Background

IMPORTANT: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the United Kingdom and is addressed exclusively to United Kingdom nationals.

Background

Ethiopia has made significant progress towards the achievement of MDGs by 2015.The country has also made gains in the reduction in incidence of poverty levels which currently estimated at  23.4%. The UNCT and government are now accelerating efforts to meet the MDGs that are off-track particularly MDG 3 on the promotion of gender equality and women Empowerment and MDG 5 on reducing material mortality. To enhance and strengthen analytical and advisory capacity to both SDGs and gender initiatives in the country, UNDP will engage the services of a Policy Analyst to closely work with UN, government counterparts and other development partners. The Policy Analyst will through regular research and policy analysis, coordination and exchange with the programme teams, ensure that gender concerns, and CSO issues are taken into account in all UNDP projects and programmes. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Economics Advisor, the Policy Analyst supports the Policy Specialist on Post-2015 Development Agenda and Gender inclusive policies and trends in Ethiopia, while drawing relevant linkages to UNDP programmes. H/Se closely works with programme teams and Government counterparts to identify alternative gender and economic policy options for poverty reduction, and post-2015 development agenda with a view to enhance the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision  of the Economics Advisor and close supervision by Policy Specialist, the Policy Analyst supports the country office  in promoting the Post-2015 Development Agenda and Gender inclusive policies and trends in Ethiopia and while drawing relevant linkages to UNDP programmes. H/She closely works with Government counterparts to identify alternative gender and economic policy options for poverty reduction, MDG/SDG achievement with a view to enhance the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes. The Policy Analyst advocates for and represents UNDP in his/her area of expertise as requested by his/her supervisor.

The Policy Analyst works in close liaison with a team of UNDP experts, international and national consultants and project staff. S/he maintains a network with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, IFIs, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society and ensures visibility of UNDP support.

Ensure harmonized approach to monitoring and tracking of SDGs and support to mainstreaming of gender across UNDP practice areas:

  • Effective support to UNCT in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products.
  • Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
  • Provision of top quality advisory services to the Government
  • Facilitation of knowledge building and management
  • Advocacy and promotion of UNDP’s mandate and mission

Duties and responsibilities:

1. Ensure harmonized approach to monitoring and tracking of the mainstreaming of gender across UNDP practice areas, focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents.
  • Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Support public and policy advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals, pro-poor and equitable economic growth, as well as sustainable human development, through the active participation in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
  • Maintain regular contact with both the corporate networks, and share pertinent information, materials, toolkits etc. with the coordinating and/or writing teams as appropriate as well as government counterparts.
  • Analysis and synthesis of proposals on the areas for support and interventions within the practice areas to ensure compatibility with corporate guidelines.
  • Focal point for gender strategic issues and gender mainstreaming.
  • Liaison with UNDP RBA to ensure implementation of the Bureau Gender policy within the CO and the country as a whole.
  • Liaison with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and DAG in the implementation of the NAP for Gender.
  • Collection and collation of data and statistics on MDG trends including gender statistics.

2. Provide effective support to the UNCT in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

  • Contribute to the design and formulation of some parts of country programmes within the area of responsibility, translating UN/UNDP’s priorities into local interventions.
  • Provide substantive input in the preparation of MDG and NHDR reports and ensuring gender and inclusive approach in the formulation of the reports.
  • Application of conceptual models in support of programme design
  • Preparation of inputs for reporting, including donor reporting.

3. Act as the focal person for strategic gender issues and gender mainstreaming, focusing on achieving the following results:

  • Assist the institutionalization of regular dialogue between UNDP/UNCT, Government and Development Partners, including community-based organizations on Gender advocacy.
  • Advises the RR/RC and CD on strategic issues related to gender and economic development.
  • Analysis and research of information on gender and post-2015 development agenda for preparation of substantive policy briefs, reports and position papers as contribution to knowledge development.

4. Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management, focusing on achieving the following results:

  • Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
  • Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia and other strategic partners.
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
  • Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on mainstreaming gender in country programmes and projects.

Competencies

Core competences:

  • Ethics & Values
  • Working in Teams
  • Communicating Information & Ideas
  • Self-management & Emotional intelligence
  • Decision making

Functional competences:

  • Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
  • Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:
 

  • Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
  • Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
  • Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
  • Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development
  • Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships:

  • Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
  • Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

  • Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
  • Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization

  • Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors
  • Develops a database of project profiles. Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

  • Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
  • Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

  • Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
  • Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
  • Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
  • Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
  • Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

  • Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences
  • Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for advocating for UNDP’s mandate

Client Orientation

  • Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
  • Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
  • Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
• Master's Degree or equivalent in a related field of expertise

Experience:
• A minimum of two years of paid working experience in a relevant field

Languages:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English.
  • Other working knowledge language requirements, if applicable

Nationality:

  • This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the United Kingdom and is addressed exclusively to United Kingdom nationals.

Requirement related to CV format: Interested candidates are requested to upload a duly completed and signed copy of the Personal History Form (P11 for UNDP) which serves as the equivalent of the CV

More details about the JPO Programme and this vacancy can be found at: http://www.undp.org/content/jposc/en/home.html