Background

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.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

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, and 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.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Travel:   UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

Office/Unit/Project Description:

The Office of the UNSGSA, supports the work of H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). As UNSGSA and Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), Queen Máxima raises awareness and advocates specific policies, investments and actions with governments, regulators, private companies, international institutions and diverse additional stakeholders, all with view of how inclusive financial systems can help to reduce poverty, equalize opportunity and accelerate progress toward numerous development goals. She does so through country visits, speeches, meetings, convening of stakeholders and other outreach. This requires careful, comprehensive and rigorous analysis of local conditions, policies, available services and public priorities, as well as the needs of households, enterprises and communities.

The UNSGSA’s work is done is partnership with international stakeholders to advance financial inclusion. She collaborates closely with an advisory Reference Group of leading international organizations including the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Better Than Cash Alliance, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), The World Bank Group (including the International Finance Corporation), the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Flourish Ventures. The UNSGSA also consults widely with UN country teams, financial standard setting bodies (SSBs), the G20/Global Partnership for Inclusive Finance (GPFI), foundations, private companies, bilateral donors, and civil society organizations.

The Programme Specialist will provide administrative and operational support to the Office of the UNSGSA, including stakeholder engagement, policy support, and office support. The consultant will be paid on a daily fee base.

Institutional Arrangement: The Programme Specialist will report to the Director of the Office of the UNSGSA.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

• Support the Office’s stakeholder engagement: maintaining ongoing relationships with key financial inclusion communities, collaboration within the UN system, and Reference Group members organizations.
• Provide operational and logistical support for country visits and event participation. Ensure information flow between the Office and its partners, with attention to quality control of information provided.
• With the guidance from policy advisors, conduct research and prepare brief reports on inclusive finance and related issues.
• Coordinate inputs into briefing notes from all revelant partners for executive level meetings with intergovernmental bodies and financial inclusion stakeholders. Prepare takeaways and notes from formal meetings.
• Draft timely and high-quality background papers, briefing notes, talking points, analysis, and other substantive information for the Office Director.
• Support proofreading of briefing materials and drafting of high-level correspondences for signature by the Director. Conduct research, retrive statistical data, and perform analytical tasks as needed.

Competencies

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.

Required Skills and Experience