This position is open to Sri Lanka Nationals Only
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka is a key partner in driving sustainable development, tackling economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through its Country Programme (2023–2027), UNDP focuses on strategic, integrated solutions that align with national priorities and strengthen resilience in a changing socio-economic landscape. The country office enhances its advisory and programmatic functions by providing technical expertise, policy support, and strong implementation oversight. By promoting inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, and governance reforms, UNDP collaborates with government, civil society, and the private sector to develop scalable, localized solutions. With a focus on innovation, strategic partnerships, and efficient programme management, UNDP Sri Lanka ensures impactful, sustainable development, helping the country progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
The strategic focus of the Strategic Engagement, Digital and Innovation Team (SEDIT) of the UNDP centres around partnerships, communications and utilizing core service functions towards resource mobilization, a vital aspect of driving impactful initiatives forward. The team directs its efforts towards building partnerships, both in funding and non-funding realms, with a diverse array of collaborators.
Guided by the comprehensive framework outlined in the Partnerships for Communications Strategy and Action Plan (PCAP) and Partner Engagement Plans (PEPs), the team orchestrates targeted actions to realize its objectives. Under the custodianship of the Strategic Engagement, Digital and Innovation team communications, digital and innovation are paramount priorities. Communication facilitates knowledge sharing, promotes best practices, and fosters dialogue among partners enriching collaborative efforts and maximizing collective impact.
The digital and innovation initiative represents a transformative approach to addressing development challenges in an increasingly interconnected world. At its core, this initiative harnesses the power of digital technologies and innovative solutions to drive positive change, enhance efficiency, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable development.
SEDIT consists of several central service functions which cut across the UNDP CO, UN agencies, the Government and other stakeholders, and facilitate a whole-of-society and whole-of-Government approach:
Digital Innovation Communications Partnerships/resource mobilization coordinationSEDIT also house UNDP’s innovation facility, Citra Innovation Lab, a joint initiative between the Prime Minister’s Office and UNDP Sri Lanka.
Position Purpose:
The SEDIT Team Leader will work closely with the Resident Representative to advance UNDP’s objectives, providing strategic leadership and enhancing the organization’s external engagement to effectively address Sri Lanka’s development challenges.
The Team Leader is therefore entrusted with the following
Leadership of the engagement and partnerships effort of the CO, with a focus on strategic engagement, pipeline development while articulating UNDP’s value proposition and varied service offer in operational and partnership engagement terms Technical leadership in supporting contract negotiations, new proposal development and external pitches, and proposals for UNDP’s value added in leveraging domestic resources for development (incl. direct support with Government Cost Sharing as well as innovative financing solutions) Leveraging in-house as well as external resource people in the area of communications and development results analytics to ensure UNDP’s offers are well packaged, tailored, and visible by the right audiences Lead the CO digital and innovation agenda, including overall supervision of the Citra Innovation LabUnder the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Team Leader will lead externally focused strategic resource mobilization efforts leveraging the service functions the incumbent oversee and the cross-team engagement including the SDG Action Hub.
The incumbent promotes client-oriented approach while having strong networking savvy and political acumen performing her/his functions in collaboration with programme team leaders, CO and regional office to continuously reflect on how UNDP engages with its partners and stakeholders in order to truly fulfil UNDP’s strategic position and value proposition.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Key Duties and Accountabilities
1.) Lead strategic engagement and resource mobilization efforts
Design and implement, with senior management, RBAP and the Integrated Management Team, plan for pipeline development and resource mobilization. Lead external engagement effort with senior government representatives, government agencies, development partners and non-traditional development actors. Technical leadership in supporting contract negotiations, business development pitches, and proposals for UNDP’s value added in leveraging domestic resources for development (incl. direct support with Government Cost Sharing as well as innovative financing solutions).2.) Lead partnership engagement
Leadership of the engagement and partnerships effort of the CO, with a focus on strategic pipeline development. Articulating UNDP’s value proposition and varied service offer in operational and partnership engagement terms. Leveraging in-house as well as external resource people in the area of communications and development results analytics to ensure UNDP’s offers are well packaged, tailored, and visible by the right audiences Design terms of negotiations and UNDP costing requirements accessible and attractive to prospective clients. Lead the communication of partnership modalities that create an amplification effect for UNDP and development partners. Articulate UNDPs value proposition and varied service offer in operational and partnership engagement terms Develop campaigns and tailored client outreach efforts including direct support with government cost sharing and innovative financial solutions Leverage UNDP’s network of communications and partnership development expertise as well as innovative external approaches to develop the analytics and messaging appropriate to, and visible by, the desired client.3.) Lead digital and innovation initiatives
Lead CO’s digital and innovation initiatives, including the overall supervision of the Citra Social Innovation Lab. Leverage the digital interventions across the office to position UNDP and guide the digital engagement Lead UNDPs offer on Digital, including Digital Public Infrastructure4.) Ensure Team Collaboration
Collaborating with programme teams and senior management, ensuring strategic planning, work planning and delivery remains relevant to emerging trends and needs of new business partners. Guide programme and project teams in use of new partnership engagement approaches and resource awareness in their client engagements. Leverage the SDG Action Hub for identifying, developing and advancing the pipeline and regularly engage and collaborate with UN agencies for joint programming, resource mobilization and joint strategic work.5.) Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and management
Support trainings for the CO staff on programme and shares knowledge on pipeline development strategies Conduct needs assessment on budget execution initiatives in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:
Lead the Strategic Engagement, Digital and Innovation Team Overall supervision of any projects anchored under SEDIT Manage and provide overall supervision of the Citra Innovation LabCore Competencies
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 inclusivityUNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
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 Development UNDP Representation-Effectively represent and advocate for UNDP, its values, mission, work, and positions with various constituencies/audiences, shares UNDP knowledge and activities.
Business Management Partnerships Management-Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Communications- Brand & quality management -Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality.
Digital Digital ecosystems-Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
Digital Digital transformation design-Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organisations.
Business Management-Portfolio Management
Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio managementQUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Policy, Digital and Innovation, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related area is required.OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
Minimum of 5 years (with Master’s Degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in, resource mobilization, development cooperation, innovation and digital programmes and partnerships is required. Experience in working directly with government, especially with senior representatives is a distinct advantage. Experience in advancing communications for partnership development is an asset. Experience in leading innovation and digital programmes is an advantage. Experience at the national or international level in partnership development and resource mobilization working with or for UN entities, international development organizations, bilateral development agencies and/or international NGOs is an advantage. Experience with multi-stakeholder coordination in the context of development cooperation or related area is an asset. Extensive experience in supervising and leading diverse teams is an advantage.Language Requirements:
Fluency in English and either Sinhala or Tamil 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.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
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.
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