UNDP Jobs - 48853- Coordinator of the Platform

Coordinator of the Platform

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

17-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

2 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 Months

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

Over the past decade, the Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs, have been critical in mobilizing resources and driving real progress on some of the world’s most pressing problems. With the MDGs’ deadline of 2015 fast approaching, discussion over what should succeed these goals — known as the “Post-2015 development agenda”— is an important collective undertaking for anyone concerned with international cooperation. As this agenda, also referred to as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is being negotiated, there has been a push to utilize international funding for development more effectively through enabling innovative models of collaboration by a wider group of partners and stakeholders.

The Post-2015 Partnership Platform for Philanthropy (the Platform) project, focuses on philanthropy’s input into this developmental landscape by helping grantmakers to better understand the opportunities for engaging in the global development goals processes. It will help to build a collective voice for philanthropy in the global discussions on the Post-2015 agenda, something welcomed by many governments. The project will also assist governments and the UN system in comprehending the added value of philanthropy’s direct engagement, including amplifying the voice and action of their grantees and partners in determining and achieving international targets and strategies.

The Platform project is set to begin in July 2014 with be piloted in Kenya, Columbia, Ghana, Indonesia and Cambodia and global outreach. UNDP is seeking an international consultant that will work on supporting development of the Platform activities at a global level based in UNDP HQ.

The HQ based team key objective is to coordinate and support pilot country implementation of the Platform activities as well as to create and disseminate knowledge from the collective experiences of the pilot countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Global Project Manager, the consultant is expected to:

Conduct mapping of development stakeholders and intergovernmental processes on Post-2015 Development Agenda. The activities include but not limited to:

Assist in conducting mapping of intergovernmental processes related to Post-2015 Development Agenda;
Assist Country Coordinators with the mapping of development stakeholders in piloted countries;
Provide support in organizing UN led events that engage foundations in policy discussions in the pilot countries;
Conduct regular research about Foundations that might be interested in joining the Platform activities.

Ongoing Operational Support for the Platform Global activities:

In a timely way prepare and collect presentations, case studies, knowledge products, and information for flagship reports as robust evidence to demonstrate results and benefits of collaborative work, to advocate, and to provide incentives for foundations from pilot countries and at the global level;
Assist in organization of the global events that link foundations with the global ongoing conversations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, such as UN General Assembly side event;
Carry out a complete update of the existing global database of relevant stakeholders from Government, civil society, foundations and the donor community;
Regularly liaise with the pilot countries’ coordinators, UN teams, Foundation Centre and Collaboration Committee, assist in coordination of the activities carried out by the teams.

Assistance in project management:

Develop and maintain a global database of philanthropic foundations engaging in the Platform;
Preparation of various communication initiatives, which raise the profile of the Platform including in the social media;
Assistance in preparing regular progress reports to the donors.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values.
Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to produce high quality outputs and in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs;
Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service;
Strong organizational skills;
Ability to work independently, flexibly and under pressure utilizing initiative;
Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities;
Flexibility in responding to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Productive and efficient worker, highly motivated;
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks;
Strong analytical, research and writing skills and demonstrated ability to think strategically;
Performance-oriented and focused on results;
Persistence and willingness to follow through;
Strong advocacy and outreach skills and ability to communicate clearly and quickly;
Ability to take instructions and to learn on the job.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Undergraduate degree in economics, social sciences, international development or international relations, with strong academic performance.

Experience:

Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in private sector or international organization, research institute or CSO;
Sound understanding of situation in international development globally and in pilot countries;
Interest and knowledge of values of the UN;
The following would be strong assets: experience in reporting, monitoring and evaluation, presentation and advisory skills, ability to work with spreadsheets.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Application:

Required Documentation:

Financial proposal (excluding travel expenses);
Personal P-11 form (including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references).

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).