UNDP works in nearly 170 countries and territories. Anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and committed to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind, UNDP’s priorities are set in its Strategic Plan (2022-2025), aiming to help countries achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shocks. The Strategic Plan sets out a vision for the evolution of UNDP over the next four years, responding to a changing development landscape and the evolving needs of our partners.

The UN Under Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator reports to and supports the UNDP Administrator in the discharge of his/her responsibilities. Within the overall strategic direction set by the Administrator, the Associate Administrator will be expected to provide leadership within the organization and will be delegated the relevant authorities in the following areas: 

• Ensuring the effective implementation of the Strategic Plan of UNDP and monitoring key aspects of the organizational performance. In particular, the Associate Administrator will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of key aspects of the operational programme of UNDP, and ensuring the organization’s institutional and operational effectiveness;
• In close coordination with the Administrator, overseeing the use of resources of the organization, ensuring they are being used effectively towards the results identified in the strategic plan and identifying major existing or emerging resource - related challenges in the organization;
• Overseeing the implementation of approved audit and evaluation policies and recommendations;
• Overseeing the implementation and operationalization of Executive Board programmes of UNCDF, UNOSSC and UNV;
• Advising the Administrator on substantive matters and in the organisation’s strategic planning and the development of management tools and instruments to enhance the performance of UNDP in its overall mission;
• Assisting the Administrator in developing and facilitating consultations with Governments;
• Representing the organisation in the UN Sustainable Development Group and relevant interagency as well as UN development system reform related processes and committees, as delegated by the Administrator;
• Representing the organisation where required and assisting in the establishment and development of key partnerships;
• Ensuring effective security and safety management throughout UNDP.

The Associate Administrator is a member of UNDP’s Executive Group and contributes to shaping and monitoring overall corporate strategic directions.

Experience and skills:

• Demonstrated extensive knowledge and experience of sustainable development issues, working in partnership with national and international actors to create opportunities and solutions to development challenges;
• Demonstrated leadership and proven skills in managing complex organizational settings (such as an intergovernmental, international non-governmental or multinational private sector entities);
• Extensive experience in operational management at senior corporate level, knowledge of managing complex and evolving organizations and the ability to oversee the effective use of the organization’s financial and human resources; 
• Proven ability to ensure the effective implementation of and compliance with agreed policies and practices, including with principles of transparency and accountability in the work of the organization; 
• Strong diplomatic and political skills and impeccable personal and professional integrity;
• A solid understanding of the United Nations system and mechanisms.

Additionally, an individual who:

• Champions the organization’s vision and goals; ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks and create organizational strategies to achieve identified goals; demonstrated capacity in overseeing the analysis of and response to complex development issues; demonstrated capacity to steer and implement change in complex environments and position the organization to identify opportunities and minimize threats.
• Experience in building organizational capability and responsiveness and driving a high performance culture; ability to track Organizational performance and achievement of results, anticipate risks and address them; demonstrated experience in identifying opportunities to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness and drive continuous improvement; track record of nurturing and supporting talent and organizational succession planning; strong political acumen and strategic focus.   
• Capacity to communicate broad and compelling Organizational direction internally and externally; engage staff and stakeholders in understanding the links between the Organization’s strategy and goals; capacity to communicate clearly on development challenges and solutions and UNDP’s contribution to results; demonstrated capacity to negotiate persuasively to achieve outcomes; capacity to represent the organization effectively in international fora. 
• Demonstrated capacity to build and sustain productive relationships and networks with internal and external  stakeholders; strong capacity to facilitate stakeholder engagement and establish whole-of-organization approaches to address issues; ability to identify client needs and identify appropriate solutions; strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the cooperation of others in a team endeavor; ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating an open and positive environment.   
• Sound judgment and ability to make effective, well-informed and timely decisions to achieve desired outcomes and follow through to ensure strategies are implemented; fosters culture of accountability; ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; a strong commitment to gender equity; demonstrated resilience and persistence towards achieving organizational objectives.  

Language:

• Fluency in English;
• Proficiency in another United Nations official language will be an advantage.