Specialist Development Programme (SDP)  - SDG Policy Specialist

Specialist Development Programme (SDP):

The Specialist Development Programme (SDP) seeks to strengthen UNDP’s capacity to support countries to make the 2030 sustainable development agenda a reality with a particular focus on crisis countries and the humanitarian development nexus. The SDP Programme includes two tracks: Specialist to the UNDP Country Director in the field or Specialists for the SDGs in headquarters or regional offices, in UNDP priority thematic areas related to the SDGs.

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan, which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  BPPS staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.  BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Response Unit (CRU) to support emergency and crisis response.  BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

The Strategic Policy and Global Positioning (SPGP) Unit within BPPS has primary objective to lead UNDP’s policy research agenda, policy incubation, provide forward-looking analysis, identify emerging development trends in multiple contexts (including crisis) and collaborate with academia and think tanks to advance UNDP’s contribution to global policy debates and the implementation of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.

In September 2015, UN Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), a universal and transformative set of commitments for ending poverty and protecting the planet. The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs set out concrete aspirations to end hunger and disease; fight inequality and discrimination; and tackle climate change. The SDGs also recognize the importance of peaceful and inclusive societies as a prerequisite and indivisible component of sustainable development. UNDP will support UN Member States and other stakeholders in the implementation of these commitments. This support is framed by the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) common approach to supporting SDG implementation, MAPS, comprising: Mainstreaming of the 2030 Agenda, Acceleration towards the SDGs, and Policy Support drawing on the expertise and programmatic experience of different parts of the UN. 

In this context, the role of the SPGP Unit is to develop policy guidance, tools and research to help countries implement the SDGs. It also plays a constructive and supportive role working with the UNDG in this respect. The Unit is tasked with elaborating in collaboration with other thematic Clusters and regional offices UNDP’s offering of support on SDG implementation, and to ensure that this offering is informed by the experiences with implementation on the ground and by the broader debates and analytical advances on SDG implementation. The Unit also leads on providing analytical contributions to the policy discussions around SDG implementation

Content and methodology of supervision:

As part of the UNDP SDP programme overall framework, the incumbent will benefit from the following supervision modalities:

• Structured guidance provided by the supervisor, especially in the beginning of the assignment
• Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results within the first two months of the assignment
• Performance management as per UNDP standard practice and approach and completion of the yearly UNDP Performance Management Document (PMD)
• Effective supervision through knowledge sharing and performance/development feedback
• Participation in Unit/Team/Office meetings to ensure integration and operational effectiveness
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
• If more than one supervisor; clear agreement of the roles and responsibilities between the relevant parties

Training and Learning

As part of the UNDP SDP Programme overall framework, the incumbent will benefit from the following training and learning opportunities:

• Virtual pre-departure briefing before taking up the assignment
• 10-day orientation course in New York
• Individual mentors to help maximize induction to UNDP and the job role.
• During the second year of assignment, possibility to participate in the 12 months UNDP Leadership Development training programme.
• During the last year of assignment, SDP participants are expected to prepare a career plan and will receive individual mentoring, guidance and support from UNDP.

The incumbent will be reporting to the Lead Advisor on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. S/he will be responsible for supporting the Unit’s work in providing solid expertise and substantive advice to ensure UNDP’s high quality contributions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Her/His work is expected to focus on:

• Working with other teams in UNDP and other partners in the UN and beyond to help advance the work on analytical tools and guidance to be offered to UN Country Teams and national stakeholders to support the achievement of the SDGs.
• Helping the preparation of integrated thematic missions to respond to demand from UN Country Teams and UNDP Country Offices to better support their host governments in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
• Capturing the experiences and lessons learned on SDG implementation from governments, civil society, academia and the private sector, and distill lessons for continuous improvement of UNDP’s and UNDG’s offering.
• Making knowledge on the 2030 Agenda available through UNDP knowledge platforms; helping to disseminate information on UNDP’s work and related findings.
• Helping prepare and follow up on meetings and events related to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
• Providing briefings for UN/DP senior management as requested.

Core Competencies

• Innovation - Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Leadership - Ability to persuade others to follow
• People Management - Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Communication - Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Delivery - Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Technical/Functional Competencies (Level 5)

• Development and Operational Effectiveness - Ability to contribute to strategic planning and reporting; formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects
• Ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives - Innovative Approach to Problem-Solving and Global Development Issues
• Ability to analyse and understand development cooperation, with emphasis on functional issues related to analysis, advocacy, and partnership building
• Knowledge Management and Learning - Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge
• Partnership and Communication - Ability to negotiate, network and partner with diverse stakeholders

Education:

• Master's Degree in international development, development planning or related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in international development, programme development, partnership building, or analytical work in development issues;
• Experience in producing and analysing think pieces and other knowledge products;
• Experience in coordinating large and complicated processes with multiple different actors; government, civil society and public sector.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Danish
• Knowledge of a second UN language may be advantageous

Nationality:

Under the UNDP SDP programme framework, the following position is open only to Danish nationals and permanent residents of Denmark as well as EU nationals fluent in Danish.

For the full requirements and information about the JPO Programme, please visit: http://www.jposc.undp.org/content/jposc/en/home/how-to-join/the-jpo-programme.html

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. For more information please click here and here.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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