UNDP Jobs - 77031- Assistant Administrator and Director, Bureau of Ex

Assistant Administrator and Director, Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Mar-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

ASG

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

Applications for this vacancy MUST be submitted to the following email address : exo.cos@undp.org. ONLY applications received at this email address will be accepted. Include: detailed CV and academic credentials as supporting documentation and indicate this reference #: ASG- BERA

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. UNDP works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. These relationships encompass a wide range and number of key constituencies and development partners, especially those related to resource mobilization and donor relations, intergovernmental affairs with member states, programme countries, existing and prospective donor countries/emerging economies, multilateral institutions such as the IFIs, the European Commission, civil society, the private sector, foundations, academia and think tanks, the wider UN system, and various UN inter-governmental bodies. BERA also leads the Organisation’s external communications functions, establishing UNDP branding and interfacing with global, regional and national media. The Bureau coordinates and acts as a facilitator of information exchange, knowledge management, network building and dissemination of best practices throughout the UNDP in resource mobilization, intergovernmental and inter-agency affairs, and external communications. In addition to the headquarters team, the Director oversees Representation Offices in major donor capitals.

As well as leading the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, the Bureau Director is a member of UNDP’s corporate leadership, and as such, serves as a role model for corporate values, behaviors and substantive skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Bureau Director reports to the Administrator/Associate Administrator. He/She is a member of UNDP’s Executive Group and contributes to shaping and monitoring overall work of the Bureau to contribute to the achievements of organizational priorities and achieve outcomes.

The following scope and principal functions of the position include:

Participation in UNDP’s highest level corporate decision-making body, the Executive Group (EG), helping to identify and implement strategic directions for the Organization as a whole;
Participates in UNDP’s highest corporate level decision making body, the Executive Group, helping to identify and implement strategic directions for the organization as a whole;
Manages the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, including Representation Offices and works collaboratively and collegiately across UNDP to achieve outcomes and results in line with UNDP’s Strategic Plan;
Develops, advises on and regularly updates UNDP’s corporate resource mobilization strategy and coordinates UNDP’s core and non-core resource mobilization efforts across Bureaux;
Advises the Administrator on UN Inter-Agency Affairs, and manages and co-ordinates UNDP’s activities and initiatives to support UN Reform or on any strategic tasks as is necessary;
Manages and coordinates UNDP engagement in other inter-agency affairs and fora, representation at interagency meetings and UN inter-governmental fora, including the UN General Assembly (GA), the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and related bodies;
Coordinates and updates organization-wide partnership strategy development, maintains, tracks and advises on key organisational partnerships, including in relation to:?The wider UN system;
Relevant multilateral and international organizations;
OECD/DAC, including co-chairing the Global Partnership Steering Committee with OECD;
Strategic partnerships with emerging economies;
Other groups including civil society, the private sector, foundations and think tanks; and
Developing new, innovative partnerships.
Leads and supports a professional external communications function for the whole organization, develops and coordinates UNDP’s medium term and annual external communications and branding strategy, and supports specific Bureaux communications and communication products;
Represents UNDP in other international fora as appropriate;
Leads by example and encourages excellence, professionalism, competence, integrity and ethics and values enshrined in the UN Charter;
Guides, mentors and develops a team of senior managers in New York and Representation Offices;
Oversees and is responsible for Bureau’s operations in financial, human resources, procurement and general administration.

Impact of Results:

The results of the work of the Bureau Director greatly impacts on the standing and reputation of UNDP. The Bureau Director represents UNDP in international and national fora, liaises and interacts on behalf of UNDP with external clients and partners including government, civil society as well as other international organizations, and shapes UNDP’s external communications focus and engagement.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strategic Thinking:

A clear understanding of development challenges and priorities;
Demonstrated ability to identify high level strategic issues, opportunities and risks, develop organizational strategies to meet objectives, and generate and communicate organizational direction and expected outcomes to all stakeholders.

Leadership:

Proven track record of excellent management, leadership and representation skills;
Demonstrated effectiveness in establishing productive relationships and networks to achieve outcomes; strong people management skills; demonstrated competence for incorporating gender perspectives;
Demonstrated personal drive and commitment to organizational objectives;
Proven experience in leading change.

Results Focus:

Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction;
Demonstrated excellence in successful management of a complex portfolio of responsibilities including translating goals in to practical implementation strategies, and allocating resources accordingly;
Proven ability to build organizational capability and responsiveness to achieve outcome;
Strong resource mobilization and partnership building skills; mature judgement and initiative.

Achieves Results:

Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction;
Demonstrated excellence in successful management of a complex portfolio of responsibilities including translating goals into practical implementation strategies;
Proven ability to build organizational capability and responsiveness to achieve outcomes;
Mature judgment and initiative.

Communication:

Influential and confident oral and written communication skills;
Proven ability to negotiate persuasively and achieve objectives;
Proven ability to establish and maintain effective inter-personal relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Professionalism:

Ability to work collaboratively and collegiately with internal and external stakeholders to achieve corporate goals;
Capacity to anticipate and address difficult issues;
Demonstrated commitment to acting ethically and with integrity and commitment to the values enshrined in the UN Charter.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in development-related disciplines, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy or other relevant Social Sciences.

Experience:

At least 15 years of progressively responsible, substantive experience and results achievement experience at the international level, including in development-related advisory services, managing complex development situations, interagency and international cooperation, negotiation of partnerships, mobilization of resources and management of programmes in development related areas with national, regional, international entities;
The candidate should have in-depth knowledge of the region and its development context, and of national, regional and intergovernmental institutions and other international entities.

Language:

Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of a second UN language is an asset.