UNDP Jobs - 57435- Director, SDG Fund

Director, SDG Fund

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

05-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-6

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English 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 Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F) is a development cooperation mechanism created in 2014 by UNDP, on behalf of the UN system, with an initial contribution of the Government of Spain to support sustainable development activities through integrated and multidimensional joint programmes. It builds on the experience, knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices of the MDGF experience, while expanding its activities towards sustainable development and a higher attention on public-private partnerships. Gender and women’s empowerment is a cross-cutting priority in all areas of Fund’s work.

The SDG-F intends to act as a bridge in the transition from MDGs to SDGs providing concrete experiences on “how” to achieve a sustainable and inclusive world post 2015 The SDG Achievement Fund aims to accelerate progress towards attainment of the SDGs in select countries by:

Supporting policies and programmes that promise significant and measurable impact on select SDGs;
Financing the testing and/or scaling-up of successful models;
Catalyzing innovations in development practice; and
Adopting mechanisms that improve the quality of aid as foreseen in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.

The Director leads the Fund Secretariat and manages the day to day activities of the SDG-F under the guidance of the Fund’s Steering Committee. The Secretariat team covers a range of responsibilities including: servicing decision-making bodies; managing the project submission, review and approval process; developing and nurturing strategic partnerships; developing and implementing Fund-wide policy and strategy; and managing outreach and constituency-building efforts. The Fund is currently working in 20 countries with an original budget of $60M.

The Director of the SDG-F Secretariat provides overall leadership to the team and advises the Steering Committee on policy and strategy. He / She reports to the Assistant Administrator and Director of BERA, UNDP HQ and collaborates closely with the Multi Donor Trust Fund Office which is the Administrative Agent for the Fund.

Duties and Responsibilities

Managerial Leadership of the SDG-F Secretariat:

Provide leadership and managerial guidance to the Secretariat team on the SDG-F’s strategy, priorities and plans of action to support the implementation of the Fund’s strategic priorities.
Engage the team to ensure a shared understanding of the Secretariat’s goals and priorities and to promote teamwork, synergy and productivity;
Administer the Secretariat budget and ensure compliance with UNDP administrative rules and procedures;
Monitor the implementation of the Secretariat’s Annual Work Plan (AWP); and
Manage any other delegated authorities.

Design and implementation of Joint Programmes:

Closely monitor the development and management of the Fund’s application submission, review and approval process;
Coordinate and guide the work of the Fund’s Technical Committees to ensure compliance with objectives for the approval of Joint Programmes on private sector strategies; and
Design and manage a Fund-wide quality control and assurance framework.

Advocacy & Communication:

Develop an implementation strategy for the Fund which maximizes its positive impact on UN reform efforts and the goals of the Paris Declaration;
Develop a strategy for KM and advocacy with different stakeholders; and
Represent the Fund in various fora as necessary and communicating its work to the public and other stakeholders; and
Participates in and contributes to policy discussions relating to development in general and in areas of concern to UNDP and SDG-F.

Building Partnerships:

Identify and develop strategic partnerships between the Fund and other entities, initiatives and/or organizations, including multilateral partners, private sector, civil societies and governments globally; and
Act as prime adviser on optimal strategies and policies of the Fund to deepen and broaden partnerships with various entities.

Fund Steering Committee:

Advise the Fund Steering Committee on policy and strategy and monitor compliance in the activities of the Fund;
Coordinate closely with BERA to ensure consistency and complementarities with the overall corporate UNDP partnerships and donors;
Manage any delegated authorities for the Fund ensuring appropriate representation; and
Other duties as requested by the Fund Steering Committee or AA or Director of BERA.

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:

Primary:

Anti-Corruption:

Knowledge of anti-corruption concepts, principles and policies and the ability to apply in strategic and/or practical situations.

Project Management:

Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Joint development programmes and projects.

Strategic Planning & Results based Management:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.

Advocacy:

Ability to advocate and provide policy advice and to efficiently handle advocacy activities.

Relationship Management:

Ability to build strong client relationships; to focus on impact and result for the client and respond positively to feedback.

Partnerships:

Ability to work with private sector.

Secondary:

Knowledge Management:

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree in international development, international relations, public administration, public policy or other relevant social sciences is required.
Ph.D will be an asset.

Experience:

A minimum of 15 years’ experience in international relations and development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting is required;
At least 6 years of senior-level management experience with responsibilities of similar size and complexity is desirable.

Language:

Fluency in English and Spanish required.

Other:

Experience on partnerships with private sector will be an asset.
Experience on Knowledge management will be an asset.