Advisor, SDG Integration – P5

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.

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 and programme 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 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. 

Enabling the network of expertise across the SDGs, within and beyond UNDP, the SDG Integrator is the team that influences, shapes, and activates platforms for intersectional collaboration for complex, multifaceted, and ‘frontier’ issues in sustainable development. As such, the SDG Integrator team is at the heart of UNDP’s Global Policy Network (GPN). 

The SDG Integrator Advisor at the Amman Regional Hub curates and coordinates SDG implementation support at the regional and Country Offices level. He/she ensures that UNDP’s offers/integration services are informed by the experiences on the ground and by the broader debates and analytical advances on SDG implementation. 

Specifically, the SDG integration Advisor supports in identifying and developing scalable programmatic solutions for complex, large scale development challenges at the regional and country levels. Her/his hands-on support focusses on and integrates complex requests/problems that relate to multiple thematic/SDG areas, defining their complexity, scalability, and entry points for system change. 

The SDG Integration Advisor works as connector with the wider GPN and external support and collaboration options at every stage of identified programme responses, including: 

• Coordinate multi-disciplinary engagement and collaboration across the SDGs and multiple teams towards new and scalable programme interventions as well as pipeline development at country- and regional levels for overall system impact.
• Deepen national interlinkages for systems impact by coordinating multi-disciplinary engagement and collaboration across the SDGs, including policy modeling and scenario analysis.
• Direct provision of technical advice on comprehensive SDG themes and/or processes to local, national and regional leaders/counterparts and external industry leaders, which include strategic development planning, collaborative design, research/data analysis, facilitating ‘sense making’ of development trends, sensitization/stakeholder engagement, etc.
• Facilitates joined-up planning and design work to advancing a coherent narrative and operational platform for integrated development approaches within the SDG Framework, as well as information management of UNDP’s integration offers and Inter-Agency investments in collaborative SDG engagement.
• Leads on learning and capacity development for integrated SDG engagement among regional and country level programme and policy teams.

 

Position Purpose

The SDG Integration Advisor is based in the Amman Regional Hub and reports to the Global BPPS SDG Integrator Team Leader in New York and the Regional Hub Manager. 

The SDG Integrator Advisor at the Amman Regional Hub curates and coordinates SDG implementation support at the regional and Country Offices level. He/she ensures that UNDP’s offers/integration services are informed by the experiences on the ground and by the broader debates and analytical advances on SDG implementation. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Facilitation of coordination and integration services of the SDG Integrator Team within the region:

• Serve as the front-line, technical expert for UNDP’s SDG integration offer contextualized for the region while being mindful of the different country contexts within the region.
• Ensure effective response to complex, multi-sectoral and integrated development solutions, drive demand and define with Country Offices the scope and provision of technical support; and quality assure the preparation and delivery of integrated SDG advisory.
• Work with the SDG Integrator Team Leader, and UNDP’s wider GPN, to identify valuable expertise from across the GPN’s capacity network / roster and to coordinate the release and deployment of experts within SDG integration engagements.
• Maintain high-quality collaborative networks with UNDP and non-UNDP experts across knowledge domains through regular and episodic substantive work, as required in the delivery of integrated SDG services.

Provision of high-level technical advice on comprehensive SDG themes and/or processes to national and regional leaders/counterparts and external industry leaders in the region:

• Provide technical expertise on SDG mainstreaming, with skills in policy and economic modeling as well as strategic foresight in support of technical advice on planning, monitoring, campaigning, and coordination with counterparts in the region, ranging from national governments, local city leaders, private sector leaders, and civil society/NGO actors, etc.
• Deliver UNDP’s SDG integration services in collaboration with technical experts from across UNDP’s network of capacity and in-house resources across knowledge domains to demonstrate intersectional policy advice and integration capabilities.
• Contribute to improving technical SDG data capabilities, identifying alternative data sources when data not available.
• Strategically engage with and work towards integrating partners and actors to align their contributions with national development priorities, including mobilizing and fostering external partnerships behind strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate technical policy modeling and SDG interlinkage analysis to identify SDG Acceleration roadmaps.
• Support the RBAS Regional Programme in advancing regional integrated portfolios in close collaboration with other teams within the Hub.

Contribution to content development and curation of tools and resources to build capacity around integrated SDG engagement: 

• Provide technical expertise in identifying tools, developing methodologies and producing knowledge to facilitate and advance innovation in driving and accelerating SDG achievement.
• Provide technical expertise on the content development for regional/CO knowledge products through the analysis of data, case evidence, and research findings in accordance with corporate standards.
• Design and deliver training on programming tools including by developing training packs for COs to facilitate innovation learning, foster and encourage policy innovation and continuous improvement to enhance programme delivery in support of SDG advancement.

Knowledge management and community of practice networking:

• Provide technical leadership in curating and codifying sector-specific / thematic expertise across UNDP’s knowledge domains, in the context of UNDP’s knowledge repository on integrated solutions for the SDGs.
• Present and showcase UNDP knowledge on integrated SDG solutions and engagement processes at high-level fora and ensure that UNDP’s SDG integration capability is contextualized in relevant and impactful ways in multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral arenas.
• Facilitate the capacity development of UNDP staff in application of tools and resources from across UNDP’s integration services offer.
• Proactively identify knowledge areas with demonstrated impact to advance development solutions to complex systems and collaborate with technical actors to develop inter-linked knowledge resources and network engagement.

Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement for effective institutional positioning of UNDP’s SDG integration offer in the region:

• Present the work of UNDP in leading SDG Integration efforts in conferences and meetings on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs organized by different stakeholders, globally and regionally.
• Guide the continuous refinement of UNDP’s roadmap and engage proactively with funding partners to influence the global discourse on the 2030 Agenda by feeding the outcomes of UNDP work into other UN and non-UN processes.
• Manage the building of strategic alliances and high impact partnerships, with UN partners, key think tanks and non-governmental organizations.

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: 

• SDGs and Crisis Specialist.

 

Competencies

Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here

Core
Achieve Results: 

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively: 

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously: 

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility: 

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with Determination: 

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner: 

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: 

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

 

Cross-Functional
2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness – SDG Integration  

• Role of science, technology, innovation for SDGs
• South-South and Triangular Cooperation knowledge sharing
• Fostering bilateral and regional South-South partnerships for SDG implementation

External Relations and Advocacy: Partnership Management       

• Ability to 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.

Business Direction and Strategy: System Thinking            

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within and overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management: Portfolio Management 

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organizations programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (A Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in Development Economics, Sustainable Development, International Development, or other relevant field, is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years (with master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in either public (national or multilateral, including UN) or private sectors (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing level of responsibility in the relevant technical area is required.
• Experience in leading or supporting national development planning with demonstrated technical skills in economic and policy modeling, data analysis and strategic foresight /futures to contribute effectively to national SDG acceleration is required.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience in data management, policy and economic modeling, incisive economic analysis, policy advice and ability to utilize, quality assure and implement SDG tools and methods to support countries in their implementation of the SDGs is desired.
• Proven leadership experience in the UN System related to development coordination is desired.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience in providing economic and policy advice and developing tools, complex models, and data informed methodology to support countries in their implementation of the SDGs is desired.
• Excellent negotiating and communication skills and ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, academic, civil society, business community leaders) is desired.
• Proven track record of management and resource mobilization skills is desired.
• Experience working in global virtual teams is desired.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic and French is considered an asset.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 

Disclaimer

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.

 

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

 

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