UNDP Jobs - 74725- Policy & Design Specialist

Policy & Design Specialist – Governance & Reconciliation

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-Sep-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

One (1) year with possibility of extension

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

Background:

UNDP in Sri Lanka is reorganizing internally and moving to an integrated collaborative business model. Internally, an energetic and innovative team will converge around the planning, design, implementation and quality assurance of an integrated programme in a fast-paced environment. Fostering strategic partnership and alliances with different stakeholders will require a team which consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and has a strong client orientation. Strong UN partnerships are valued for Delivering Together in a true spirit of collaboration and teamwork.

Subsequent to the change in government in 2015 and the co-sponsored resolution on reconciliation, accountability and human rights passed at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2015, governance, reconciliation and transitional justice have become priority areas for Sri Lanka within the framework of the approved Peacebuilding Priority Plan (PPP) for the country.

Sri Lanka’s new coalition government is also prioritizing urbanization as a strategy towards rapid development and growth and has placed innovation at the core of its strategy.

Post Context:

In this context and under the direct supervision and strategic guidance of the Deputy Country Director, the Policy & Design Specialist, Governance, with technical rigor and persuasive expertise, deepens the perspectives of colleagues and partners, attracts new collaborators and creates excitement about opportunities for investment in UNDP Sri Lanka’s work on governance.

With a focus on ideas that stimulate new audiences to participate, the Policy & Design Specialist leads the creation of compelling analytics, dialogues and commitments that measurably advance Sri Lanka on its path to achieving the SDGs. As a member of the leadership team, the Policy & Design Specialist shares in the management, leadership and outcomes of the country office. S/he models the commitment to creative collaboration and team accountability in the service of Sri Lanka’s Grand Challenges.

The incumbent promotes client-oriented approach while having strong networking savvy and political acumen performing her/his functions in collaboration with Programme team leaders and CO and Regional senior management to continuously reflect on how UNDP engages with its partners and stakeholders in order to truly fulfill UNDP’s strategic position and value proposition.

ONLY STAFF AFFECTED BY THE UNDP SRI LANKA CHANGE MANAGEMNT PROCESS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ideas & Expertise:

Scan the landscape of issues and identify entry points on significant governance policy issues and especially new interdisciplinary linkages drawing attention to UNDPs creativity and relevance.
Compile and interpret socio-economic research and data leading to fresh, compelling intelligence and reports that attract new collaborators.
Undertake selected studies expanding the perspectives of government and UN partner collaborators drawing them into new dialogues and policy directions.
Deepens the evidence base of new policy proposals with convincing technical rigor giving confidence to partner commitments
Design solutions for governance including policy reform accessible to partners and new stakeholders.
Translate complex governance thinking and challenges into analytics and messaging that speaks to new external audiences in their language.
Critically assess governance output and advise management and team of results and recommendations for improvement.

Partnership engagement:

Engage the national governance policy dialogue across sectors and issues and with all actors including government, NGOs and citizenry, UN partners and the private sector ensuring all voices are heard and the Share knowledge across teamwork of UNDP is known to all.
Cultivate relationships with technical experts locally and internationally that champion Sri Lanka’s Grand Challenges demonstrating UNDP Sri Lanka’s expertise and innovation.
Engage the international policy dialogue on SDGs and South-South Cooperation identifying linkages and supporting evidence for Sri Lanka program
Develop and convene networks of collaborators both conventional and novel who are willing to participate in the dialogue, are attracted to the issues and can advance the work and profile of UNDP.
Demonstrate empathy for new partner perspectives by adapting analysis and policy to reflect their priorities.

Team Collaboration

Anchor the governance function in the country office by securing collaboration and agreement on priorities, policy and work planning commitments
Critically assess governance content, output and advise management and team of results and recommendations for improvement.
Learn from colleagues and adapt to new thinking and approaches.
Continually seek opportunities and linkages within broader country office efforts for governance work.
Conduct learning seminars and lead discussion groups for the team on relevant subjects.
Model reliability of output, organization and, innovation.

Knowledge building and management

Support trainings for the CO staff on programme and shares knowledge on governance strategies
Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
Conduct needs assessment on budget execution initiatives in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Technical/Functional

Infrastructures for Peace

Knowledge of mechanisms, methods to and the ability to contribute through dialogue and consultation in preventing conflict.

Political Economy Analysis

Knowledge of the interaction of political and economic processes in a society; including distribution of power and wealth between groups and individuals, and the processes that create, sustain and transform these relationships over time, and how these dynamics both affect, and are affected by, UNDP's development support

Post-Crisis Governance

Knowledge of Post-Crisis Governance concepts and principles and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Peacebuilding and Reconciliation

Ability to support peace processes to facilitate recovery and development

Conflict Analysis and Risk Assessment

Knowledge of conflict analysis and risk assessment concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Rule of Law, Justice and Security

Knowledge of Rule of law, Justice and Security concepts and principles and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree or Bachelor’s in social policy, public policy, politics, economics, development studies or a related area.

Experience:

Master Degree with 5 years or Bachelor’s with 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in international development with experience in policy design on governance issues such as human rights, local governance, service delivery, peace-building, re-integration, peacebuilding and gender.
Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience working in the UN System is an asset.

Language Requirements:

English and language of the Duty Station. Other official language of the UN will be desirable