UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. One of the priorities for the GPN is to better map the competencies, experience and capacities of UNDP’s global workforce, in order to tap the skills needed to implement multidisciplinary solutions to development challenges as well as those related to crisis prevention and recovery.
Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau (CB) guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. Building on the CB work, UNDP has a unique opportunity to strengthen its interventions in crisis and fragile settings to address root causes, development deficits, and reduce vulnerabilities that bring together humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts in the context of the UN’s new way of working.
The Crisis Bureau supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts in close coordination and thematic synergy with BPPS through the GPN.
In this renewed and dynamic framework, the Special Assistant to the Director CB acts as a conduit and the executive coordinator of the Director’s priorities and agenda while ensuring the effective coordination with the Chief of the Joint Directorate, GPN in /exchange of ideas, activities and strategies with the Crises Bureau. The incumbent coordinates the substantive flow of information to and from the CB Directorate, optimizing the Director’s interventions with external and internal management and individual staff. S/he identifies crosscutting priorities, activities and decisions within CB, the Global Policy Network and UNDP requiring action by the Director.
The incumbent acts with solid knowledge on substantive CB issues, with the highest degree of professional tact and personal discretion with a view to ensuring the Director’s work is prepared thoroughly and coordinated seamlessly across the Bureau and organization.
The incumbent conducts comprehensive research and advices the Director on strategic and policy matters that are predominantly substantive and sensitive in nature. The Special Assistant will liaise, coordinate, analyze, and integrate substantive input from the various CB / GPN units into the work of the Directorate and build partnerships within the organization, provide oversight to the administration of the Directorate. S/he is entrusted with the collaboration with BERA, BMS, Regional Bx and the Executive Office to ensure the implementation of managerial decisions and strategies.
Summary of Key Functions
- Strategy, Policy Advice, and Support to the Director of CB
- Knowledge Management/Partnerships
- Representational Activities
- Special Projects
- Management Functions
1) Strategy, Policy Advice, and Support to the Director of CB
- Provides substantive briefings to the Director on sensitive issues and provides advice and guidance on issues for the Office’s decision to enable the Director to take fact-based, well-informed decisions.
- Coordination with BERA/ExO on sensitive and substantive issues related to CB.
- Provides authoritative and strategic advice on a range of issues related to the Director of CB’s priorities in the preparation, coordination, and development of documentation (including speeches) for the EG, OPG, and other corporate meetings and inter-agency presentations;
- Provides strategic inputs for the development and monitoring of CB Business solutions.
- Serves as primary organizer of key task force or special meetings. Drafts goals and objectives for ad hoc committees and task forces proposed by the Director.
- Coordinates and prepares crosscutting CB responses to strategy, policy and procedural questions; and issues from senior management and donor groups as required.
- Optimizes the contribution of the Director in inter-agency work by ensuring that all preparations required from across CB are substantively appropriate and coordinated in a timely manner.
- Tracks, monitors and follows-up on the progress of various initiatives, projects, action items, strategies.
- Advises and assists the Director in developing and implementing annual business strategies to strengthen the strategic focus and the overall cohesiveness of CB and the GPN network
- Identifies key issues for discussion and develops the agenda for regular senior management meetings, chaired by the Director.
- Conducts research, substantive review and critical analysis of information and documents for the Director.
- Supports the planning of annual or ad hoc staff retreats.
- Supports the Director in implementing a vision for the Office and ensuring that CB delivers on its commitments, following up pending issues with Senior Managers for response/decision.
2) Knowledge Management/Partnerships
- Keeps abreast of major events globally which are of interest and relevance to CB and advises the Director accordingly.
- Identifies where critical and intersecting issues occur in the achievement of the SDGs compiling the persuasive analysis and documentation that expands awareness of these issues among managers, while pointing toward innovative business solutions.
- In coordination with the senior managers of CB, ensures that guidance provided by the Director is included in the conduct of management activities.
- Prepares speech outlines, concept papers, aide memoires, memoranda and other substantive documents of a broad and complex nature.
- Monitors, analyses and reports on progress/developments of relevant international forums pertaining to matters of interest to the Director.
- Prepares and coordinates succinct CB management reports and other documents for the Executive Team, BMS, BERA and the Executive Board; compiles and summarizes substantive documentation on the overall management of CB and the GPN in the organisation drawing attention to emerging issues and proposing possible recommendations; partners with relevant CB and GPN Clusters/Groups on reporting contents that effectively and consistently carry the GPN message.
