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.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context
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.
Within the 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. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.
BPPS’s Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy, and Chemicals and Waste, works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate nature, climate, energy and waste related concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies, support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and oversee the implementation of the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming nature, climate change, energy and waste.
The position will be located in the Chemicals and Waste Hub. Sound chemical and waste management could eliminate the hazardous chemicals and waste from the key value chains, facilitate the transition to sustainable production and consumption patterns towards circularity. Chemicals and Waste Hub has specialized technical and policy advisory teams in New York, Istanbul, Bangkok, Addis, Aman, and Panama to support clients' countries through UNDP regional hubs and country offices to put in place the right mix of regulatory and financial incentives, remove institutional and policy barriers, and create enabling environments that attract and drive public and private sector investment into sustainable development. In doing this, the Chemicals and Waste Hub assists partner countries to access, combine, and sequence resources from a range of funds, financial instruments, and mechanisms. In recent years, UNDP chemical and waste team received many requests from client countries to advise the policy and programs on circular economy. Internal and external demands for policy advice, knowledge sharing, and program development support on this direction is high.
UNDP chemical and waste hub is seeking a Senior Policy and Programme Advisor on circular economy. This position is expected to provide broad and high-level policy and programme support around circular economy by working closely with the Director of UNDP’s Chemical and Waste Hub and other teams. Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Lead Policy development
Lead policy research and development on the circular economy at global level to identify the main challenges and opportunities that UNDP could step into to promote structural transformation, introduce system changes and develop a global flagship programme towards circularity and sustainability. Advise and support the Hub Director in developing a strategy and work plan and identify priorities on circularity related work. Articulate UNDP‘s policy offer, vision and added value on circular economy in alignment with UNDP’s strategic plan and SDGs (in close coordination with other UNDP teams). Advise UNDP’s regional hubs in the development of their regional strategy, action plans and flagship programmes on circular economy. Facilitate internal coordination between teams of UNDP on circular economy. Identify and recommend indicators/metrics/methodologies/tools that could measure the progress of governments, economic sectors, cities as well as international organizations on achieving a circular economy.Lead Knowledge Management , knowledge sharing, and advocacy
Facilitate internal learning and knowledge exchange among UNDP country offices, hubs, and teams to enhance understanding of the circular economy concept including its principles, theoretical basis, systems thinking and best practices. Learning and knowledge exchange will also include the exploration and exchange of innovative business models with the private sector and the identification of enablers in the form of public policy and financing to allow the circular economy approach to succeed. Lead knowledge exchange to help advance UNDP’s chemical, waste and plastic portfolio related to circular economy (i.e. including through UNDP’s external and internal (Share Point) websites). Organize communication and outreach activities at global and regional events to present UNDP’s offer of high level systemic changes and integrated solutions, as well as sector, product and geographic specific roadmaps to support partners in advancing the implementation of circular economy approaches.Build and maintain strategic partnerships
Support engagement with global actors on circular economy, including multilateral and bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, philanthropic organizations, global and regional forums as well as partners in the global south (through UNDP’s regional hubs and country offices) to facilitate south-south cooperation. Establish strategic partnerships with the EU, its member states and institutions and support the exchange and dissemination of circular economy related policies, strategies, and best practices between the EU and other regions.Provide strategic leadership for effective programme planning and development
Engage with strategic partners to develop global and/or regional UNDP flagship programmes on circular economy, including programmes with the support of vertical funds (i.e., GEF and GCF). Lead or support the development of concept notes and framework documents to prepare a pipeline of circular economy projects through a portfolio approach, while coordinating with relevant UN agencies and UNDP offices. Support other UNDP offices/units in integrating circular economy approaches into their programmatic areas such as poverty eradication, climate change, nature protection, gender equality, and digitalization. Peer review circular economy related projects in the chemical and waste focal area developed by UNDP country offices, regional hubs, or other entities/agencies.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
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
Required skills:
Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Desired skills: Experience on policy research and development related to circular economy, chemicals and waste management. Experience in developing strategies, roadmaps, national plans with respect to circular economy, chemical and waste management. Experience and knowledge about challenges on circuarl economy in key value chains such as electronic, texitile, plastics, agriculture production, healthcare, and metals. Experience in working with UNDP offices and network. Experience and Knowledge of sustainable development concepts, principles and issues and the ability to apply it to strategic and/or practical situations; Experience in Policy formulation, project development Demonstrated experience in research, writing, analytical, and communications skills. Required language: Fluency in English is required. Working Knowledge of other UN official languages is desired. DisclaimerThis vacancy is archived.