UNDP Jobs - 89337- Senior Policy Advisor

Senior Policy Advisor

Location :

CHINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Jan-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English Chinese

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

Please provide Offeror’s Letter and proposal together with your CV in one single file while submitting application.

And please note that the system will not accept the uploading of more than one document, so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading. Below is the download link of the Offeror's Letter.

Offeror's letter download link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mg-ezakvpMy_yeA80YvRB7u_5tUpR08mEKLJvh04nKc/edit?usp=sharing

Applications submitted without Offeror's Letter will be considered fail in evaluation.

China has become a major emerging player in global governance, able to share its valuable experience with the international community, acting at the same time as a bridge-builder between institutions and nations in the sustainable development era. China takes a proactive role in shaping new initiatives which complement existing global governance mechanisms. For instance, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been growing steadily. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) started operation in January 2016 and the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) approved its first loans in 2015.

Since the launch of UNDP China Global Governance Initiative in 2012, UNDP China has become a key partner of the Government of China in international development cooperation and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP is recognized as a bridge between China and the world – both in terms of understanding of development context, as a channel for international development assistance, and as part of and beyond South-South cooperation. Moreover, the Chinese government counterparts have characterized UNDP as a chosen partner for advising on development cooperation approaches and integrated development approaches in line with the SDGs.

On the margins of the 71st UN General Assembly session in September 2016, UNDP and the government of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation on the BRI. This was followed by an Action Plan signed in May 2017 during the first Belt and Road Forum. In the meantime, the China Development Bank (CDB) was designated as an implementing partner of the Action Plan and a Joint Statement from May 2017 formalized this cooperation. This strategic partnership highlights UNDP’s firm commitment to facilitating sustainable development across BRI partner countries and putting the 2030 Agenda into action. In the list of deliverables of the 2nd BRI forum, the National Development and Reform Commission of China and UNDP co-initiated the Belt and Road Innovation and Development Platform project, authorizing the China Development Bank to execute in name of the Innovation and Development Centre under the project.

To support the work under this portfolio, the office is looking for a Senior Policy Advisor in order to support UNDP’s efforts to enhance China’s regional and global engagement, with the ultimate aim of facilitating substantial, long-term progress in international cooperation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the of the Team Leader of the BRI for Sustainable Development Team, the Senior Policy Advisor produces and manages independent policy research; provides policy support to key initiatives; supports capacity building and training activities; and contributes to the strengthening of UNDP’s partnerships in the areas related to the BRI for sustainable development and global governance in line with UNDP’s positioning.

Specifically focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Provide high-level knowledge products on BRI with a focus on innovation and development to facilitate SDG attainment

Draft evidence-based, high-level knowledge products on the sustainable development of BRI partner countries and beyond;
Conduct in-depth research on BRI-related policies that can boost SDG attainment in pragmatic ways;
Provide substantive policy support and promote initiatives for advocacy and policy dialogue;
Coordinate the work of academic experts and key stakeholders for sound contributions to knowledge networks;
Provide support to the BRI for Sustainable Development Team for the preparation and implementation of programming processes and products on global governance and the BRI.

Provide policy support to workshops/events/seminars and capacity building to facilitate the flow of policy-relevant ideas from BRI partner countries and interested parties

Provide policy support to the preparation and implementation of BRI-related workshops/events/seminars such as the 2020 Global Governance Forum;
Design workshops/events/seminars and expected outcomes on BRI-related development policies;
Draft reports/essays on BRI-related policies as the following up of the forums, workshops, events and training program;
Provide policy support to build training program by bringing together world-class researchers, policymakers and practitioners from China, BRI partner countries, UNDP Country Offices, and multilateral development banks.

Contribute to the development and strengthening of the partnerships relating BRI for sustainable development

Identify key academic institutes, think tanks, networks related to global and regional development studies to support the activities of the BRI for Sustainable Development;
Identify and connect with influential thinkers and international experts for specific activities (research, events and capacity building);
Liaise and communicate with key partners to support UNDP’s partnerships with IFIs in coordination with UNDP-BPPS and BERA.

Other relevant responsibilities as assigned by the Team Leader.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Extensive knowledge of global governance issues and regional dynamics, with a particular focus on the economy of the Asia-Pacific region;
Thorough knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, its implementation and alignment in regional and global fora;
Excellent understanding of China’s political and economic landscape, as well as its role in the global development sphere, with particular reference to global and regional initiatives where China plays a key role;
Excellent writing, communication, and advocacy skills, able to synthetize and analyse data for the preparation of high-quality project analyses;
Ability to lead, support and coordinate research undertaken by experts at various levels and external parties;
Strong liaison and coordination skills to liaise among different offices and departments;
Knowledge and understanding of UN/UNDP’s work and/or other multicultural/bilateral actors’ works and roles related to international development cooperation.

Behavioural Competencies:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Strong interpersonal skills and excellent ability to organize and coordinate diverse tasks and handle complex situations;
Result-oriented team player with the ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and partners;
Curiosity and desire to work in a complex, international environment.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standard;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

PhD or equivalent in Political or Social Sciences, International Studies, International Relations, International Development Studies or related disciplines.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in providing advisory services and hands-on experience in policy making and project designing. In particular, experience working with or researching on China’s approaches to international development cooperation, geographical as well as sectorial priorities, China’s role in global governance and in regional cooperation dynamics with focus on Asia-Pacific, specifically related to the Belt and Road Initiative;
Thorough knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and China’s role in the implementation and alignment of the Agenda at national and international level;
Demonstrated capacity for leading and undertaking research, preparing various knowledge products as well as leading and supporting research undertaken by external parties;
Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder and consultative processes between UNDP China and external partners and demonstrated experience in the process of building strategic partnerships;
Familiarity with UN system and UNDP experience would be an asset.

Language:

Fluency in both written and spoken English required;
Knowledge of Mandarin Chinese is an advantage;
Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

IT Requirements:

Familiar with computer applications and programmes, including word/data-processing (e.g., Word and Excel), database applications (e.g., Access), presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint).

Evaluation Criteria

The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Consultant who has obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method” where:
Technical evaluation - 70%; (includes 20% of Job Related Technical Expertise; 25% of Relevant working experience; 25% of Methodology & Approach to Assignment)
Financial Evaluation - 30%.

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.