Background

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is a UN organization with a capital mandate (unique in the UN System) focused on reducing poverty and inequality first and foremost in the least developed countries (“LDC”s).   To support the realization of UNCDF’s Business Plan and drive the rapid expansion of the organization’s capacity to assist LDCs to meet their graduation goals, respond to LDC demand for its services, and increase its geographical coverage of and average investment size in LDCs, UNCDF requires a partnership and business development strategy. 

This strategy encompasses specific, and interlinked, strategies for partnerships, branding and communications, and resource mobilization, which capitalize on mandate-specific partnership building, inter-governmental/client relations, and specific business development opportunities.

By the end of 2015 the international community is expected to endorse a new and, probably, single and universal sustainable development agenda that will replace the existing Millennium Development Goals. This will likely be accompanied by a new financing framework to be adopted at the next UN Financing for Development summit.  This new framework faces a rapidly changing development finance landscape that is characterized by an increased diversity of:

providers and sources such as DAC and non-DAC donors (e.g. India, China and Brazil), philanthropic foundations, high net-worth individuals, crowd-sourced donations, remittances and other private sector providers – such as the emerging impact investing industry; and,

types of funding including traditional ODA, loans, risk mitigation, equity and blending instruments, as well as innovative financing mechanisms and the increasing use of ODA to leverage private finance including from domestic sources.

Post Context - The Policy Specialist for IGPs is an integral part of the Directorate/Partnerships Policy and Communications Unit and contributes to ensuring that the UNCDF business development processes adapt to an evolving partnership paradigm. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Strategic Policy Advisor, the incumbent supports the UNCDF Directorate  in the overall effort to develop policy products with a view to strengthen Inter-Governmental  partnerships, position UNCDF’s approaches and knowledge in the inter-governmental and inter-agency processes, and mobilize an appropriate and sustainable funding base. 

The Policy Specialist for IGPs implements UNCDF resource mobilization and partnerships building strategy, conducts donor intelligence, contributes to strengthening UNCDF’s position within the UN family and developing strategic partnerships with multilateral and bi-lateral stakeholders helping identify potential opportunities for UNCDF collaboration and added visibility.

She/he is also entrusted with: (i) updating the corporate strategy and conceptual frameworks based on (i) the evolving development trends, (ii) corporate priorities and (iii) the indications received by UNCDF stakeholders; Codifying and sharing corporate knowledge across the organization and providing inputs to decision making; (iv) positioning UNCDF as a relevant advocate for poverty alleviation and inclusive growth, building on its specific approach to IF and LDF, as well as a strong geographic focus on LDCs.

The incumbent is expected to provide strategic advice to the Directorate in the facilitation of organizational effectiveness creating synergies amongst UNCDF Units and Practice Areas and ensuring linkages between strategic planning, policy analysis, communications and resource mobilization.

The Policy Specialist, IGP will provide guidance to the Executive/Communications Associate in the planning of the ES commitments. She/he will develop a close cooperation with other Management Support and PPCU staff, PMSU, Practice Areas, Operations and other Teams. The Policy Specialist, IGP maintains a network with colleagues from UNCDF, UN Agencies, IFIs, private sector and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Provides strategic management and policy advice to the ES while managing relationships and interactions by with Senior Management, Units and Divisions; 
• Implementation of UNCDF policy development strategies related to Inter-Governmental  Development Partners;
• Strong positioning and Advocacy of UNCDF in the UN family;
• Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Provides strategic management and policy advice to the ES while managing relationships and interactions with Senior Management, Units and Divisions. 

