UNDP Jobs - 53129- Programme Specialist

Programme Specialist

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

15-Apr-2015

Application Deadline :

08-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One (1) Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One 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

In September 2009, the UN Secretary-General designated H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands as his Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). As UNSGSA and Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), Queen Máxima raises awareness and advocates specific policies, investments and actions with governments, regulators, private companies, international institutions and diverse additional stakeholders, all with view of how inclusive financial systems can help to reduce poverty, equalize opportunity and accelerate progress toward numerous development goals. She does so through country visits, speeches, meetings, convening of stakeholders and other outreach. This requires careful, comprehensive and rigorous analysis of local conditions, policies, available services and public priorities, as well as the needs of households, enterprises and communities.

The UNSGSA’s work is done in partnership and with wide consultation among the many stakeholders working to advance financial inclusion—and those affected by it. She collaborates closely with an advisory Reference Group of leading international organizations in financial inclusion to share expertise and suggest strategic opportunities that she can advance through advocacy and partnerships. Reference Group members include: Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Better Than Cash Alliance, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and The World Bank. The UNSGSA also consults and/or cooperates with the UN Rome based agencies and the wider UN system, the UN secretariat, UN country teams, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other multilateral organizations, private financial institutions, companies, donors, civil society organizations and the media.

Members of the Reference Group and many other in-country and global partners play an important role in converting advocacy into action.

The UNSGSA also engages with the, financial standard setting bodies (SSBs) so that their work takes into account the advancement of Financial Inclusion around the world.

A small team works closely with Queen Máxima and her secretariat in The Hague to coordinate and advance her UN and G20 activities. The Office of the UNSGSA is housed at BERA/UNDP in New York and receives financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Programme Specialist will report to the Director of the Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Provide specialized technical and policy-oriented research, analysis and advise on key topics and trends in the area of financial inclusion;
Ensure strategic advocacy, policy coordination, analysis and other technical support with regards to UN entities, multilateral institutions and other partners;
Support and coordinate the Office of the UNSGSA strategic advocacy engagements and initiatives.

Provide specialized technical and policy-oriented research, analysis and advise on key topics and trends in the area of financial inclusion:

Provide information and keep informed on emerging financial products, technologies and innovations, business models and delivery mechanisms that meet the needs of low-income clients and small enterprises;
Provide information and keep informed on approaches to strengthen financial capability of clients and entrepreneurs, financial inclusion data and measurement, national strategies for financial inclusion;
Provide information and keep informed on global standards and their application at the country level, and work streams of financial standard setting bodies (SSBs), G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), OECD and other global entities.;
Track overall trends, plans and activities in the area of financial inclusion, identifying challenges and opportunities for the Office of the UNSGSA as well as ensuring the UNSGSA is well-informed of stake-holder views, priorities and activities in specific countries as well as globally;
Prepare and/or support the Office’s efforts to prepare timely submissions of high quality written analysis, technical and policy notes on issues related to Financial Inclusion;
Participate and support the Office of the UNSGSA in meetings that require technical-level expertise and political astuteness; and
Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

Ensure strategic advocacy, policy coordination, analysis and other technical support with regards to UN entities, multilateral institutions and other partners:

Analyze trends and positions on financial inclusion together with UN and inter-agency partners to ensure the topic is appropriately reflected in the UN and other relevant policy-making fora;
Recommend advocacy and policy positions to inform the overall advocacy agenda of the UNSGSA and her office;
Engage and cooperate with partners including UN entities, G20 GPFI, the UNSGSA’s Reference Group (especially UNCDF, the World Bank/IFC and UNDP) on UNSGSA priorities and ensure follow up on strategic initiatives;
Contribute to managing and expanding high level relationships and dialogue with UN entities, multilateral institutions and other partners;
Prepare timely submissions of high quality talking points, briefing notes, background materials as well as draft and review inputs for speeches as requested by the Director, Office of the UNSGSA; and
Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Support and coordinate the Office of the UNSGSA strategic advocacy engagements and initiatives:

Prepare briefing notes, speeches/statements, talking points, and background papers for the UNSGSA’s meetings with government leaders, multilateral organizations, private sector companies, and participation in high profile events, ensuring that the relevant financial inclusion issues and developments are appropriately reflected and serve to support the UNSGSSA high-level advocacy activities and outreach;
Contribute to the planning, roll out, and follow up to the UNSGSA country visits and other activities through coordination and preparatory outreach with technical and expert partners, preparation of comprehensive data driven background analysis and briefs, as well as engagement with country level counterparts to build and sustain advocacy momentum and implementation of recommendations;
Compile inputs from and review the accuracy and clarity of technical work submitted by counterparts/partners; and
Participate in mission travel including advance trips to prepare for the UNSGSA’s country visits.

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;
Outstanding oral and written communication skills, with an ability to sum up key points concisely.

Delivery

Ability to get things done;
Capacity to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines even in challenging conditions and thrive as part of a small and fast moving team;
Success working independently and as a member of a team, and with partners in other time zones and from diverse and multi-cultural contexts;
Sense of humor, grace under pressure, team player and excellent interpersonal skills; and
Equal enthusiasm and efficiency for any task and ability to travel, and as needed, work over weekends.
.

Technical/Functional:

Primary:

Experience and understanding of financial inclusion

Technical knowledge of the breadth of financial inclusion.

Representation

Ability to proactively share UNDP knowledge and activities at UN and other venues.

Partnerships/Relationships management

Ability to engage with other agencies, delegations and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Briefs and Speech writing

Ability to prepare quality substantive briefs, speeches and notes.

Risk management

Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize actions around mitigating them

Secondary:

Intergovernmental and Multilateral Affairs

Knowledge of the Intergovernmental bodies and respective mandates and operations

Knowledge management and sharing

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s) in finance, economics, business, public policy or related field.

Experience:

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in financial inclusion and/or financial systems or other related development sectors;
Experience in applied research, policy and programmatic development in developing country context or multilateral context is preferred;
Technical knowledge of the breadth of financial inclusion and the field of stakeholders, with experience in one or several areas beneficial;
Experience in leadership/high-level representational offices and with policy and advocacy issues at the national or global level, preferably related to financial issues although other relevant field may be considered. Experience in government and policy setting organizations is an asset;

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of, and drafting skill in English essential;
Working knowledge of other UN languages desirable.