UNDP Jobs - 53295- Policy Specialist

Policy Specialist

Location :

Seoul, KOREA (REPUBLIC OF)

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year renewable

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year

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

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

After four decades, UNDP phased out its development cooperation activities with the Republic of Korea. UNDP has over the years provided over US$ 100 million in resources for development to the Republic of Korea and has played a an important role in helping Korea to make a successful transition from net recipient of development cooperation to donor and member of OECD/DAC. In 2009, UNDP and the Government of the Republic of Korea agreed on a new kind of UNDP presence in the Republic of Korea leading to the establishment in 2011 of the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre on Global Development Partnerships (USPC). Today the USPC is one of UNDP’s six global policy centres located in different parts of the world and with different focus areas.

The Centre’s functions and activities include:

To serve as immediate interface with the ROK Government on all aspects relating to the evolving Republic of Korea-UNDP partnership;
To serve as knowledge center for comparative experiences and approaches of new development partners in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable human development; and
To facilitate and promote learning, networking, policy dialogue and consultation among new development partners and to contribute to capacity development in developing countries.

Under its 2014-2016 Work Programme and guided by UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2014-2017, the USPC collaborates with the Government of the Republic of Korea on important aspects of the global development agenda in support of implementation of the Global Partnership on Effective Development Cooperation and the discussion around the post-2015 development framework. Through so-called development solutions partnerships, it helps to connect development partners with Korean knowledge, experience and resources through UNDP’s global network of regional and country offices. It has a programme for applied research guided by UNDP’s global priorities and matched with Korea’s experiences. Finally, the Centre reaches out to Korean institutions of higher learning and the broader public to enhance the understanding of the role and work of UNDP and the wider UN. The Centre has a small but dedicated team of international and Korean staff that work closely together to cover a broad range of responsibilities and tasks.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Policy Center, the International Policy Specialist will manage different aspects of Centre’s work, mainly in relation to fostering development solution partnerships to match Korea’s development experience and UNDP’s expertise, knowledge and resources in various thematic areas and in relation to the Centre’s applied research programme. Development solutions partnerships are currently being explored in the areas of green energy and technology, Saemaul Undong and local governance, as well as anti-corruption The Specialist will also provide advice on relevant aspects of development policy in Korea and linkages to UNDP programmes and relevant partners and provide analysis for the formulation of thematic papers, strategies and briefings. The Specialist will work closely with Government counterparts and the broad UNDP network to identify partnership opportunities. The Specialist will monitor policy developments and advise the Director and UNDP partners on policy issues. He/She will contribute to UNDP’s policy dialogue with the Government on all aspects of partnership between UNDP and the Republic of Korea.

The International Policy Specialist will maintain a network with colleagues from UNDP network including Regional Offices and Policy Centres, UN Agencies, IFIs, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, civil society and academia. Internally, the Specialist will work closely with colleagues in the USPC to maximize the use of skills, knowledge, and insight in delivering on the work programme of the Centre.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Strategic advice and substantive support to the Director of the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre on broad range of Centre’s activities related to knowledge sharing;
Building of strategic partnerships for delivery on the USPC work programme and UNDP Strategic Plan;
Advocacy and promotion of UNDP’s mandate and mission.

Provides advice and support to UNDP management on knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

Substantive support to the USPC Director on various aspects of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Centre’s knowledge sharing work;
Select strategic research topics, surveys and/or case studies; conceptualization and execution of research based inter alia on Korean development experience; preparation of Terms of Reference and supervision of consultants providing technical inputs;
Production and launch of reports;
Development and solidification of knowledge partnerships with key stakeholders in Korea and abroad;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice within UNDP and beyond.

Participates in the building of strategic partnerships for delivery on the USPC Work Plan and UNDP Strategic Plan focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions and various Korean stakeholders based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor’s priorities;
Research and analysis of information on current and potential partners, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation;
Production of periodic updates and briefs on Korean development policy and results to be used by stakeholders, the Policy Center, and UNDP Headquarters.

Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

Policy advocacy for the Millennium Development Goals, post-2015 development agenda as well as Sustainable Human Development by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings;
Production of high quality research papers for UNDP presentation at international workshops and conferences;
Drafting of speeches and presentations;
Management of corporate events and publications, including dissemination of report findings.

Impact of Results

The key results of the work of the International Policy Specialist strengthen the contribution of USPC/UNDP to the global policy dialogue and enhance the policy impact of UNDP programmes and projects. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design of programmes, and strengthening the strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea. The post enhances the engagement of UNDP in the fostering of global partnerships for development.

Competencies

Corporate 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.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Ability to share knowledge and experience and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas and work actively towards continuing personal learning and development;
Ability to provide top quality policy advice;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of research projects;
Ability to apply theory to specific country contexts, carry out high-quality research.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result and responds positively to critical feedback;
Assesses risk and applies common sense;
Pursues creativity and innovation;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with peers and external actors;
Works as part of a team with required flexibility, mutual support and feed-back.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in Development Studies or other relevant subject is required.

Experience:

7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level is required;
Experience working in an international organization, such as the funds, programmes and agencies of the United Nations is required;
Experience from relevant work in a Korean context as well as in one or more developing countries an advantage;
In-depth knowledge of the Korean development path and society is required;
Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis is required;
Experience in development policy analysis, design and management of collaborative arrangements and international development projects and facilitation of policy dialogues on issues of international development policy an advantage;
Some experience in design, management, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is required;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages is required.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English as well as Korean is required;
English is the working language of the USPC.