Background

I. UNDP is the UN Development Programme and works in some 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results. UNDP supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they help shape global sustainable development for the next 15 years.

The UNDP Office of Human resources (OHR)/Talent Acquisition and People Programme (TAPP) works to enable the development of new strategic staffing and talent acquisition initiatives with a view to build a Centre for Excellence in Talent Acquisition and Management that caters to UN system agency clients as well as other potential partners. TAPP supports corporate entry level talent programmes, including Junior Professional Officer,  African Young Women Leaders  Fellowship (AYWL) and   Graduate Programmes.

The AYWL Fellowship Programme is a joint programme of the African Union and the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA). The Programme seeks to: i) equip outstanding young women leaders with the leadership skills and experience required to advance the SDGs and contribute effectively to decision making in public, private and multilateral institutions; ii) create a diverse pool of talent to enhance UNDP’s organisational efficiency and contribute to more responsive and effective policies and programs; and iii) develop a network of African young women professionals that engages in promoting innovative, sustainable and inclusive development through South-South development exchange. The first cohort of AYWL Fellows completed their assignments in March/April 2021 and the second cohort of 39 Fellows will complete their assignments in August 2023.

The third cohort will include up to 50 positions with UNDP country, regional and headquarters offices. The recruitment campaign will be launched in June 2023 and it is anticipated to be a high-volume recruitment with a minimum of 5-7000 applications.

UNDP is looking for a junior consultant to support the following key priorities in the second part of 2023:

AfYWL Fellowship Programme: High-volume recruitment process for the selection of the third cohort of AYWL Fellows. The junior consultant will provide support to the operational aspects of recruitment, which includes vetting and screening of candidates, planning, organizing, and facilitating pre-recorded interviews, collecting and verification of references and interacting with candidates, receiving offices/hiring units as well as other stakeholders. The junior consultant will support the candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.

Young Professionals Programme: Recruitment process for the selection of candidates for the JPO Programme. The junior consultant will support the operationalization of the UNDP assessment and selection framework for young professionals, as well as support JPO recruitment processes, including organizing and facilitating interviews, including pre-recorded interviews, collecting and verification of references and interacting with candidates.

UN – Donors Meeting on the JPO Programme: The biennial UN Organisations and Donors Meeting on the JPO Programme is scheduled to take place in Copenhagen from 17 – 19 October 2023. It is anticipated that around 140 UN and donor representatives will participate in the meeting. The junior consultant will provide support to the logistical preparations including list of participants, responding to queries, delivery of the agenda.  

Duties and Responsibilities

II. Duties and Responsibilities

AfYWL Fellowship Programme

Support the third cohort recruitment process for the AYWL Fellowship Programme, as follows:

1. First and second phase screening of candidates

• Support first phase screening, including screening and verification of applications against minimum eligibility requirements as per the vacancy announcement.
• Support second phase screening, including collaboration with external test provider on organizing a strengths-based test, and undertaking qualitative review of applications based on eligibility requirements, diversity considerations and additional assets (250 candidates to be identified).
• Prepare regular monitoring reports with key data on applicant pool, including nationality, age, academic degrees

2. Third and fourth phase screening of candidates

• Support third phase screening, including review of technical assessment in collaboration with RBA identified assessors (150 candidates to be selected)
• Support fourth phase screening, including organisation of pre-recorded video interviews, preparation of interview questions and compilation of interview reports (50-60 candidates to be selected for a Roster)
• Solicit and verify reference checks.
• Prepare and maintain selection records.
• Act as focal point for communication with candidates in process, RBA and relevant other stakeholders.?

3. Final selection of candidates for roster

• Support finalization of pool of candidates for the AYWL Cohort 3 Roster.
• Support proposed matching of candidates against positions (2 candidates per position) for presentation to RBA.
• Facilitate the presentation/selection of candidates in collaboration with RBA and hiring offices for final identification of successful candidates.
• Communicate outcome with successful and not successful candidates.
• Initiate support for onboarding of Cohort 3.

4. Young Professionals Programme:

• Support the operationalization of the UNDP assessment and selection framework for young professionals, including vetting of templates, update of selection documents, incorporating lessons learned and support communication.
• Support JPO recruitment processes, including organizing and facilitating interviews, including pre-recorded interviews, collecting and verification of references and interacting with candidates.

5. UN-Donors Meeting on the JPO Programme:

• Support the TAPP Operations Associate in the logistical preparations for the meeting, including list of participants, responding to queries, preparation of meeting package and guidance notes for participants, delivery of sessions etc.

III. Deliverables

IV. Reporting and Working Arrangements

• The consultant will report to the HR Specialist People Programmes, Office of Human Resources (OHR/TAPP)
• The consultancy will be based in UN City, Copenhagen with regular meetings with the HR Specialist. The consultant will hold virtual meetings will key stakeholders as applicable, hereunder RBA Project Manager and hiring offices.
• The consultant will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

Competencies

• Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Attention to detail and proven ability to work independently under tight deadlines and high-volume information.
• Strong service and team-work orientation; cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a multi-national environment.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to learning.
• Commitment to UNDP vision, mission, and values and knowledge of UN work environment an advantage

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor Degree or higher in HR, Business, Political, Social Sciences or other related field

Experience:

• Experience with administration/coordination of recruitment processes, including interview coordination-, reporting and reference-taking.
• Prior experience from an international organization/UN will be considered a strong asset.
• Experience with recruitment of young professionals in an international organization.
• Experience with logistics pertaining conference support and coordination.
• Knowledge of managing of large data (excel or statistical software).

Language:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.