Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 
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.

The Executive Office (ExO) is the coordinating platform through which the Administrator provides leadership and strategic guidance to the organization, guides the elaboration of its strategic and programmatic priorities, and ensures that UNDP’s overall management and internal coordination are conducted in full compliance with its mandate, accountability, and reporting requirements. The ExO enables the Administrator and the Associate Administrator (A/AA) to work closely together in order to perform a set of critical leadership roles. It assists them both in delivering on their distinct, but fundamentally complementary roles – including for the Administrator in his role as UNSDG Vice Chair. 

The Office of the Administrator (OA) in the ExO is responsible for the strategic positioning of the Administrator and Associate Administrator (A/AA) to better leverage high impact opportunities for thought leadership and influencing. This includes the strategic management of the A/AA’s forward agendas to focus their participation on high value and/or high visibility events, bilateral meetings, and country visits to help drive forward the Strategic Plan. It also includes effective and timely coordination between OA staff and other Bureau focal points to ensure that briefing and other supporting materials for the A/AA are of high quality and are received on time. The OA team assists with the preparation and/or review of speeches, statements and briefings as well as effective media and communications related to the A/AA to ensure consistent corporate messaging and advocacy including around the Strategic Plan. The team assists in the staffing of the A/AA on country visits and for other events. 

The ExO hosts the Secretariat of the UNDP/UNFPA and UNOPS Executive Board, the Secretariat for the Executive Group (EG) and Organisational Performance Group (OPG) as well as a number of ‘surge’ teams including Digital and the Accelerator Labs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Staff and Director, Executive Office, and in close collaboration with the Administrator and the Associate Administrator, the Deputy Chief of Staff is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Executive Office including relevant administrative matters. H/she collaborates with the Director to ensure the smooth running of the office and the provision of timely and quality briefings to the Administrator and Associate Administrator as required. 

The Deputy interacts with the most senior staff of UNDP (i.e. the Administrator, Associate Administrator, Bureau Directors, Heads of Independent Offices and of hosted entities) so as to elicit substantive information as required by the Administrator and Associate Administrator to make informed decisions. H/she also liaises on a regular basis with senior officials and various office within the UN system, including the Office of the Secretary General, for an exchange of at-times sensitive information.
 
The Deputy works closely with all teams inside the Executive Office, including the Corporate Performance Unit, the Strategy and Futures Team, the Operations Team and the Special Assistants’ teams for both the A/AA, the Chief Digital Officer’s team and other relevant colleagues, to ensure smooth exchange of information across the Office at all times.
 
Ensures that the Administrator/Associate Administrator receives relevant and accurate information on a timely basis to perform their leadership functions
  • In conjunction with the Director and the A/AA Special Assistants, interact with UNDP Bureau Directors and senior officials of the UN system to ensure the A/AA are kept abreast of important developments affecting the work of UNDP;
  • Call the attention of the Administrator/Associate Administrator to challenges and problems, advise on solutions, handle delicate matters with discretion, and follow up on decisions.
  • Work closely with the Administrator’s Media Adviser on all reputational risk issues keeping the A/AA and Director closely informed
  • Work closely with relevant Bureaus in particular BPPS and CB to identify strategic high profile opportunities for the A/AA on thought leadership
  • In conjunction A/AA’s special assistants, ensure information flow to and from the A/AA, including email and correspondence is handled smoothly and efficiently and all critical issues are raised in a timely manner.
     

Strategic Management of Administrator/Associate Administrator forward agendas to ensure their time is able to be used efficiently and strategically

  • In conjunction with the Director and Special Assistants, leverage high impact opportunities for the A/AA’s participation including high value/high visibility events and bilaterals (eg: HLPF, GA, COP, G20, HDR launches etc);
  • In close consultation with the Director and Special Assistants’ teams provide advice on overseas travel engagements and country visits as required taking into account political priorities and considerations;
  • Ensure that briefing and other supporting materials (eg briefings, speeches, statements etc) for the A/AA are of high quality and received on time so that they are well prepared for all interactions

Special assignments and focal point activities

  • ExO Focal Point for Executive Board preparations including the Administrator’s participation in the interactive dialogues working closely with the Secretary of the Board, EB Secretariat and other Bureaus
  • ExO Focal Point for HLPF and GA including working closely with Bureaus on all corporate high level events that involve the Administrator
  • Focal Point on all reputational and risk issues working in close consultation with the Director
  • Manage all crisis situations effectively in close consultation with the Director
  • Support the EG/OPG Secretariat policy lead as required on preparation for EG and OPG meetings in close consultation with Chief of CPU
  • ExO Focal Point for SDG Campaign and Accelerator Labs teams in support of the Director
     

Manage the day-to-day operations of the Executive Office

  • Effective management of the day-to-day operations of the ExO in support of the Director;Help manage staff workloads and ensure appropriate staffing of all A/AA meetings in close consultation with Special Assistants’ teams;
  • Ensure annual ExO Performance Management, business planning and budget processes are delivered on time
    Ensure effective management systems in place for all supervisees
  • Clear correspondence to be signed by the A/AA as required;
  • Deputize for the Director, as required.
     
Competencies
Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here.
  • Achieve Results - Level 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact
  • Think Innovatively - Level 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight
  • Learn Continuously - Level 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all
  • Adapt with Agility - Level 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes
  • Act with Determination - Level 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence
  • Engage and Partner - Level 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co- creation
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion - Level 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion

People Management Competencies - UNDP People Management Competencies can be found here.

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies
  • Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking - Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized 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; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
  • Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making Collective Intelligence - Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources
  • Business Development: Collective Intelligence Design - Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions.
  • Business Development: Integration within the UN - Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.
  • 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 Management: Communication - Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
  • Partnership Management: Relationship Management - Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s Degree equivalent in Economics, International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Business Management or any academic field related to sustainable development and international cooperation.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 15 years relevant professional experience in progressively senior management positions within the United Nations Development System, in international organizations and / or multi-lateral financial institutions or any other relevant international organizations with clear demonstration of high-level engagement on international political and /or sustainable development matters.
  • High level of communication and inter-personal skills, with demonstrated experience in managing diverse teams and in senior leadership settings.
  • Proven track record in formulating partnerships, negotiating partnership agreements, structuring contractual arrangements with stakeholders, third parties and funding partners. 
  • Documented experience in work-planning and performance management, organizational reviews and risk management, including interpreting and processing key institutional data, monitoring of programme activities and quality assurance.
  • Familiarity with UNDP’s institutional setting and programmatic work is a distinct advantage. Field experience in developing countries is highly desirable.

Language:

  • Fluency in the English language, both oral and written is required.
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is highly desirable.
     

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.


Disclaimer
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.

 
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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