• Evaluate and keep track of important events, meetings and advising her of priorities and critical meetings requiring her presence and making necessary arrangements with the Executive/Communications Associate for her participation including the preparation of papers, policies, etc;
• Manage the planning and organization of the Executive Secretary’s official travel, including the timely preparation of official travel files and background documents by the relevant divisions, units and junior colleagues in the Directorate as well as prepare (when accompanying the ES) or ensure the preparation of official travel reports;
• Ensures the timely preparation of relevant background documents and the organization of briefings for meetings; ensure the relevant staff are informed and/or called to attend. Assist in the follow-up to meetings, including the preparation of relevant notes and briefing to staff, as appropriate;
• Reviews incoming and outgoing correspondence and refer it to, and hold consultations with, appropriate units/officers. Takes initiative in drafting and preparing correspondence for the Executive Secretary’s signature;
• Leads the organization of high level meetings as well as retreats, in consultation with Senior Management Team (SMT), including preparation of agenda and designation of rapporteurs, ensuring the timely submission and circulation of relevant background documents and reports. Identifies substantive expertise to support these events;
• Perform other official duties and special assignments which may be requested by the Executive Secretary while accompanying her during travel and/or during her absence.

Contributes to the development and implementation of UNCDF policy strategies and policies related to  Inter-Governmental  development partnerships building  especially in light of UN  post-2015 discussions focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Negotiation of mutually beneficial agreements, compliant with partner requirements, including reporting requirements;
• Participate in follow up consultations for UN post-2015 initiatives and provide policy advice to UNCDF Directorate whenever it should  play an active role;
• Prepare policy notes that link UNCDF's activities with the ongoing post-2015 agenda;
• Execute background research around UNCDF's actual and potential geographic presence (inLDCs, fragile states, countries in transition, etc.) and contributes to the drafting of UNCDF's  geographic strategy;
• Identifies opportunities in HQs and country based on partner-specific intelligence and the competitive landscape and where the UNCDF competency strengths overlap with partner/client needs;
• Prepares analytical reports on key development and sectorial policies currently being discussed and implemented in UNCDF and key donors willing to support these policies;
• In conjunction with PMSU and Practice Area Leaders identify emerging sources of funding; assessment of their current usage and potential for the future.

Strongly advocates and positions UNCDF in the UN family focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of opportunities for UNCDF in its relationship with other UN Agencies;
• Provision of inputs to the development and implementation of UNCDF strategy for partnering with UN Agencies around UNDAF, Post 2015 and other potential joint programming opportunities at HQs and at the global, regional and country office levels. Provision of effective support in preparation of Publications' Board meetings and help to coordinate drafting of publications of strategic corporate relevance;
• Prepares policy notes for UNCDF Executive Secretary and DES and coordinates their dissemination;
• Establishes and maintains strategic relations with multi-lateral organization and academia, as well as coordinates of strategic corporate interest.

Facilitate knowledge  building and knowledge sharing as required by the organization, focusing on the following results:

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to policy development and partnership-building activities;
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Organization of training/briefing for UNCDF staff on knowledge management and partnership building;
• Provision of effective support in codifying and sharing Knowledge within UNCDF and helping to ensure the implementation of existing knowledge management quality assurance processes to further rationalize KM tools and learning instruments. 

Impact of Results

The position has an impact on partnerships development with Inter-Governmental development stakeholders. This strategic post contributes to the enhanced visibility of UNCDF and a coherent policy approach between the Directorate and UNCDF practice areas furthering the impact of programme interventions.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:             

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Creates effective advocacy strategies;
• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNCDF’s mandate and strategic agenda;
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
• Promotes UNCDF’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 2: Developing new approaches

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 2: Developing tools and mechanisms

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 2: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNCDF Goals

Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Client Orientation

Level 2: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

• Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
• Building support and political acumen;
• Building staff competence,creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Building and promoting effective teams;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNCDF & setting standards;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Fair and transparentdecision making; calculated risk-taking;
• Ability to address gender equality and empowerment of women considerations in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, Inter-Governmental Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or Inter-Governmental level. Experience in research and policy-level analysis as well as design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for data analysis.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English. Fluency in French will be deemed of comparative advantage.

Note:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a *pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded fromhttp://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx  Completion of all the fields is required.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.