UNDP Jobs - 55688- Research and Innovation Specialist

Research and Innovation Specialist

Location :

Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

25-May-2015

Application Deadline :

30-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year with possible extension

Languages Required :

English Russian

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

Research and Innovation Specialist

Service contract (SB 5, step 5) - USD 2,428

Supervisor: Resident Representative

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Specialist supports UNDP Turkmenistan Country Office in the implementation of the country programme with the particular focus on emerging issues around the post-2015 development agenda and the engagement of UNDP with the Government of Turkmenistan (GoT) in this area. More specifically, the Specialist will be responsible for the UNDP ongoing policy and analysis work as part of the 2015 plans (strategy note 2015), and the upcoming work under the new priority 4 of the 2016-2020 Country Programme Document aiming to contribute to the UN-GoT Partnership Framework for Development (PFD) outcome “Quality data, aligned with international standards, is available to policy makers, legislators, and the interested public to monitor the major goals of National Programmes, the post-2015 SDGs, and the PFD, and to formulate new national strategies and programmes”.

The Specialist will work in close collaboration with all UNDP Turkmenistan programme units and project teams, including relevant HQ colleagues, counterparts in the Government, UN agencies, and development partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the UNDP policy advice and innovation work focusing on the implementation of the support to the national development planning processes (including the medium term development program), as well as coordination of the production and launch of various policy products/reports, including National Human Development Reports;
Provide to the UNDP senior management analysis and research in the areas of UNDP work in the form of concept notes, briefing papers, summary reports, and other analytical pieces;
Support in the design and implementation of the UNDP country programme priority 4 aiming to achieve the result of the Partnership Framework for Development (PFD) outcome “Quality data, aligned with international standards, is available to policy makers, legislators, and the interested public to monitor the major goals of National Programmes, the post-2015 SDGs, and the PFD, and to formulate new national strategies and programmes;
Support other programme and project units with conceptualizing and conducting research/analysis and innovative work;
Foster strategic partnerships by engaging with the GoT and other partners in order to: i) transfer knowledge and experience on evidence-based policy making, and ii) keep UNDP abreast of developments and share knowledge within the country office about key issues

The main impact of the results of the Specialist’s work will be the UNDP’s positioning with the GoT and other partners to advance the post-2015 agenda in Turkmenistan and the UNDP contribution to that effect. The Specialist will also contribute to the overall implementation of the country programme document and annual strategic plans/priorities.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda:

Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
Sensitizes partners to the UNDP’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts;
Develops positive ties with civil society to build/strengthen UNDP’s mandate;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the country office;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Creating Visibility for UNDP/Supporting UNDP’s Capacity to Advocate:

Identifies and develops activities to enhance the visibility of UNDP;
Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information identifying areas requiring higher visibility;
Reviews documents and materials intended for use within and outside the organization in order to ensure consistency and validity of messages;
Creates and cultivates networks of partners to promote UNDP’s image;
Conducts assessments of activities to improve impact and effectiveness.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:

Performed analysis of socio-economic development scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise:

Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better and more innovative outcomes;
Leverages multi-disciplinary, institutional knowledge and experience of other countries and regions to promote UNDP’s development agenda;
Participates in dialogue about conceptual innovation at the country and regional levels.

Client Orientation:

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced (Master or PhD) degree in Economics, Public or Business Administration, Social Sciences or related disciplines.

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level;
Extensive experience in producing high-quality research papers/documents is essential (evidenced by a list or samples of produced research papers);
A track record of instigating innovation is an advantage;
Desirable experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Desirable experience in working with government institutions;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages;
Experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.

Language:

Fluency in English and Russian, working knowledge of Turkmen language is an asset.