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. 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.
LAC is a middle-income region, but it is NOT a middle-class society. Countries in the region aspire, however, to become strong, cohesive societies where the middle class is a powerful engine of growth and yields healthier and constructive political dynamics. To do so, UNDP is working to support countries in the region to enhance productivity, inclusion and resilience, with effective governance as a pre-condition.
Under the guidance and supervision of the Panama Inclusive Growth Team Leader, the Social Protection and Inclusive Growth Specialist is responsible for contributing substantive advice and technical expertise, advocacy, relationship building and knowledge to the thematic area of Social Protection, including issues of social cohesion, socio-economic inclusion, vulnerabilities and inequalities, in the context of Sustainable Development and the SDGs. S/he acts in response to requests from country offices and in collaboration with the Inclusive Growth Team and other thematic clusters. Working to ensure the execution of quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services within their region and across other regions as well as alignment with the Strategic Plan, the Programme Specialist advances the mission of the UNDP and increases the credibility and recognition in this thematic area. Substantive leadership on these areas will be framed through a lens of productivity, inclusion; resilience; and effective governance, following UNDP’s narrative in the region.
Summary of Key Functions
S/he is responsible for performing and contributing to the following:
- Programme Support and Policy Advice;
- Policy Research and Development;
- Policy Positioning and Representation;
- Partnerships and Resource Mobilization;
- Knowledge Management.
Programme Support and Policy Advice
- Conduct relevant analysis and guidance and prepare initial drafts of technical policy advice and programme support documents that responds to country office needs;
- Support country offices in integrating policy advice in country programme frameworks and projects;
- Provide support to roll out and application of corporate guidance, in the specific thematic area, and related tools for the implementation of global policy standards, including testing and roll out of tools and methodologies;
- Apply integrated multi-disciplinary approaches, including through setting up, coordinating and engaging with Regional hub and GPN teams to meet policy and programming needs in line with corporate guidance and standards;
- Incorporate gender equality and human rights’-based approach in policy and programming work;
- Develop regional guidance, and rollout corporate guidance, in the specific thematic area, and related tools for the implementation of global policy standards, including testing and roll out of tools and methodologies;
- Develop policy initiatives for different contexts on key emerging policy agendas related to social protection floors, income support benefits and/or employment guarantees and services for the unemployed and working poor, in collaboration with policy teams in Headquarters bringing in perspectives and knowledge from Country Offices and the regions;
- Coordinate and conduct analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to distill relevant lessons from projects and programmes to inform policy formulation and guidance;
- Guide the policy teams in Country Offices in applying policy and tools to crisis contexts in collaboration with the Livelihoods and Economic Recovery team to make them relevant for specific situations, promoting innovative approaches; and
- Support the quality assurance of policy services and foster policy innovation in the specific thematic area of Social Protection by reviewing lessons learned and evaluations to enhance programme delivery.
Support Policy Research and Development
- In collaboration with the GPN teams in Headquarters, support the integration of technical advice into programmes and projects that responds to country office needs, including through the provision of capacity building and backstopping, making sure the gender and human rights dimensions are incorporated.
- Develop guidance in the specific thematic area, including testing and roll out of tools and methodologies in line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals;
- Develop policy initiatives for different contexts on key emerging policy agendas related to social protection floors, income support benefits and/or employment guarantees and services for the unemployed and working poor, and those in the informal economy, in collaboration with policy teams in the Regional Hub and the GPN bringing in perspectives and knowledge from Country Offices and the regions;
- Conduct analysis of disaggregated data, case evidence and research findings to distill relevant lessons from projects and programmes to support policy development and innovation;
- Review and assess policies in relevant thematic areas with the objective to identify gaps and opportunities for development of new policies and to guide the overall team priorities and workplans;
- Contribute to development of guidance in the specific thematic areas, and related tools for the implementation of global policy standards, including coordinating testing and rolling out of tools and methodologies;
- Take part in the process of analyzing, improving and adapting policies for different contexts on key emerging policy agendas based on policy initiatives designed;
- Provide context input to support the quality assurance of policy services and foster policy innovation in the specific thematic area to enhance programme delivery.
- Coordinate with GPN to apply social protection schemes in early recovery settings.
Policy Positioning and Representation
- Conduct research and analysis and draft materials to support mobilizing, fostering and strengthening strategic partnerships with UN entities and other relevant bodies;
- Draft and aid the development of briefings and speeches, as applicable, especially for country-specific meetings;
- Provide substantive and content input to contribute to mobilizing, fostering and strengthening strategic partnerships with UN entities and other relevant bodies and provide inputs to those partnerships in support of UNDP initiatives;
- Provide substantive input in the process of advocating the importance of the thematic area of Social Protection in various fora, including academia and civil society, with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms; and
- Support team’s engagement in UN interagency coordination in relevant policy areas by providing research insight in specific thematic area, especially when country focused.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
- Undertake research for partnership building and resource mobilization, developing first draft of papers, projects/programmes proposals, marketing materials, and participating in relevant country-focused external meetings, in line with the Bureau’s partnership and resource mobilization strategy;
- Perform analysis and research to support the implementation of regional partnership strategies with UN and external partner institutions, including governments, private sector, academia, NGOs, and CSOs; and
- Participate in relevant external meetings, including resource mobilization, partnership and advocacy activities with UN partners, permanent missions, and external stakeholders.
- Provide substantive inputs related to regional external partnerships in the area of work, including leading on UNDP’s role and contribution to ILO’s Social Protection Floor Initiative, Social Protection Inter-Agency Cooperation Board; and partner with WFP on Social Protection in emergency settings.
Knowledge Management
- Keep an up-to-date library of knowledge related to the thematic area at region-specific level and proactively share documents with team members and respond to their specific requests for information; and
- Contribute to the development and review of knowledge products in close coordination with HQ and Regional Hub teams by analyzing and sharing lessons learnt, best practices and programme evaluation results.
- Contribute to the Community of Practice on Poverty and Inequality by consolidating country cases, experiences, good practices of relevance to the area of leaving no one behind and social protection.
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
Data and Statistical Analysis
- Knowledge of data and statistics analysis and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Sustainable Development Goals
- Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Substantive Networking
- Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions, and think tanks.
Knowledge Management
- Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.
Collaboration & Partnerships
- Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP.
Management & Coordination
- Ability to manage and coordinate people. Believe in and promote diversity in the workplace and reshaping the workforce to meet need.
Education:
- A Master's degree, in development economics, sustainable development, or other relevant field, or extensive compensating experience in the area of social protection, policy development and social protection.
Experience:
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in either public sectors (national or multilateral, including UN), private (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing level of responsibility as a policy advisor
- Demonstrated experience in providing policy advice and developing tools and methodology to support countries in their implementation of the SDGs
- Prior experience of working in LAC in development and crisis contexts is highly desirable
Language Requirements:
- English and Spanish proficiency, French and/or Portuguese is considered an asset.
Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
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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