UNDP Jobs - 44090- Policy Specialist

Policy Specialist - Joint Funding

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Mar-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Languages Required :

English

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

Under the leadership of the UNDG Chair, and with the guidance of the UNDG, the overall objective of the United Nations Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO) is to provide the UNDG and its member agencies with valuable advice and support to ensure effective development cooperation. To achieve this, DOCO supports the UNDG at all levels to ensure coordinated and coherent support to the UN’s national partners in meeting the MDGs/IADGs and the development priorities in a post 2015 agenda.

The core objective is a relevant and impactful UN contribution to sustainable development. DOCO works closely with other UN entities and stakeholders (including DPA, DPKO, DSS, WB, OCHA and the Policy Committee in case of crisis countries), and through various interagency mechanisms to enable the following:

Analyse and advocate for improved policy, strategy and operational coordination as inputs for discussion and decision by UNDG;
Develop, manage and facilitate interagency networks of expertise to support the innovation, development and implementation of UNDG strategic priorities and work plans for reforms and shared results;
Address and support UN development system coordination and coherence issues at regional and country levels; and enable the lessons and experiences from the field to translate into improved policy;
Support the UNDG Chair, Regional UNDGs and UN Resident Coordinators in their leadership and coordination functions;
Provide advice and support to the Director in the context of opportunities to leverage UN development coordination objectives at all levels.

Under the overall guidance of the Policy Adviser, the Policy Specialist for Joint Funding is responsible for providing technical advice and support on emerging and traditional development finance instruments, and for sharing and reinforcing existing fund coordination instruments, knowledge, policies and accountability requirements related to joint funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of functions

Policy coordination and technical support;
Collaboration with DOCO colleagues and other UN system and external partners;
Knowledge management and sharing.

Policy coordination and technical support:

Provide technical support on joint funding to relevant UNDG working mechanisms, including to the UNDG oversight of joint funding mechanisms and the Delivering Results Together fund and on Delivering as One;
On behalf of UNDG working mechanisms, draft and finalize policies, technical documents, guidance and protocols; provide policy inputs and technical guidance;
Develop briefing papers and discussion points for consideration by UNDG working mechanisms;
Facilitate the development of policy proposals; and perform related activities in these areas;
Provide technical advice and recommendations to the Policy Adviser on potential areas for joint efforts with HLCM in the context of joint funding, identify areas of overlap and provide advice on impact of new initiatives at country and system-wide level;
With delegated authority of the Policy Adviser, participate, as appropriate, in policy fora and technical committees on joint funding matters within and outside the UNDG;
Act as a resource person in the assigned areas to ensure that UNDG agreed policies are adequately communicated to key partners, including donors;
Provide advice on new and innovative financing mechanisms for development;
Provide technical advice and support to the Policy Adviser in responding to requests for substantive guidance and interpretations on joint funding.

Collaboration with DOCO colleagues and other UN system and external partners:

Provide technical advice and clarifications to FST to ensure implementation of UNDG agreements and commitments in the areas of joint funding;
Collaborate with FST to enhance the capacity of UNCTs to effectively implement UNDG policies and guidelines in the area of joint funding;
Develop, maintain and share for easy access a roster of experts in key joint funding areas, including global funding mechanisms, and country funds, and other as relevant;
Based on the FST inputs provide technical advice to relevant UNDG working mechanisms on the status of implementation of UNDG policies and guidelines in the area of joint funding and facilitate policy level action;
In coordination with FST, advise the Policy Adviser on issues arising from implementation of joint funding to be monitored, tracked and/or assessed;
Analyze trends, results of assessments and other feedback, and make recommendations to the Policy Adviser on modifications to harmonized policies and guidance;
Where appropriate, provide Joint Funding support and advice directly to colleagues at the regional and country level.

Knowledge management and sharing:

In cooperation with the FST, analyze and advise on the application of lessons learned and experiences into fine-tuning guidelines, tools and support structures;
Recommend and/or introduce innovations and good practices based on emerging industry trends, mechanisms and tools;
Help facilitate the capture and sharing of knowledge and experience on joint funding between UNDG working mechanisms, UNDG member agencies and UN Country Teams through active collaboration and interaction.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Demonstrates and promotes the values of the UN in actions and decisions and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants;
Shows willingness to work without bias with all persons regardless of gender, nationality, religion or culture;
Contributes effectively to team-based activities, working collaboratively and sharing information openly; works effectively with colleagues inside the UN as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals;
Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Remains calm, composed and patient when facing conflict, manages conflict productively, focusing on mutually acceptable solutions;
Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action;
Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge; creates/contributes to mechanisms to collect and share knowledge;
Actively seeks learning opportunities; demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development
Proposes innovative ideas and new solutions to work.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrated ability to support and maintain inter-agency networks and partnerships;
Good technical knowledge of joint funding issues;
Knowledge of pass-through funding modalities, including joint programming and pooled funding mechanisms; financial and audit frameworks within agencies and exercise oversight in inter-agency context;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of focus;
Good knowledge of UN reform;
Proven ability to coordinate and support formulation and development of policies, procedures and guidance;
Demonstrated ability to contribute to the development of change processes;
Demonstrated ability to adapt best management practices to support the achievement of Unit/team goals;
Demonstrated ability to contribute to the development of approaches to capacity-building, knowledge management and organizational learning;
Ability to contribute effectively in team-based setting, especially in the area of knowledge-sharing and learning;
Ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences; speaks clearly and convincingly, demonstrating strong presentation and facilitation skills;
Good technical writing skills;
Anticipates clients’ needs; demonstrates understanding of clients’ perspectives; solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advance university degree in political, social, economic, business management or other related social science field is required.

Experience:

A combination of at least 7 years relevant experience in programming, joint funding and/or business practices, some of which should be with developing countries and within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programs.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written English is required;
Proficiency in another UN working language is desirable.