- Facilitates interoffice communications between the Director, the Deputy Director and CB staff. Provides liaison and specific inputs for issues that should be brought to the attention of the Director or Deputy Director. Identifies and addresses communication gaps, if any, ensuring information flow within the Bureau.
- Serves as the key interlocutor for the Director with the offices of high-level officials in the UN System and other external partners.
- Provides inputs to the CB Integrated Work Plan (IWP);
- Serves as the focal point for the assigned topics / areas;
- Participates in knowledge management and practice networks.
- Drafts and reviews substantive papers and other correspondence as requested by the Director.
- Collects inputs by BX clients on issues that might necessitate special policy modifications / clarifications.
3) Representational Activities and Partnerships
- Advocates for the GPN and its practical integration within the working process and documentation of the EG, OPG, and other corporate meetings.
- Represents senior management, as required, in inter-agency forums as well as internal UNDP meetings to establish agreements within pre-determined guidelines.
- Coordinates and provides quality assurance for management responses to Executive Board decisions;
- Monitors donor relationships and highlights impending actions when required;
- Provides substantive input for intra- and inter-departmental communication, outreach and advocacy as well as fosters an environment of technical precision in all unit communication.
4) Special Projects
- Initiates, plans and manages special assignments/projects for the Director and serves as his/her representative at meetings with other managers for planning and coordination purposes;
- Responsible for the design, coordination, implementation, and reporting on special projects with an emphasis on ‘whole office’ and impact, in close collaboration and Coordination with Deputy Directors/Senior Managers of CB and the BPPS and their respective special assistants.
- Contribute to the implementation of a meaningful continuous dialogue between CB managers and personnel with careful attention to a shift of performance management from assessment and compliance to ongoing support and improving the quality of work.
5) Strategic Planning and Management Support Functions
- In close collaboration with other units in CB and the GPN, contributes to the formulation and implementation of programmatic and operational strategies and policies for the Bureau;
- Formulates joint strategies, work plans and performance indicators in consultation with other units and bureaus for integrated and coordinated support to COs, and liaise with other HQ units in UNDP and the broader UN system as required;
- Leads CB internal work planning throughout the full cycle, ensuring full alignment with UNDP’s corporate priorities and GPN priorities areas of work and regularly monitoring work plan execution;
- Lead the monitoring and supports the execution of CB strategies to achieve maximum impact;
- Supports the CB Director in managing and guiding UNDP’s work at global level liaising and coordinating with CO, Regional hubs and other platforms.
- Ensure own accountability for the integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of the Director’s instructions and agendas.
- Ensure effective Resource Management by providing strategic and data inputs into CB’s budget and Integrated preparation exercises.
- Manages the CB system to track internal management/policy group as well as OPG/EG/EB/PC commitments;
- Supports the organization of regular staff meetings and special events;
- Supports effective internal communications with staff;
- Advises the CB Deputy Director on a range of issues relating to management and the overall “state of the bureau”, including emerging concerns of staff;
- Implement CB Director’s decisions on recruitment, performance and career management of staff to motivate staff members.
- Identifies synergies with CB on integrated GPN work.
Core:
Innovation
- Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
Leadership:
- Ability to persuade others to follow.
People Management:
- Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
Communication:
- Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.
Delivery:
- Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.
Technical/Functional:
Strategic Planning
- Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and missionand in line with available resources.
Conflict Analysis and Risk Assessment:
- Knowledge of conflict analisys and risk asessment concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Client Orientation:
- Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies Business solutions.
Priority setting:
- Ability to scan and synthesize diverse sets of information to arrive at strategic priorities and positioning recommendations.
Stakeholder Collaboration & Partnerships:
- Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. Engages in active consultation with organizational units within UNDP, regarding CB systems and strategies.
Team Building:
- Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals.
Knowledge Management:
- Ability to manage organizational knowledge to enhance and sustain capacity development of CB issues.
Education:
- Advanced University degree in Business or Public Administration, Law, Economics, International Relations or Organizational Development is required.
Experience:
- At least 7 years progressively responsible professional experience in policy network context and similar positions in other international organizations.
- 4 years of relevant in experience in providing strategic and advice and support in the development and implementation of develop policy strategies.
- At least 2 years of experience in UN system Country Office settings or with a multilateral organization of similar size and complexity is required.
- Experience in crisis context is desirable.
Language Requirements:
- English Proficiency;
- Proficiency in 2nd UN would be 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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension