To address complex development challenges in Thailand, UNDP and the Royal Thai Government through the Office of National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has initiated the Thailand Policy Lab to introduce innovative approaches to policy-making and public service delivery in Thailand. The Thailand Policy Lab aims to design and test policy process prototypes for developing innovative policy options and recommendations and connect and build capacities of various key stakeholders in Thailand both at the national and sub-national levels to accelerate the impact of innovation in public policy and services and exchange knowledge and experiences. the Thailand Policy Lab is structured around three pillars: policy innovation exploration and experimentation, capacity building on policy innovation and establishing a learning community of innovators.

The guiding objectives of the Thailand Policy Lab are as follow:

  • To foster inclusive and citizen-driven policymaking at national and sub-national levels.
  • To innovate policymaking processes for tackling contemporary challenges.
  • To enhance capacities of the public and private sectors at national and subnational levels to design and implement innovative policies.
  • To build a multi-level sustainable network of policy innovators.
  • To promote Thailand as the leading regional hub for policy innovation.

To support implementation of the activities of the Thailand Policy Lab, UNDP Thailand is looking for a Policy Innovation Associate to support the implementation of the innovation agenda of the Thailand Policy Lab that aligns with the plans of the Royal Thai Government and UNDP in Thailand. He/She will report directly to Head of TPLab and will work closely with the team of UNDP programme and operation teams in Thailand and NESDC, including other government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector to ensure successful acceleration of innovation to improve public policy and services towards the achievement of the SDGs.

Scope of Work

Strategic management and leadership of the innovation agenda of the TPLab

  • Manage TPLab team and ensure the delivery of desired outcomes.
  • Develop TPLab’s strategies for supporting the acceleration of innovation to improve public policy and services towards the achievement of the SDGs.
  • Take lead in planning and managing complex projects from the initial ideation phase to the final execution.
  • Advise TPLab team on policy matters to guide development of projects.
  • Provide information support and suggestion for the UNDP and NESDC on the innovation policy development and related issues.
  • Lead capacity-building efforts based on the training needs identified by TPLab.

Resource mobilization and building partnerships with key government agencies, private sector and United Nations stakeholders

  • Represent TPLab in meetings with stakeholders and strategic partners.
  • Communicate TPLab positions in public presentations.
  • Build and maintain strategic relationships with partners including government agencies, private sector, CSO, co-donor organizations, development/alliance partners, and external consultants.
  • Lead the overall resource mobilization for the future sustainability of the TPLab.
  • Contributes to embedding the TPLab into the national, regional, and global innovation networks and continuously expands the expertise base available to support TPLab’s work with its clients.
  • Engage with investors and support UNDP Thailand and the Royal Thai Government in attracting investment into successful prototype projects.

Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Design and implement knowledge sharing and communication strategies of TPLab.
  • Organize knowledge sharing for the communities and partners in line with promoting the innovation policy in practice.
  • Organize trainings for staff and relevant clients with the aim of building new skillsets.

Institutional Arrangement

Head – Thailand Policy Lab will lead the formulation and oversee the implementation of the innovation agenda of the TPLab in support and alignmenwith the plans of the Royal Thai Government and UNDP in Thailand. Head of TPLab will work in close collaboration with government agencies, CSOs, private sector and relevant UNDP program and operation teams to ensure successful acceleration of innovation to improve public policy and services towards the achievement of the SDGs.

She/He reports to the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Thailand and works closely with team of UNDP and NESDC.

Competencies

Achieve Results:  LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:   LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and Strategy: Strategic Thinking - Ability to develop effective strategies and prioriti]ed plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions

Business Development: Human Centered Design- Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process

Business Management: Partnerships Management- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks and stakedholers, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management: Resource Management- Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Business Development: Knowledge Generation- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management: Results-based Management- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results

Qualifications

Min. Education requirements: Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Social Sciences or related disciplines. PhD in related field would be an asset.

Min. years of relevant work experience: Minimum 5 years experience of increasing responsibility in public sector, private sector, or international organizations - ideally with experience in public policy process, innovative management approaches, public and private sector innovation strategies, corporate strategies or development financing.

Required skills

  • Proven experience in working with governments or international organizations on innovation.
  • Solid experience in leading, supervising and motivating staff and office management.
  • Demonstrated experience in innovative approaches in development work.
  • Extensive experience of coordinating international and multi-sector stakeholders including private, public and the civil sectors partners.
  • Experience in coordinating with, and/or working with the public sector

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

  • Knowledge of UNDP or the UN System is desirable.

Required Language(s)

  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Thai

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

  1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
  2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
  3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
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