UNDP Jobs - 52277- Policy Specialist

Policy Specialist - Governance

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

22-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English French Spanish

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 Corporate Strategy and Governance Unit based in the Executive Office provides support to effective organisational leadership by the Administrator and Associate Administrator, including overarching organisational steering and tracking as well as organisational governance and accountability of top management. The Unit also performs coordination and monitoring of a limited number of ‘mission critical’ issues (which will change over time). In addition, the Unit maintains an underlying capacity for continuous change management over time (readiness and expertise).The Unit is composed of three teams which collaborate closely together:

Strategic Plan Design and Implementation Team:

This team focuses on the development of the new Strategic Plans and provides corporate oversight of current Strategic Plan Implementation.

Organisational Governance and Accountability Team:

This team is responsible for the design and development of internal organisational governance arrangements, as well as strategic management of UNDP’s engagement with the Executive Board’s decision making role. It performs the joint secretariat function for the Executive Board, the Executive Group, and Organisational Performance Group.

Organisational Strategy Team:

This team provides capacity to support continuous organisational change for improved organisational effectiveness in line with strategic directions. As required, it initiates and coordinates projects to address gaps and/or innovate before handing over to the relevant business unit(s), and supports organisational level reporting on management performance to the governance bodies.

Under the guidance and primary supervision of the Executive Board Secretary, the Policy Specialist supports the effective functioning of the Executive Board. The Policy Specialist provides policy advice, prepares substantive reports, briefs for senior management groups on Executive Board matters, interprets Board legislation and monitors corporate priorities, based on knowledge of development issues of relevance to UNDP and the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board. S/he provides strategic and substantive support as the focal point for inter-agency and intergovernmental issues with relevance to Executive Board and its work. S/he contributes to the effective integrated management of external and internal governance bodies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Draft and review policy and other substantive documents for the Executive Board sessions and the Bureau of the Executive Board;
Support and provide policy advice to the EB Secretary in servicing the Board and its Bureau, and represent her as required;
In close coordination with BERA serve as the Executive Board focal point for intergovernmental issues with relevance to Board and its work;
Provide strategic and operational support to the integrated management of internal and external Governance bodies (EG, OPG, Executive Board).

Draft and review policy and other substantive documents for the Executive Board sessions:

Three times yearly during peak work periods preceding January, June and September sessions of the Board, undertake review and analysis of policy and budget documents for the Executive Board secretariat. Coordinate the preparation of the official reports of each EB session;
Based on critical analysis of substantive material, write all reports in the Executive Board secretariat and prepare conference room papers and reports at the Bureau level;
Analyse critical issues before the Executive Board and for the President of the Bureau of the Executive Board, summarizing important issues raised at each Board session and identifying potentially contentious issues under each item.

Support and provide policy advice to the EB Secretary in servicing the Board and its Bureau, and represent the Secretary as required:

Advise the Secretary of the Executive Board on actions to take in the light of input by delegations and the results of debates at Executive Board sessions, specifically with regard to Board reaction, requisite follow-up on specific issues, and future reporting requirements;
Represent the Secretary of the EB, in case of her absence, in managing Board issues, convening Bureau meetings and representing UNDP in inter-agency meetings of Board related matters;

Serve as the Executive Board secretariat focal point for intergovernmental issues with relevance to EB (in close coordination with the Bureau for External relations):

In close coordination with BERA, monitor, gather intelligence and analyse issues dealt in the UNGA Second and Fifth Committees for concurrent and/or future discussions in the EB fora;
Provide advice and prepare papers on specific issues as required.

Provide strategic support to the integrated management of Governance bodies (EG, OPG, Executive Board):

Contribute to the integrated management of the joint secretariat function for the peak internal and external governance bodies;
Assist Bureaux in improving their capacities for writing and submitting Executive Board documents, as required;
Coordinate with other Bureaus and units in preparing “What’s at Stake for UNDP” analysis on key issues on the EB agenda;
Provide substantive support to Executive Office senior managers as needed, specifically in report writing, preparing briefs and other related activities;
Contribute to the development of substantive issues for Board consideration as required.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional:

Brief and Speech writing

Ability to prepare quality briefs and/or speeches.

Representation

Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues).

UN System

Knowledge of the UN system and ability to apply to strategic or practical situations.

Negotiation

Ability to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference or gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue.

Knowledge management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master) in international affairs, international relations, public administration, or other relevant discipline.

Experience:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in organisational/UN system operations, or other related field of work;
Experience with writing policy briefs and documents and providing policy advice in a UN setting;
Familiarity with the rules of procedure and legislation of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board.

Language Requirements:

Excellent verbal and drafting skills in English required;
Knowledge of either French or Spanish essential.