Coordinator, Knowledge Centre and Think Tank Programme

Bern

Organization: UPU - Universal Postal Union
Location: Bern
Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/22/P5/FT-C/374

Title: Coordinator, Knowledge Centre and Think Tank Programme

Grade: P5

Type of contract: Fixed-term (Core) Appointment

Duration: Three years

Publication Date: 15 September 2022

Application Deadline: 26 October 2022
(40 day(s) until closing deadline)
Currently accepting applications

Organizational Unit: Policy, Regulation and Markets Directorate (DPRM)

Duty Station: Bern Switzerland

Scheduled date for taking up appointment: As soon as possible

Organizational Context:
With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

Main duties:
Under the direction and responsibility of the Director, DPRM, lead, coordinate and supervise all strategic and programme level operational activities in the areas of/or in relation to:
- the design, formulation and development of the UPU's strategy for the next cycle and the implementation, evaluation and monitoring of the UPU's strategy for the current cycle;
- design and implementation of the proposed UPU Innovation Lab and its work programme;
- economic research, information management and big data analytics to support the work of the UPU and the deliverables of the programme in particular;
- the production and further development of the programme's products and services such as the UPU's flagship index and associated report, the Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD);
- the development of new products and services such as publications and analytical tools related to the programme's activities;
- the maintenance and development of collaboration activities with other international organizations, academia and wider postal sector players; and
- the delivery of data and research driven technical assistance/consulting projects to UPU member countries.

1. Strategy development, implementation and monitoring.
1.1. Lead and coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the UPU's strategy and its allocated strategic planning process including through: (a) policy advice, recommendations and proposals for the relevant bodies of the UPU and the Executive Management of the International Bureau; and (b) internal and external stakeholder engagement and consultation processes as required.
1.2. Related to the programme's activities and deliverables, supervise and ensure: (a) the conduct of economic and statistical research, the publication of studies, reports and other advisory and/or analytical materials and the dissemination of such outputs through relevant channels in support of the UPU's work and the organization's role as a knowledge centre; (b) the organization of forums such as conferences and workshops related to matters falling within the purview of the programme; and (c) the development and deployment of best in market analytical and research tools.
1.3. In coordination with the Programme Manager, Institutional Strategy, lead, manage and develop relations with UPU external stakeholders and partners in the fields of strategy, economic research and data analytics with a view to securing outputs of value to the UPU.
1.4. Working with other DPRM programmes as well as other International Bureau directorates, coordinate technical assistance/consulting projects to UPU member countries in matters falling under the purview and substantive expertise of the programme.
1.5. Represent the UPU at relevant forum meetings including conferences and events.
1.6. Lead the secretariat support (including as Secretary) for the committee work undertaken by the two Councils (POC and CA) on activities linked to strategic planning within the UPU.
1.7. Provide overall supervision of the activities of the Institutional Strategy team.

2. Innovation Lab
2.1. Lead and coordinate the conceptualisation, design and implementation of the UPU's Innovation Lab.
2.2. In coordination with the Programme Manager, Innovation Lab define the work programme and deliverables of the Lab and ensure their implementation in line with the Abidjan Postal Strategy and identified priorities.
2.3. Ensure that the Innovation Lab has a track record of success of bringing value through innovative approaches to strategic, regulatory and operational issues faced by UPU member countries.
2.4. Identify, develop, and lead public and private partnerships that will serve the goal of the Lab.
2.5. Provide overall supervision of the activities of the Innovation Lab.

3. Programme management
3.1. Ensure delivery of all objectives of the programme on time and on budget.
3.2. Supervise and manage all administrative duties linked to the activities of the programme.
3.3. Lead and manage programme staff including setting objectives and assessing performance.

QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Education:
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, business administration, or any such related field, or first university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent).

Experience:
With an advanced university degree at least 10 years, with a first level university degree at least 12 years, of international experience in management consulting and/or strategic planning as well as business development in a relevant service industry.

Technical knowledge:
1. Solid knowledge and proven experience in strategy development and implementation, strategic planning processes and project management and evaluation methodologies.
2. Solid knowledge of and proven experience with designing and implementing economic and policy research and bringing to market outputs of such research.
3. Solid knowledge and proven experience in securing, building and maintaining value adding stakeholder partnerships.
4. Good knowledge and understanding of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends affecting the postal sector and/or related fields as well as international organizations.
5. Capacity to develop and implement standardized strategic planning tools to foster consistency over time and across the organisation's projects.

Skills and abilities / competencies:
1. Excellent and proven leadership and strategic skills.
2. Results oriented, on time and on budget.
3. Ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects in a multicultural context.
4. Ability to educate, communicate and advocate on the UPU's objectives and activities in the areas covered by the position.
5. Good interpersonal and presentation skills; strong ability to develop arguments; excellent communication skills with strong representational abilities.
6. Negotiation skills.
7. High sense of professional integrity and political sensitivity.

Language skills:
Proficiency in English or French. Working knowledge of the other language would be an asset.

Additional Information:
French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Priority shall be given for an internal promotion.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year).
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)
90,664 USD

Post adjustment: 73.5 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

The conditions of service are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form.
All applications must be received by the closing date as stated in the vacancy announcement.

All applicants employed by postal entities and applying for a vacant position in the Professional (P) or Senior (D) category must be recommended and submitted through the competent postal authority.
Applications not satisfying this criterion may not be considered.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged.

The UPU promotes diversity and work-life balance.

For further instructions regarding the online application process, please visit the UPU internet page at:

...

Currently accepting applications