Background

UNDP has been supporting the Nepalese people in their struggle against poverty since it opened an in-country office in 1963. Much of this support has gone to building up the capacity of government agencies, civil society and community groups to fight poverty, and to bringing these groups and Nepal's development partners together to design and implement successful projects to contribute to the achievement of Nepal’s development objectives.

In parallel to the roll-out of its new Country Programme, 2018-2022, UNDP Nepal is reorganizing internally and moving towards strategically repositioning UNDP’s contributions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and collaboration with national development partners.  Nepal is transforming itself in a federal state as per its new Constitution which has implications for how UNDP engages with national and sub-national authorities.  Meanwhile, Nepal’s GNI continues to grow, making graduation from LDC status a scenario for which UNDP needs to begin planning and adapting to different models of development cooperation.

In this context, under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director, the Policy Specialist Resilience 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 Nepal’s work on resilience, climate change and disaster risks managenent.   

With a focus on ideas that stimulate new audiences to participate, the Policy Specialist leads the creation of compelling analytics, dialogues and commitments that measurably advance Nepal on its path to achieving the SDGs.  As a member of the Strategic Engagement  team, the Policy 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 Nepal’s 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.    

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Continually seek, develop ideas/emerging trends and  provide expert advisory services, through:

  1. Scan the landscape of issues and identify entry points on significant resilience, climate change and disaster risks management policy issues and especially new interdisciplinary linkages drawing attention to UNDPs creativity and relevance.  Identifying approaches and modalities to achieve management targets and increased cost-effectiveness;
  2. Advising on high value addition/high impact projects and scaling up of successful innovations and built on cutting-edge knowledge of global and good practices and cost-effective development solutions;
  3. Deepens the evidence base of new policy proposals with convincing technical rigor giving confidence to partner commitments.  
  4. Design solutions for resilience, climate change and disaster risks management, including policy reform accessible to partners and new stakeholders. 
  5. Translate complex resilience and disaster preparedness thinking and challenges into analytics and messaging that speaks to new external audiences in their language. 

 

Provides  strategic advice and leads the development of programme activities  in the area of resilience, climate change and disaster risks management from design through implementation, through:

  1. Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and advising on the   preparation/revision of project documents, AWP and other documents in the area of work;
  2. Supports in the operationalization of the Country Programme through ongoing and new programmes and projects and in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identifies opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies;
  3. Identifies, in close collaboration with national and international partners, strategic programme areas of cooperation;
  4. Leads the designs and formulation of UNDP programme translating programme priorities into local interventions and ensuring coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders and programme partners;
  5. Contributes to the implementation of the UNDAF and other UN level initiatives especially on resilience related matters and projects, working towards formulation and implementation of joint programmes and ensures strong contributions to UNDAF and UN groups..
  6. Collaborates with colleagues in Regional and HQ to apply in country programming new global and regional initiatives, polices and knowledge products.

 

Ensure creation of strategic partnership engagement and supports resource mobilization:

  1. Engage the national disaster prepardeness policy dialogue across sectors and issues  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.
  2. Cultivate relationships with technical experts locally and internationally that champion Nepal’s challenges, demonstrating UNDP Nepal’s expertise and innovation.
  3. Compile and interpret socio-economic research and data leading to fresh, compelling intelligence and reports that attract new collaborators.
  4. Undertake selected studies expanding the perspectives of government and UN partner collaborators drawing them into new dialogues and policy directions.
  5. Engage the international policy dialogue on SDGs and South-South Cooperation identifying linkages and supporting evidence for Nepal program    
  6. 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. 
  7. Demonstrate empathy for new partner perspectives by adapting analysis and policy to reflect their priorities
  8. Developing partnerships with UN Agencies, government institutions,  bi-lateral and multi-lateral development agencies/donors, national accredited entities; national thematic funds and institutions, foundations; private sector and civil society, based on the strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and government and donor priorities;
  9. Co-leading the overall office effort in resource mobilization by researching and analyzing information on potential donors; preparing substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation as well as inputs to the office-wide resource mobilization strategy; identifying concrete entry points for the initiation of new projects; preparing concept notes and pitching these to potential donors;
  10. Representing UNDP at external meetings within her/his issue area.

 

Ensure effective Team Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders:

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

 

Knowledge building and management

  1. Support trainings for the CO staff on programme and shares knowledge on disaster risk strategies
  2. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
  3. Providing advice on strategies, policies and plans impacting the operations, delivery of practice advisory, knowledge and learning services;
  4. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

 

Competencies

Competencies and Selection Criteria

 

Description of Competency at Level Required

(For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory)

In this section list all core competencies as well as the most relevant technical/functional competencies the role will require along with the appropriate level.  A Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through the following link: https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

 

Core

 

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 6: Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional

Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

 and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information

Trends and emerging areas analytics

Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Results-Based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

 

Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Infrastructures for Disaster Risk, Resilience.      

Knowledge of mechanisms, methods to and the ability to contribute through dialogue and consultation in developing disaster risk initiatives

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Disaster risk Analysis and Risk Assessment

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

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in social, public policy, economics, development studies or related area.

Experience:

5 years of progressively responsible work experience in international development with experience in policy design on disaster risk management  issues such as human rights,, service delivery, peace-building, re-integration and gender.

Experience in 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:

Proficiency in English and Nepali.

Workforce Diversity:

UNDP is committed to achieve workforce diversity (in terms of nationality, minority groups, caste/ethnic groups, persons with disability etc.) and has a policy to have gender balance among staff at all levels.  Qualified female candidates and candidates particularly from disadvantaged and socially excluded groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with highest confidentiality.