Deputy Director, Representation Office in Washington D.C.

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.

• Deepen UNDP’s support base with Congressional and the Executive Branch officials (State Department International Organizations Bureau, Office of Foreign Assistance, US Agency for International Development, OMB, US/UN) which influence the U.S. contribution to the core budget, by organizing bilateral meetings, as well as preparing briefing materials, position papers and communications, highlighting UNDP’s value to the U.S., addressing criticisms targeted at UNDP; and updating key constituencies on UNDP related issues of interest to them (e.g, overall reform, greater transparency and accountability). 

• Assist the Director in analyzing the environment (political, economic and social) in the U.S. and provide input to the development of a strategy on how best to generate support for UNDP from the U.S. Government and US public; and
• Provide conceptual and political underpinning to UNDP’s Washington’s work by preparing regular analyses of the US Government (Executive Branch and Congress) development and foreign policy priorities (thematic, regional and programmatic) as distilled from the President’s National Security Strategy, the President’s global development strategy (PSD), the QDDR, the US Post-2015 strategy, major policy statements, Congressional foreign assistance reform proposals; and identify convergence with UNDP’s own strategic priorities.

• Serve as a close link to UNDP headquarters and the field to effectively draw on the support of the Regional/Central Bureaux and Country Offices to help explain the value of UNDP‘s work to U.S. audiences with respect to themes and countries that are of importance to the U.S., and address any questions or concerns about UNDP that may arise;
• Shape and support the building of constructive partnerships between UNDP and key U.S. Government entities (e.g., the Congress, the State Department, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the National Security Council, US/UN, USAID), who are interested in themes, countries or policies supported by UNDP; as well as with members of the Washington-based NGO community, the private sector, professional groups, and associations and think tanks headquartered in Washington;
• Assist in shaping and overseeing the development and implementation of the office’s outreach and communications strategies and efforts (e.g. seminars, symposia, briefings, brown-bag lunches, with the purpose of sensitizing members of the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch, media, NGOs, and other constituencies on the activities of UNDP; and
• Represent UNDP at and/or contributes to important conferences and meetings held in Washington.

• Explore non-core funding opportunities, and help facilitate the smooth implementation of existing UNDP programmatic partnerships in high priority countries including Afghanistan, and Iraq; and
• Identifies opportunities with the private sector and foundations, including with any non-government actor that may contribute to UNDP’s mission and resources.

• Serve as alternate liaison for UNDP with the United States Government, including the U.S. Congress, White House, Department of State, USAID, the National Security Council and the OMB;
• Support the preparation of the office work plan, strategy and budget;
• Support the Director's management and oversight of the office; and
• Acts as Officer-in-Charge during Director’s absence.

• 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 listen adopt, persuade and transform

• Ability to represent and effectively share UNDP views, perspectives and activities (at UN and other venues)

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

• Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Political Science, Social Sciences, International Law, International Development, Management or related fields.

• At least 10 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in development and related policy;
• Familiarity and experience of working with the US Administration, and ideally with Congress and US non-governmental organizations, and knowledge of US government budgetary processes, particularly with respect to foreign assistance;
• Excellent public relations, advocacy and communications-written and oral- skills; and
• Proven networking skills with political and non-governmental organizations.

• Fluency in English, both written and oral, is required;
• Knowledge of a second UN language is an asset

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.

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