Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate. At least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Travel: Any future travel-related costs for technical support, on a demand basis, will be calculated as per UNDP rules and regulations and paid for separately.

Office/Unit/Project Description

South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) continue to play an important role in the global development cooperation discourse and architecture for sustainable development. The scale, scope, volume, and number of stakeholders of SSTC continue to record an exponential growth at all levels. The Second UN High-level Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40, 2019) resulted in a very ambitious Outcome Document that aims at further strengthening and revitalizing SSTC, within the framework of a Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. In addition, the Outcome Document acknowledged the importance of sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices, particularly homegrown development approaches, on SSTC in the attainment of sustainable development and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; reaffirmed the key role of UN system entities in this endeavour, including UN country teams; and called on the UN system entities to continue supporting regional and sub-regional organizations.

Within the UN system, the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, hosted by UNDP since 1974, promotes, coordinates, and supports SSTC globally and within the UN system, including through assisting developing countries in strengthening their capacities to manage, design and implement relevant policies and initiatives through the identification, sharing, and transfer of successful Southern generated-development solutions. The UNOSSC also supports the UN development system entities and its partners at global, regional and national levels to raise awareness and enhance SSTC through monitoring progress in SSC globally; supporting dialogue among Southern countries; coordinating focal point networks; and in providing advisory services to Member States.

In 2020, the first ever UN System-wide Strategy on South-South and Triangular cooperation, coordinated by the UNOSSC, was approved by the Executive Committee of the Secretary-General to provide a system-wide policy orientation to UN entities for a better coordinated and coherent approach to supporting SSTC and in increasing the impact across UN activities at the global, regional, and national levels. The outcome of the 20th session of the UN High-level Committee on South-South Co-operation in June 2021 is expected to provide further policy directives and guidance, especially in the context of COVID-19 recovery efforts and the last Decade of Action for SDGs.  

Within the above context, the Division for Arabs States, Europe and the CIS of UNOSSC, based in Istanbul, Turkey, is seeking to recruit a Specialist to provide support in the following five broader areas of work covering Arab States: Policy Coordination and Coherence; Programmatic Support; Institutionalization; Knowledge Management and Capacity Development; and Partnerships.  The Specialist will also support the follow-up to the outcome of the Inter-regional policy dialogue and stocktaking on public policy leadership and institutional arrangements for advancing South-South and triangular cooperation in the Arab States, Europe and the CIS, organized by the Division in April 2021, as well as the roll-out of the UN System-wide Strategy at the regional and country level in close collaboration and partnership with the UN entities, UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams.

Institutional Arrangement

• The Specialist will report to, and be directly supervised by, the Regional Chief, UNOSSC Division for Arab States, Europe and the CIS
• The Specialist will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment. Will be a full member of the regional team and take part in team meetings and other relevant ad hoc meetings as needed
• Given the regional scope of the work to be undertaken during this assignment, the Specialist is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability taking into consideration different time zones
• The Specialist will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, assignment specific software, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection
• The Specialist will provide a monthly report.

Scope of Work

• Support the provision of policy advice and capacity development support to governments and UN system entities on South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) in the Arab region. Keep abreast of regional and country tends and opportunities.
• Support the mainstreaming and institutionalization of SSTC within the UN development system-related processes at the regional and country level, including in the roll-out of the UN System-wide Strategy on South-South and triangular cooperation and the forthcoming Action Plan.
• Support the development and defining of strategic approaches for further engagement and develop guidance in specific thematic area(s), and related tools for the implementation of global and regional policy standards, including testing and roll out of tools and methodologies. 
• Provides substantive inputs on SSTC related policy issues emerging from relevant international and regional processes and mechanisms.
• Provide support and/or lead preparations in the convening of dialogues, conferences, workshops, trainings, and knowledge exchanges among national SSTC Focal Points, UN entities, the private sector, academia, think-tank, and NGOs.
• Support and/or lead the organization of regional and national-level stock-taking exercises on trends and opportunities for SSTC; and networking forums on SSTC and the Division’s engagement in the context of the UN Regional Forum on Sustainable Development and the High-level Forum of Directors General for Development Cooperation.
• Support the elaboration of dedicated regional and national-level initiatives and partnerships efforts in support of SSTC, including joint UN initiatives.  Specifically, identify demands, document, and share knowledge on South-South policies and programmes that have proven effective in strengthening regional integration.
• Facilitate networking of government, private sector, and civil society organizations to strengthen the use of SSC as an implementation modality for sustainable development. Identify demands, share, and match development solutions, best practices and lessons learned from the Global South, through platforms such as the South-South Galaxy and the Global South-South Development Expo.
• Provide substantive and content input to contribute to mobilizing, fostering, and strengthening strategic partnerships with UN entities and other relevant institutions.  
• Engage think tanks from the regions to advance thought leadership on SSC and TrC for sustainable development through the South-South Global Thinkers initiative.
• Contribute to knowledge management activities, whether at the global, cross-regional or region-specific level to help influence/advance policy dialogue in SSTC, including knowledge extraction, analysis, documentation, codification of results/lessons learned. 

Professionalism:  Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.