Strategic Engagement Officer

As the global balance of power shifts, UNDP is taking on new roles and funding. The recent geopolitical shift is reflected in the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which universally applies to all countries in the world. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) was established in 1965 to channel official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries. It has grown into an operation with a presence in more than 170 countries. In Asia and the Pacific alone, UNDP’s experts have become trusted partners to 36 governments. We are in the process of adapting to the new development landscape, where UNDP’s core funding continued to be under pressure. The challenge for UNDP now is to adapt to the changing, ever- “flatter” world of development cooperation.

UNDP Maldives has been working closely with the government of Maldives in achieving its national goals as key partner in the development arena.  As such UNDP Maldives has recently begun to explore ways through which the immense potential and expertise of the private sector in addressing the development challenges of our communities can be mobilized from concerted and continued engagement at the grassroots levels where the private sector and companies partner with us to create sustainable solutions.  The main aim of “Make my Island” platform is to cater for the above-mentioned task in developing new projects and to connect between development industries and the people. 

Under the guidance of the Assistant Resident Representative – Democratic Governance; Strategic Engagement Officer will work closely with the private sector in formulating partnerships and designing products for resource mobilization.

1.      Promote and Advocate for “Make my Island” platform

• Proactively seek business opportunities for the CO
• Build and strengthen partnerships with the private sector
• Design products for private sector partnerships and resource mobilisation
• Identify opportunities in the country; identification of where the CO strengths overlap with partner/client needs

2.      Resource mobilisation

• Implement ’Digital Good‘ crowd funding portal
• Build strategic alliances and UNDP positioning, including creating opportunities and nurturing networks for idea generation
• Build partnerships with the private sector and the local communities to implement projects addressing local level developmental challenges
• Support the organization of high visibility events, policy dialogues, roundtables that positions UNDP as the trusted development partner in Maldives

3.      Communication of Results

• Supports in codification of knowledge and communication of results
• Facilitates discussions and strategy-setting for scaling up of UNDP projects in terms of coverage, policy impact and sustainability
• Work closely with communication unit and programme teams to increase private sector partnership visibility and results from projects.
• Develop communications and knowledge materials

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UN’s mission, vision and values
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

• Technical Expertise
• Excellent coordination and reporting skills
• Understands organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments 
• Sound knowledge of work and mandates of the UN System
• Understands design, programming, monitoring and evaluation of development interventions

Partnership

• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external partners
• Maintains a functioning network and database of partners and stakeholders 

• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas, including a good eye for strategy and appetite for innovation.  

Communication

• Proven excellent communication skills
• Ability to summarize complex information and present in accessible ways
• Excellent ability to write succinctly

Promoting Organizational Learning 

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on results and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others
• Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time
• Proven problem-solving abilities 

Team work

• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team and with other teams
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Effective participation in team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating with others

Education

• Master’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Communication, Management or related discipline with at least one year of experience.

OR

• In lieu of experience Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, management or related disciplines and related field with at least 3-4 years of related experience in communications, marketing, or business administration. 

Experience

• Experience in climate change, development and community-based development projects.
• Knowledge and experience within the private sector in the Maldives.
• Knowledge and experience in facilitating innovative partnerships and outreach to businesses.
• Proven strong research skills, combined with good communications and writing skills is preferred.
• Experience working with UN; UNDP programmes; international organisations will be added advantage.
• Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
• Experience in communication and developing communication products is essential. 

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English