UNDP Jobs - 74726- Policy & Design Specialist, Environment

Policy & Design Specialist, Environment

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.

Post Context:

In this context, several new opportunities have emerged in the country for the leveraging of resources from non-traditional partners through, in particular, global/vertical funds and South-South cooperation, mainly focusing on climate change / environment / energy. The latter areas constitute around 80% of the funding envelope out of an estimated $100 million to support the next country programme in Sri Lanka.

In this context, under the direct supervision and strategic guidance of the Deputy Country Director, the Policy & Design Specialist, Environment, is a pivotal member of the Integrated Management Team 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 the environment. 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 on environment, climate change and DRM issues. S/he models the commitment to creative collaboration and team accountability in the service of Sri Lanka’s Grand Challenges.

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:

Identify entry points on significant Environment, Energy and Climate Change 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 Environment, Energy and Climate Change including policy reform accessible to partners and new stakeholders.
Translate complex thinking and challenges into analytics and messaging that speaks to new external audiences in their language.
Critically assess Environment, Energy and Climate Change output and advise management and team of results and recommendations for improvement.

Partnership Engagement:

Engage the national Environment 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 thematic function in the country office by securing collaboration and agreement on priorities, policy and work planning commitments
Critically assess Environment, Energy and Climate Change 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 Environment work.
Conduct learning seminars and lead discussion groups for the team on relevant subjects.
Model reliability of output, organization and, innovation.

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

Environmental Economics and Finance

Knowledge of economic and financial issues, including resource revenue management, related to conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Global Environmental Governance

Knowledge conventions and MEAs (such as CBD and UNCCD) and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Green Economy / Green Commodities / Green Growth

Knowledge of Green Economy concept and green growth issues, including green commodities, supply chains and poverty-environment nexus, and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Climate Change (General)Knowledge of climate change Including climate change international regime) and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Disaster Risk Management

Knowledge of disaster risk management concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Energy Access

Knowledge of energy access concepts and/or issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree or Bachelor’s in natural resources management or environmental sciences, social policy, public policy, politics, economics, development studies or a related area

Experience:

Master’s Degree with 5 years or Bachelor’s with 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in international development with experience in policy design on environment, climate change or disaster risk management issues.
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