Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

In Thailand, for many years, UNDP has been investing in exploring innovation by providing seed-funding to initiatives with the belief that innovation happens through practical explorations of new ways to address old development problems. 

To accelerate innovation in public policy and services, UNDP and the Royal Thai Government through the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) see an opportunity to accelerate innovation for policies and public services in Thailand and have entered in an agreement to establish a policy innovation platform “Thailand Policy Lab” or “TPLab” to connect and build capacities of various stakeholders in Thailand including government; academic; private sector; and citizen, to accelerate the impact of innovation in public policy and services in Thailand, and exchange knowledge and experience with other countries in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. 

TP Lab Goal: People Centered - Inclusive Policy Innovation. Enhance competitiveness of the country and support the OECD accession

1.Strategic Development and Policy Innovation for Transforming the Public Policy Process in Thailand – Developing systemic policy recommendations using innovative approaches and methodologies like learning orientation, systems thinking, human centered design thinking, inclusive participation, foresight and scenario planning etc. Finalize findings into formal policy recommendations and comprehensive knowledge products. Deliver the formal policy recommendations through relevant official channels and disseminate tailored knowledge products to stakeholders and sector-specific audiences for practical implementation.- Policy Systems Transformation

2.Development of Policy Innovation Recommendations for Addressing Critical and Emerging Issues – Developing Issue-Specific Policy Recommendations using innovative processes and methodologies that emphasize learning orientation, systems thinking, human centered design thinking, inclusive participation, foresight and scenario planning etc. Developing Issue-Specific Policy Recommendations. Thematic areas are such as:

- Economic: Food Value chain (Norhern Food Valley and scaling to other regions)

-Social: Justice Transofrmation – Technology Facilitated Gender based Violence or Anti-Corruption

-Climate: Green skills, green jobs, Just Energy Transition

3.Learning community of innovators strengthened through development services, capacity building and networking – Increase access, awareness, multi-partners engagement and capacity of policy-making personnel, key stakeholders and public to updated information and knowledge on policy innovation, good practices and lessons learned in Thailand and other countries. Increase public and stakeholders’ awareness and engagement in policy innovation in various levels including public, private, academies, CSOs, NGOs, vulnerable groups, etc. through trainings, and knowledge products

a. Be a space for regional policy innovation – by gathering network of international experts and development practitioners in this region for the knowledge exchange and experience sharing.

b. Be a mechanism to position Thailand as a champion in policy innovation in the region - by enhancing capacity of Thai government agencies in terms of knowledge, skill and hands-on experiences in applying policy innovations for policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. 

c. Be a learning platform for community of global innovators - by developing knowledge products including experience of Thailand and  extend knowledge of policy innovation among various stakeholders such as experts, decision makers, government agencies, local administrative organisations, civil society organisations, academia, private sectors, social enterprises etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Analyst will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Thailand Policy Lab/ Project manager, and alongside the Thailand Policy Lab members, including the Policy Innovation Analyst, Policy Analyst and Project Associate. 

Policy Research and Analysis

  • Responsible for the research and analysis work for the systems Transformation for Policy Innovation. And support the work of thematic issues for policy innovation transformation for pillar 1, 2 and 3 of TPLab’s work;
  • Lead comprehensive research initiatives on complex policy issues spanning multiple domains, applying advanced data analysis techniques and policy innovation tools to generate evidence-based recommendations;
  • Serve as Task Manager for assigned policy pillars, coordinating cross-functional teams throughout the policy development lifecycle.

Innovation and Research 

  • Lead the research, design and implementation of policy experiments through the Thailand Policy Lab, utilizing innovative methodologies for testing solutions to complex challenges. Creating well-designed policy experiments with clear evaluation frameworks that generate actionable evidence;
  • Develop high-quality research papers, policy briefs, and technical reports that effectively translate complex information into clear, actionable recommendations for stakeholders; 
  • Systematically lead, document and analyze research results from policy experiments, creating structured reflection opportunities and meaningful, sharable lessons. 

Working out loud and knowledge management

  • Lead consultations, workshops, and policy dialogues with diverse stakeholders using participatory design principles and inclusive facilitation standards. Facilitate collaborative problem-solving sessions;
  • Share insights and learnings from Thailand Policy Lab experiments with UNDP's broader network and external audiences. Develop compelling knowledge products, findings, and knowledge exchange events;
  • Cultivate strategic relationships with relevant institutions while coordinating collaborative policy initiatives with external stakeholders.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
  • Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Digital 

  • Agile methodologies and practices: Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organising cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context. 
  • Innovation management: Being able to create the, strategies, conditions, structures and systems to enable innovation at an organisational level.
  • Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity, is able manage projects based principles of adaptation and emergence.
  • Ability to shape demand for innovation services, navigate political constraints and make the case for allocation of resources to innovation, connect the appropriate innovation approaches based on business needs and make the case for innovation to be integrated at the planning level within their context. Having in-depth theoretical and experiential knowledge of innovation processes, methods, capabilities.

Business Direction and Strategy      

  • Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and  judgement to understand how interrelated  elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element  can impact on other parts of the system
  • Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Development          

  • Human-centred Design: Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. Knowledge and understanding of human centred design principles and practices.
  • Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management           

  • Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making          

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Policy, Public Administration, Data Science, Law, Research, Economics, or related disciplines is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in public policy public sector development and qualitative and quantitative research, preparing analytical reports and policy briefs, and engaging with government counterparts.

Required Skills:

  • Proven experience in working with governments or international organizations on policy or policy innovation;
  • Demonstrated experience in innovative approached in development work;
  • Extensive experience of coordinating international and multi-sector stakeholders including private, public and the civil sectors partners;
  • Experience on Public Policy and/or Public Sector Innovation;
  • Experience in public sector systems.

Desirable Skills:

  • Experience in UNDP or the UN System;
  • Experience in working in or with similar policy innovation setting;
  • Working experience in government sector, Public policy process, Public policy systems, Policy planning, Public sector innovation strategies, Research and data analysis, public innovation units or cross-sector collaboration;
  • Demonstrated proven experience in Deep Research and data analytics;
  • Experience in Policy innovation and Innovation tools training and implementation (System thinking, Foresight, Humanistic Approaches, etc.).

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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