Back Strategy Advisor- IPSA 12

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.
Description  

1. Organizational context

UNDP works with countries to expand people’s choices for a fairer, sustainable future.  UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-25 aims to build a more agile, anticipatory UNDP that embraces complexity, actively manages risk, continually adapts and seeks to learn alongside delivering results.   The Strategy and Futures (S&F) Team in the Executive Office supports the UNDP Administrator in building a more agile, anticipatory UNDP, alert to the trends and changes of an uncertain world and ready to respond to many different futures.

The S&F Team is responsible for two pillars of work: strategy and futures. Both pillars intersect and help inform each other. The strategy pillar is responsible for shepherding the development of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and driving the midterm review of the plans. The futures pillar’s focus is to connect, cohere and amplify the various futures efforts across UNDP, linking people and resources of knowledge and experience into and to establish a futures ecosystem, enabling UNDP to achieve stronger development impact. 

2. Objectives of the unit 

The Strategy & Futures team having oriented UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-25 around a vision of a more future-smart and anticipatory UNDP, will work closely with all bureaus, regional and country offices to connect and amplify the various foresight initiatives already underway across the organization, building a coherent futures ecosystem.  In addition to steering the successful design and implementation of the Strategic Plan, it also aims to infuse a futures perspective throughout UNDP’s work that translates into a stronger decision-making and impact, as countries recognize the value of programmes that can anticipate and adapt to change, helping them to confidently navigate an uncertain future. 

3. How the required services will contribute to the work of the unit and scope of work

The Strategy Advisor will contribute primarily to the design of UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029 process, methodologies and products, and support futures thinking across UNDP in support of the S&F Team’s objectives. The Strategy Advisor’s scope of work is: 

1. Substantively contribute to the design UNDP’s next Strategic Plan 2026-29, including the different phases of engagement with various UNDP stakeholders leading up to its endorsement by UNDP’s Executive Board; 
2. Incorporate strategic foresight to the Strategic Plan design, drawing on the lessons learned from the previous Plan development and state-of-the art strategic planning practices; 
3. Carry out analysis of lessons learned from the evaluations of UNDP’s work, including the Strategic Plan 2022-25 evaluation to inform organizational strategy development
4. Facilitate the analysis of how global trends and alternative scenarios may impact the pathways to reaching UNDP’s objectives, and consider their implications for planning; 
5. Engage with UNDP’s key stakeholders, by helping organize workshops, retreats, and consultations.              
6. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Strategy and Futures Team and the UNDP

   Institutional Arrangement

   The Strategy Advisor will be part of the UNDP Executive Office Strategy & Futures Team and reports to the Head of the Strategy and Futures Team.  She/he will be required working closely with the S&F Team, other units in the Executive Office and the broader organization.

   Competencies     Core   Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact  Think Innovatively: LEVEL 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands  Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

   Cross-Functional & Technical competencies  Thematic Area Name Definition

   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 

   System Thinking - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

   Business Direction & Strategy 

   Negotiation and Influence - Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations Digital & Innovation Futures & foresight - Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty  
     Required Skills and Experience   Min. Education requirements
   • Advanced university degree (Master’s Degee or equivalent)  in Social Policy, Public Policy, Polical Science, International Relations, Development Economics, Development Studies or a related area;  is required.or 
   • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree)in the above areas, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree Min. years of relevant work experience 
     • A minimum of 10 years (with Master’s degree) or 12 years( with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible work experience in international development is required.  Required  skills 
       • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
         • Experience in designing senior level workshops or retreats to inform strategy development
         • Experience in planning and managing organization wide strategic planning processes 
         • Experience in developing country settings 
         • Excellent knowledge of English, as well as outstanding writing, presentation and communication skills Required Language(s)  Fluency in English is required. Disclaimer
             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.
             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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