of, and experience from, a g7+ country;
- Specific knowledge about the g7+ and the New Deal;
- Excellent written and oral communications skills;
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to deliver under pressure, flexibility and willingness to have unusual working hours;
- Good familiarity with ICT solutions.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages – including French - would be highly desirable.