Office/Unit/Project Description
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 offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its 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 UNDP’s Strategic Plan.
Within the Global Policy Network (GPN), the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.
UNDP's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlights our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, accompanying countries in their pathways towards the SDGs and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP's Nature, Climate Change, Energy, Chemicals and Waste Hubs promote and scale up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.
Under BPPS, the newly established UNDP Nature Hub leads the organization’s work to put nature at the forefront of development efforts, advancing nature-based solutions for realizing a sustainable planet, as well as scaling up of solutions for sustainable management of natural resources. The Hub focuses on core areas such as enhancing environmental governance, advocating for sustainable development, improving biodiversity finance, fostering resilient food and agricultural systems, promoting sustainable land use, advancing wildlife conservation, and nurturing green jobs. It also oversees initiatives related to Water, Oceans and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The Nature Hub is the arrowhead of UNDP’s commitment to the Nature Pledge, supporting more than 140 countries in achieving their ambitious goals under the Global Biodiversity Framework and nature-dependent Sustainable Development Goals. The Nature Pledge focuses on three system shifts essential to putting nature at the heart of sustainable development: a value shift, an economic and finance shift, and a policy and practice shift.
As part of the accelerated and quality implementation of the Nature Pledge, the 2-year project Advancing Nature in UNDP Development Thinking and Practice for Human Development was recently approved by the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation. The project aims to strengthen UNDP’s internal corporate capacities to understand and advance a Nature-centric approach for human development, and in so doing accelerate the Nature Value Shift through its large global portfolio of external advocacy, policy, programming and partnerships. In turn, this will catalyse greater investment and on-the-ground action in Nature-positive development across economic productive sectors and value chains at the global, national, and local level.
UNDP is seeking a Nature Pledge Analyst to support technical research, partnership development, as well as provide support for project coordination, monitoring and reporting for this project and broader efforts to implement the Nature Pledge.
Scope of Work
Key Functions:
a) Support effective project management and coordination
Support development and monitoring of workplans, budget, procurement and recruitment, and ensure timely implementation of the Nature Pledge project. Ensure timely and quality reporting to donors and support internal reporting. Provide operational and technical support to consultants and project personnel and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.b) Technical support for research and Nature mainstreaming
Liaise with different units within UNDP HQ and regional and country offices for implementation of the Nature for Human Development project. Support organization and participation in UN interagency and partner coordination fora. Guide and support Nature integration within different UNDP policies and publications, shaping strong narratives in collaboration with different units of UNDP. Provide technical and coordination support for development and dissemination of the 2026 Human Development Report working closely with the Human Development Report Office. Support development of technical discussion papers, briefing notes and talking points for senior managers.c) Partnership development support
Coordinate the strategic engagement with stakeholders at the global level, including UN agencies, NGOs, and scientific institutions, to strengthen and develop partnerships Support resource mobilization and further development of the Nature Pledge programme expansionThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangements
The incumbent will report to and be directly supervised by Senior Policy Advisor on Environmental Governance. The incumbent is primarily responsible for the successful management and implementation for the project. The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment; The incumbent will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection. Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.Competencies Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goalsBusiness Direction & Strategy
Systems 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 Effective Decision Making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implicationsCommunications
Campaign management: Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change.2030 Agenda People
Gender: Women, Peace, and Security2030 Agenda Peace
Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Access to Justice and Security for Women and GirlsMinimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA
Min. Academic Education
Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Environmental or Natural Sciences Geography, Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, or other closely related field is required; or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields 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
Applicants with a master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in delivery, coordination and/or management of projects related to sustainable development.Desired additional skills and competencies
Experience in multidisciplinary research in the field of environment and development, involving stakeholder consultations towards development of initiatives, or knowledge products. Practical experience working with or interacting with international institutions, academic institutions, and/or donors’ institutions, in the field of environment and sustainable development. Good knowledge/ experience on the global Human Development Report and Human Development index. Experience in applying UNDP policies, procedures and practices on project and programme management and/or monitoring and evaluation. Experience in supporting the development of knowledge products. Experience in project and donor reporting.Required Language(s) (at working level)
Fluency in English is required.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.