Senior Special Assistant to the Administrator

• Strategic Management
• Coordination & Communication Support
• Knowledge Management & Partnerships
• Representational Activities

• Accompanies the Administrator on official visits to UNDP country offices and United Nations System meetings and intergovernmental meetings and coordinates arrangements pre-travel briefings, coordinating the requirements for logistical support during the mission and post-travel correspondence and follow-up. Liaise with the Executive Associate to the Administrator and with relevant Bureaux on the itineraries of the visit and ensure that briefs are obtained prior to travel. 
• Leads the compilation and prioritization of substantive issues for discussion during visits, analyze issues and ensure that all policy aspects are covered prior to the Administrator’s visit.  Liaise with the country offices on issues that might be raised, obtain policy and substantive guidelines, research issues to be discussed and ensure that the Administrator has all the background data that is necessary for participation in the meetings. During the travel, supervise the arrangements made for the Administrator’s visit, reschedule meetings if necessary and review all protocol arrangements.  Finally, prepare all follow-up reports and correspondence, including reports for the Secretary-General.
• In coordination with the Chief of Staff & Director of the Executive Office, the Senior Special Assistant regularly reviews and assists in determining the priorities for the Administrator’s day-to-day agenda and activities to ensure that time is properly and effectively utilized and engagements are strategically prioritized.
• Leads the preparation & finalization of daily schedules, mission plans and the calendar of engagements for the Administrator in close collaboration with all Executive Office teams to achieve a seamless and coherent platform of service.
• Guides the efficient forward-planning of upcoming quarterly and long-term events and activities for the Administrator within the assigned thematic and geographical focus areas, including travel preparations and logistical arrangements, and liaises with regional and central bureau as appropriate.
• Facilitates the implementation of requests, directives and commitments of the Administrator, in coordination with relevant managers and teams within the Executive Office.
• Ensures that all relevant actions and instructions related to the Administrator’s agenda and activities are promptly followed up.

• Coordinates the preparation of briefings and background documentation from relevant regional and central bureaux to enable the Administrator to successfully lead corporate governance functions within various boards and committees e.g. the EG, OPG, Executive Board, and Secretary-General's Policy Committee. Manages and tracks internal commitments made to/by the various committees.
• Acts as Note Taker in important meetings attended by the Administrator, to ensure that decisions are recorded, and/or gathers and analyzes information to support decision-making and for the communication of relevant decisions to UNDP management and staff.
• Coordinates and provides quality assurance for management responses to Executive Board decisions.
• Drafts correspondence, notes-to-the-file, and coordinates/contributes to other routine documentation required by the Administrator. 
• Maintains regular contact with the Executive Office Directorate, Regional/Central Bureaux, Country Offices and external stakeholders such as Permanent Missions to the UN, UN System Partners, IGOs, NGOs, donors, and other multilateral agencies to keep the Administrator abreast of key developments.
• Works in close collaboration with other Senior Special Assistants in the Executive Office and backstops them during absences.

• Keeps abreast of major global events that are of interest and relevance to the Executive Office and advises the Administrator accordingly.
• Identifies where critical and intersecting issues within the Executive Office occur, compiles persuasive analysis and documentation to expand awareness of these issues, while pointing towards innovative business solutions.
• Prepares speech outlines, concept papers, aide memoires, memoranda and other substantive documents of a broad and complex nature.
• Drafts correspondence as requested by the function of the Executive Office.
• Monitors, analyses and reports on progress/developments of relevant international fora pertaining to matters of interest to the Administrator.
• Participates in knowledge management and practice networks.

• Lead on the provision of technical and political coordination support to the Administrator as co-Chair of the UNDG, and in managing the portfolio of relationships and interests in the context of UNDP and the DSG’s office working together on the UNDS reform.
• Ensures that the Executive Office is well informed within the working process and documentation of the EG, OPG, and other corporate meetings.
• Represent the Executive Office at senior levels, as required, in inter-agency fora as well as internal UNDP meetings to establish agreements within pre-determined guidelines.

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work

• Ability to persuade others to follow

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

• Ability to effectively communicate intensions and requirements to internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to analyze the organization’s value proposition and shape visionary/long term plans.  Use insight to identify target audiences and partners and to inform communication objectives, messages and solutions

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

• Knowledge of global institutions (such as the UN, IFIs), processes (such as G20 and various UN initiatives), good grasp of UNDP’s niche, and ability to engage and foster strong networks with those institutions

• Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission

• Ability to maintain a community on assigned thematic areas

• Advanced university degree (Masters’) in Social Policy, Public Policy, Politics, Development Economics, Development Studies or a related area.

• At least 10 years of professional work experience with the United Nations system, with sound knowledge of UN/UNDP systems, procedures and policies. 
• Strong and effective communication experience.
• Experience working in developing country settings is an asset.

• Excellent knowledge of English, as well as writing, presentation and communication skills. Fluency in other UN languages is an asset. 

• Describe any additional qualifications:

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. 

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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