UNDP Jobs - 62396- Targeted Poverty Alleviation Coordinator (National

Targeted Poverty Alleviation Coordinator (National Consultant)

Location :

Beijing, CHINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Chinese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months

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

UNDP promotes sustainable human development to help build resilient nations and to empower people to build better lives. As the UN's development network, UNDP has drawn on world-wide experience for over three decades to assist China both in developing solutions to its own ongoing development challenges, and in its south-south cooperation and engagement in global development. Domestically, our work focuses on Poverty Reduction, Good Governance, Energy & Environment, and Disaster Management. In UNDP’s Country Programme Document 2016-2020, UNDP position itself as a policy advisor to support China’s reform.

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development endorsed by 193 UN member states in 2015 puts eliminating poverty as its primary goal. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calls for ending poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030. Echoing this, The 2015 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that China will intensify its poverty reduction efforts and lift all 70 million poor out of poverty by 2020. UNDP views poverty as a multifaceted reality. It is not simply a lack of adequate income; it is a mix of human deprivation in knowledge, health, dignity and rights, obstacles to participation and lack of voice. It is therefore significant to measure poverty from multi-dimensions, so that the root causes of poverty can be identified and addressed to trigger real progress in China’s “targeted poverty alleviation” strategy.

UNDP has been utilizing big data to create a better world. In 2014 UNDP published Big Data for development report. In 2015, UNDP formed partnership with Baidu and launched an e-waste light app that allows end users to schedule certified collection of their obsolete electronic equipment for safe disposal and recycling. Big Data would play an important role in UNDP’s work of promoting development and achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Big Data can serve as an innovative and useful tool to measure poverty from multi-dimensions. Applying new technology and information, It can bring in fresh angles and new indicators to assess poverty, find out the exact root causes and provide recommendations and references to China’s “targeted poverty” strategy. UNDP is committed to use big data to support China’s poverty eradication efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Team Leader of Poverty, Equity and Governance UNDP China, the National Consultant will be responsible for formulating a project on poverty alleviation using big data where possible, leading relevant research and compiling the research results to a report.

The national Consultant shall provide quality research, analysis and advisory expertise on poverty reduction and big data to UNDP China. The Consultant’s approach shall be consistent with UNDP policies, rules and procedures and that of the Chinese government. The National Consultant shall work in close collaboration with Programme and Policy Teams in UNDP China, as well as with Government partners, think tanks and other experts, ensuring successful completion of the assignment.

Responsibilities:

Timely communication with UNDP poverty team members and UNDP big data focal point for project progress and any possible programme opportunity;
Conduct technical research and summarize international best practices in poverty alleviation (and big data) areas where could be used in the development work;
Identify targeted poverty pilots and participate in pilots of targeted poverty alleviation;
Provide technical advice during the full project management cycle where is needed;
Participating in discussions through workshops, e-mail exchanges, teleconference etc;
On behalf of UNDP poverty alleviation and big data project, the consultant will seek potential collaboration opportunities with think tanks and the private sector in poverty alleviation and Big Data.

Expected Outputs:

A UNDP project document on poverty alleviation and big data;
A research report on poverty alleviation and big data;
Recommendation paper on UNDP’s poverty alleviation work in China;
Presenting UNDP’s project and report at workshops, conferences as required;
Communication-related publications, such as newsletters, news articles, success stories, Op-eds on poverty alleviation and big data;
Project proposals on new pipeline projects on poverty alleviation and big data.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrates strong analytical skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Excellent teamwork skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Can work independently.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to apply technical guideline production procedures;
Ability to analyze technical requirements in the relevant area;
Ability to apply organizational policies and procedures.

Innovation

Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in development studies, economics, computer sciences, statistics, political sciences or related field;
Experience with poverty alleviation or big data research institutions is preferable.

Experience:

Minimum five years of working experience in development work, poverty reduction, economics, statistics, or related fields;
Master of office software packages and handling of web-based management systems. Good graphics design is advantageous;
Familiarity with the Government of China, and with international development agencies.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Chinese.

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IMPORTANCE: Documents to be included when submitting your application:

Please provide Offeror’s Letter and proposal (download the format in below link) together with your CV while submitting application.
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.
In the Offeror’s Letter and proposal, you will be asked to confirm your interest and availability for the assignment, and provide technical and financial proposal.

Download Link

http://pan.baidu.com/s/1eQOD5MM