Back Inclusive Growth & Prosperity Advisor

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. Within 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.

UNDP works with countries and partners in the Asia and the Pacific (AP) region in identifying relevant solutions to today’s complex and trans-boundary development challenges. We support them to design and implement large scale development initiatives that deliver lasting social, economic and environmental improvements and transform governance systems in countries across the region with a focus on the most vulnerable groups.

The Inclusive Growth and Prosperity Advisor is based in the Bangkok Regional Hub and reporting to the Bangkok Regional Hub Manager and the BPPS Inclusive Growth Team Leader in HQ, leading the Inclusive Growth and Prosperity Team, and working closely with the Chief of the Asia-Pacific Economist Network and the SDG Integration Advisor.  The Inclusive Growth and Prosperity Advisor will provide technical and policy advisory services to UNDP Country Offices, as well as provide substantive leadership in areas on poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. Substantive leadership on these areas will be framed through a lens of productivity, inclusion, empowerment, resilience and effective governance, following UNDP’s narrative in the Asia-Pacific region.

In collaboration with the programme and policy teams in the Bangkok Regional Hub, including the SDG Integration Team, the Regional Innovation Centre, Country Accelerator Labs, SDG Finance Team, and UNDP’s wider Global Policy Network (GPN), the Inclusive Growth and Prosperity Advisor is responsible for leading the provision of technical expertise and policy and programme advisory services to COs, in alignment with the corporate priorities and policies. S/he is working to ensure quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as alignment with the UNDP Strategic Plan, regional workplans, and the new UNDP SDG integration strategy and mandate, as well as to advance the credibility and recognition of UNDP’s capabilities in this knowledge domain and associated community of practice.

• Provide substantive leadership in the analysis of drivers and challenges for the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequality, and sustainable development in AP, through a productivity, inclusion, empowerment, resilience and effective governance lens;
• Lead on the development of knowledge products on issues related to development economics in the region including multidimensional poverty, inequality, LNOB and social protection, structural economic transformation, urbanization, extractives, jobs and livelihoods, among others, through working with the Global Policy Centers; and
• Develop tools and methods that strengthen UNDPs offer on poverty and inequality reduction for the achievement of the SDGs. 

• Provide substantive policy advisory services to COs that respond to their demands and needs; 
• Work with the Regional Bureau’s Country Advisors to ensure relevant, timely and multi-disciplinary response to country needs for policy analysis and packaging of policy options as well as design and/or recalibration of programmes;
• Identify opportunities to scaling up investments on UNDP’s work on poverty eradication, inequality and inclusive growth; and
• Scan the horizon for new areas of work where UNDP could position itself as a relevant actor according to emerging country demands and develop capacities around those areas.  

• Lead dialogues on poverty reduction, inclusive sustainable growth and social issues with governments, donors, civil society, and private sector in the region; 
• Develop cutting-edge policy analysis, particularly on relevant issues to governments and other development actors;
• Meet with government counterparts, where relevant, to help position UNDP as a knowledge and programmatic leader in the areas of poverty and inequality reduction; and 
• Provide capacity building support for government officials on inclusive growth.

• Actively contribute to UNDP’s poverty and inequality and SDG integration Communities of Practice including by curating data, evidence and applied research to distill innovative lessons learned and knowledge for UNDP AP and globally; 
• Enabling and advocate for South-South facilitation of exchanges and experiences sharing where relevant;
• Models substantive innovation (working closely with the Policy Center) and empowers colleagues to create new approaches that build their individual capacities and enhances the reputation of the inclusive growth and sustainable development team and APRC as a center of excellence.  
• Build a network of partner organizations among academic and research institutions, and especially with bilateral donor agencies, UN Agencies, and IFIs to enrich UNDP policies and programmes;
• Provide oversight of capacity development of UNDP staff in application of tools and practices and capacity building initiatives for national stakeholders. 

• Lead in substantive debate and collaboration with the Human Development Report Office, and institutions, such as think tanks, universities and financial institutions, to inform the strategic direction of UNDP’s policy advisory support in inclusive growth; 
• Represent UNDP in relevant high-profile arenas to influence the development policy direction in the region; 
• Represent UNDP as required within engagements in interagency coordination on policy areas related to development economics; 
• Engage with regional partners around resource mobilization; and
• Manage the building of strategic alliances and partnerships, especially with key think tanks and non-governmental organizations.

• Master's degree, in development economics, sustainable development or related social sciences 

• A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience in leading teams, providing policy advice and advancing the development and implementation of inclusive growth/poverty alleviation approaches in different development contexts.
• Proven track record and in the UN System related to inclusive growth, poverty eradication. 
• Strong analytical skills in economic and social dimensions of sustainable development.
• Experience working in AP highly desirable.

• English proficiency, 2nd UN language is considered an asset but not required.

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