Background

UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2014-2017) recognizes the importance of preparedness, response, early recovery and the management of the risk cycle as fundamental for development. The role of the Crisis Response Unit is to ensure that UNDP is well positioned to respond in the most timely and effective manner to crisis while also ensuring that the organization is prepared to deal with emergencies, including through emergency preparedness, early warning and risk management.

Under the direct supervision of the Early Warning Programme Specialist, the Technical Expert will be based in New York Headquarters.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Summary of key functions:

  • Conducts the testing of web analysis tools for early warning;
  • Designs an internal information dashboard for early warning.

Conducts the testing of web analysis tools for early warning:

  • Experiments with different features of the web analysis service contracted by UNDP;
  • Facilitates a community of practice of UNDP users of web analysis and collects their feedback;
  • Drafts a user’s manual on possible uses of web analysis for UNDP’s work, in particular on early warning;
  • Consults other relevant stakeholders active in the area of new technologies and monitors similar ongoing initiatives;
  • Produces an evaluation of the web analysis service contracted by UNDP, outlining strengths and weaknesses and suggesting recommendations for UNDP’s future engagement in this field.

Designs an internal information dashboard for early warning:

  • Conducts a survey with relevant UNDP staff on existing needs for information management related to early warning and crisis risk analysis;
  • In collaboration with UNDP Office of Information Systems and Technology, designs the technical features of an information dashboard for early warning;
  • Produces a list of relevant information flows to be included in the information dashboard;
  • Liaises with relevant staff to ensure coherence and synergies with UNDP’s corporate tools related to risk management and context assessment.

Any other duties as might be required

Competencies

Ethics & Values:

  • Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
  • Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Functional Competencies:

Organizational Awareness:

  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients;
  • Knowledge of UNDP's approach to ICT for development and e-governance;
  • Excellent knowledge of development issues and internationally-agreed development goals;
  • Good knowledge of social networks and mobile technologies;

Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring:

  • Self-development, initiative-taking;
  • Takes appropriate risk in developing new or adapting existing methods and approaches to more effectively perform tasks or to solve problems in new and unique ways.

Working in Teams:

  • Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

  • Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
  • Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner;
  • Excellent oral and written skills to develop knowledge products in relevant areas.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

  • Creating synergies through self-control tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Conflict Management/Negotiating & Resolving Disagreements:

  • Managing conflict;
  • Remains calm, composed and patient, regardless of his/her own state of mind in the face of conflict.

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

  • Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
  • Demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development and keeps abreast of new developments in his/her professional field.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision-making:

  • Informed and transparent decision making;
  • Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.
  • Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills;
  • Extensive technical knowledge relevant to the thematic area;
  • Excellent drafting and formulation skills; proven record of drafting official reports or papers/studies in the selected area.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in development studies, political science, public administration, international relations, other social sciences or in development-related fields.

Experience:

  • At least 3 years of progressively responsible professional development experience in the areas of early warning, conflict analysis, disaster risk reduction or emergency preparedness;
  • Experience working within the UN system, preferably with UNDP;
  • Proficiency in the use of information management tools.

Language:

  • Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required;
  • Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an asset.

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.