The Agenda 2030 based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change challenges is underpinned by a strong commitment to ‘eave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first. It recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and inequality and provides a framework that comprehensively addresses all dimensions of well-being.
In 2015 the Government of Pakistan launched the SDGs in Pakistan and formally adopted them through a unanimous resolution passed in National Assembly to adopt the 2030 Agenda as a National Development Agenda. In order to take forward the implementation of 2030 Agenda, UNDP Pakistan, the Planning Commission and Provincial Planning and Development Departments have launched a national initiative on SDGs focusing on the following four outputs:
- Plans, policies and resource allocation aligned to 2030 Agenda
- Monitoring, reporting and evaluation capacities strengthened
- Innovative approaches applied to accelerate progress on priority SDGs
- Financing flows aligned to 2030 Agenda
Under the project, SDG Support Units are being established at federal level in Planning Commission and with all the provinces and regions in the Planning & Development Departments. The Punjab SDG Support Unit has been operational since August 2016 and been providing support to Punjab Government on the aforementioned outputs. To strengthen the advisory work, a Social Policy Analyst is being hired to support the SDG Unit and P&DD in providing policy support to strengthen the advisory and planning work of the SDG Unit.
Under the direct supervision of Project Manager, Social Policy Analyst will advise project team & P&DD on development priorities and trends to guide government interventions on SDG. S/he will analyze social development of Punjab and work closely with Government counterparts to identify alternative social and development policy options and enhance the policy impact of UNDP project.
Provide advice and support to project staff, and senior officials of UNDP and Government focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Compilation, analysis and interpretation of social, economic and statistical data, thorough research of the social and development issues in the country and production of relevant reports aimed at promoting equitable economic growth and human development;
- Provision of top quality analysis and substantive inputs to project, background research and other strategic documents;
- Selection of strategic research topics, surveys and/or case studies;
- Identify latest research, policy issues, and on-going national and international level policy dialogue that can add value to the project outputs and initiate corresponding activities of valuable contributions.
- Facilitation of policy dialogue on social development issues with Government, donors, civil society, and private sector;
- Contribution to development of policies, briefs, concept notes and presentations, as relevant;
- Sound contributions to knowledge management and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned;
- Training and capacity building support for Project and Government officials on social and human development issues.
Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitate knowledge building focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Design research and lead review of current government strategies (growth strategy, key sectoral strategies pertaining to social sector) and support alignment with 2030 Agenda and its prioritization;
- Facilitation of policy dialogue on social development issues with the Government, donors, civil society, and private sector;
- Sound contributions to knowledge management and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned;
- Training and capacity building support for Project and Government officials on social development issues.
Participate in the building of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Develop implementation plan to foster strategic partnerships for knowledge management and sharing with think tanks, independent experts, UN and external partner institutions, Governments, private sector, academia, NGOs, and CSOs;
- Research and analysis of information on donors working on social sector related issues in Punjab, and preparation of briefs on areas of collaboration;
- Production of periodic updates and briefs on development situation in Punjab to be used by stakeholders;
- Undertaking studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into government/development partners processes;
- Policy advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals, Human Development and pro-poor and equitable sustainable development by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings;
- Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals;
- Establishment of advocacy networks at provincial level and linkage to national and international networks. Managing the implementation of relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns with key partners;
- Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, government Strategies, provincial needs, particularly in relation to the SDGs, and donors priorities.
Provide technical support and guidance to project staff, and Government of Punjab counterparts in implementing activities for SDGs localization:
- Coordinate with UNDP and Other SDG Support Units at federal and provincial/regional level to provide support and technical inputs, and implement similar activities in Punjab;
- Provide constructive inputs in context of social development in Punjab and the initiatives required to implement SDGs;
- Undertake extensive research and coordinate with relevant government institutions to identify means to increase funding for SDGs.
Fostering Innovation and Partnership for SDGs:
- Promotes innovation internally to increase programme cohesion and results in close collaboration with UNDP Innovation team in CO.
- Connects to the Accelerator Labs community of practice
- Develops and implements strategies and methodologies to attract partnerships for innovation with the private sector and academia as well as for knowledge management and scaling-up of innovations throughout UNDP.
- Identifies partnerships in support of SDG acceleration and integration
- Monitors results of innovation for better, faster and more inclusive sustainable development results.
- Forges and nourishes strategic partnerships for increased knowledge on sustainable development and the SDGs.
- Identifies agreements that anchors ‘open’ and wide-ranging collaboration across multiple sectors among a growing network of partners;
- Identifies entry points for use of digital service such as an online facility for information exchange, learning and partnerships that creates a marketplace of ideas and triggers collaboration;
- Leverages technology in innovative ways to reach broader audiences and strengthen the UNDP brand and engagement.
The incumbent of the position should uphold the non-discriminatory behavior and ensure that:
- Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
- Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
- Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
- Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
- Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
- Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.
Impact for Results:
The key results of the post strengthen UNDPs contributions to the national policy dialogue and enhance the policy impact of UNDP project. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design of programmes, and creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. The post increases visibility of UNDP in the discussion about economic and development policies and analysis.
Core Competencies:
Responsibility & Direction:
- Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP.
People Skills:
- Promotes a learning and knowledge sharing environment;
- Facilitates the development of individual and multi-cultural/team competencies.
Technical/Functional Competencies:
Managing for Results:
- Plans and prioritizes work activities to meet desired results;
- Strategic approach to problem solving.
- Partnering & Networking:
- Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/external/ bilateral/ multilateral/public/private; civil society);
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices
- Demonstrates ability to handle working relationships with senior officials, academics and technical experts.
Innovation & Judgment:
- Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
- Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations ;
- Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviors.
Communication:
- Demonstrates outstanding communication skills, verbal and written, in English.
Job Knowledge & Expertise:
- Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands;
- Possesses extensive knowledge of economic development issues and familiarity with major macro-economic policy issues and models and the SDGs;
- Capable of applying economic theory to the specific country context;
- Demonstrates strong quantitative skills and the ability to carry out high quality economic research, including statistical analysis
- Possesses proven ability to analyze from a global perspective, with the ability to offer practical policy advice on economic issues based on local realities;
- Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource.
Gender:
- Displays gender sensitivity and promotes gender equality in all aspects of work
- Knowledge of systems for gender mainstreaming and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situation.
Education:
- Master’s Degree in Development Studies, International Development, Public Policy, Sustainable Development or related degree in social sciences discipline.
Experience:
- At least 02 years of relevant experience after Master Degree at the national or international level;
- Substantial experience in social development and poverty reduction strategies in developing country contexts. Awareness of SDGs related policy matters and aid effectiveness issues;
- Extensive experience in resarch and policy-level analysis, including in formulation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies and development programmes /projects;
- Demonstrated experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.
Language Requirements:
- Excellent knowledge of English, and working knowledge of Urdu an asset.
Please Note:
HEC attested degrees are a prerequisite for employment at UNDP. During the recruitment process candidates may be required to present HEC attested degrees.
Foreign Qualified Candidates: Foreign degree holders shall be required to(i) Present a verification/certification letter from the university verifying the degree & student enrollment, orii) Foreign degree Equivalence Letter from HEC.
UNDP provides the Equal Opportunity for all equally qualified male & female including the physically challenged candidates, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply (local and internal VA)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) does not charge fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interviews, selection or induction etc. Moreover, UNDP does not concern itself with any information on the applicants bank accounts
"UNDP has zero tolerance towards Sexual Harassment (SH) and Sexual Exploitation & Abuse (SEA)”.
Contract Duration: 1 Year