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 work is carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, and 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 Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. UNDP’s Crisis Bureau’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery (DRT) for Building Resilience Team provides integrated policy and programme support on disaster risk reduction and recovery in the context of UNDP’s broader approach to resilience building. The Team specifically fosters the integration of risk reduction as a key element in sustainable development and recovery at national, sub-national and sectoral level. Whilst working in close collaboration with related fields such as climate change, governance, conflict prevention and livelihoods, the Team focuses its support on the following thematic areas:
- Disaster and Climate Resilience
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Governance
- Risk Information, Early Warning and Preparedness
- Recovery Preparedness, Assessments and Implementation
- Urban and Community Risk Management and Resilience
In this context, the DRT specifically fosters the risk informed development as a key element in sustainable development and recovery at national, sub-national and sectoral level from systemic and multidimensional risks and on integrated approaches with pillars of climate action such as mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage. The team leads UNDP’s global practice in this field and provides high quality policy advice and programmatic support to UNDP Regional Hubs in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of disaster/climate risk reduction and recovery programmes. In line with the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement, the DRT works with partners to strengthen disaster and climate risk governance capacities; foster greater coherence of disaster risk reduction and the three pillars of climate action efforts; provide access to risk information, preparedness and early warning systems; strengthen recovery preparedness, assessments and implementation; and the resilience of urban and rural communities. The team collaborates closely with related UNDP practices such as nature, climate change and environment, governance, conflict prevention, health, human mobility, gender, inclusive growth and poverty eradication, towards a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach to resilience building.
Position Purpose:
The Programme Specialist, Resilience and Risk Informed Development is responsible for contributing substantive policy and programme advisory services to the Country Offices globally and applying the products and tools relevant to the thematic area of Risk Informed Development. S/he acts in response to requests from country offices and in collaboration with the integration and coordination team. 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, s/he advances the mission of UNDP and increases the credibility and recognition in this thematic area. 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
Duties and Responsibilities
Programme Support and Policy Advice:
- Provides technical support and advisory services to UNDP Country and Regional Offices in designing and implementing risk informed development activities both internally and externally of UNDP.
- Provides advice and guidance UNDP Country Offices, on issues related to the strengthening of risk governance, risk management that fosters actions that anticipate and avoid creation of future risks, integrating risk management into development strategies and plans and promote portfolio approaches for building resilience.
- Execute programme initiatives to support key results, outcomes, and outputs of the UNDP Strategic Plan and RBAP’s Regional Programme Document;
- Support country offices in developing and implementing strategic programmes, and projects such as those that strengthens capacities in risk governance, planning and coordination in GPN portfolio approaches that foster integrated programming.
- Coordinate the production of relevant analysis and guidance for programme support that responds to country office needs;
- Apply multi-disciplinary approaches, including through setting up, coordinating, and engaging with integrated GPN Teams to deliver advisory services and programming needs in line with emerging client needs and corporate standards, as well as maintaining and developing networks of experts in UNDP’s areas of work;
- Develop and implement solutions in crisis and conflict situations in response to requests coordinated by CB and ensure proper use of policy and tools in this context;
- Incorporate gender equality and human rights’-based approach in policy and programming work; and
- Provide relevant contribution to UNDP SURGE.
Support Policy Development:
- Support policy development and innovation through consolidation of relevant lessons from projects and programmes.
- Identify gaps and opportunities for development of new policies and guide the overall team priorities and workplans.
- Support in identifying risk financing solutions including enhancing application of integrated national financing frameworks, budget and expenditure analysis, public and private sector resource mobilization and risk informing investments.
- Advise and provide technical support on people centered and stakeholder driven policy making and implementation.
- Provide Quality Assurance to ensure alignment with global development policies, norms and standards.
- Ensure cross-practice approach and cross-regional collaboration.
- Create methods for reviewing policy services in the thematic area and assess policy success, as well as communicate these methods to other country offices and regions; and
- Conceptualize and recommend policy innovations in the thematic area to improve programme delivery.
Policy Positioning and Representation:
- Under the guidance of the team leader, mobilize, foster and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN entities and other relevant bodies at the regional level, and provide inputs to those partnerships in support of UNDP initiatives;
- Prepare briefing notes and speeches;
- Advocate the importance of the thematic area in various fora at the regional level, including academia and civil society, with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms, and to mobilize support for international frameworks; and
- Support Team Leaders in engagement in UN interagency coordination in relevant policy areas by organizing and participating in regional meetings.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:
- In collaboration with BERA, support the Team Leader to engage with regional partners and develop/implement resource mobilization plan under corporate guidelines, including to fulfill corporate and donor reporting, advocacy and information-sharing requirements;
- Provide substantive inputs related to regional external partnerships in the area of work; and
- Support team leader in fostering strategic partnerships with UN and external regional partner institutions, regional development banks, regional cooperation bodies, Governments, private sector, academia, NGOs, and CSOs at regional and local level.
- Develop and maintain inter-institutional partnerships for disaster and climate risk assessments, damage and loss accounting systems; provide leadership to collaborative efforts on developing international standards; supports advocacy efforts for effective application of climate and disaster risk assessments in country.
- Knowledge Management:
Identifies and documents UNDP’s best practices and lessons learned in risk assessment; develops guidelines and tools for planning risk assessment, as well as relevant training materials; enhances the capacity of UNDP country office’s staff and UN country team for planning, implementing, and coordinating disaster and climate risk assessment;
- Coordinate team contributions and support to corporate KM activities, at region-specific level to help influence/advance policy dialogue in the thematic area in collaboration with policy teams at HQ and in Regional Hubs;
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; and
- Coordinate and perform knowledge extraction, analysis, documentation, codification of results/lessons learned in the specific thematic area and verify that knowledge sharing and content management is in line with guidelines and performed using corporate tools.
- Support the development of integrated capacity building programmes, which promote the mainstreaming of risk reduction into the national development agendas based on evidence of risk information
Competencies
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 & Technical:
Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery – Disaster Recovery Policy, Planning and Programming:
- Knowledge of process and experience of supporting national governments to achieve efficiency in planning, implementing and monitoring recovery
- Ability to advice, guide and design governments and UNDP country offices to develop comprehensive recovery programmes to assist recovery preparedness and post disaster recovery to build back better and sustainably
Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery – Post Disaster Needs Assessment and Recovery Planning:
- Ability to lead UNDP support to national governments, UN system, multilateral agencies in conducting joint assessments and developing recovery plans
Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery -Disaster Risk Reduction:
- Knowledge of disaster risk reduction, climate change key concepts, tools and methodologies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Partnership Management – Multi-stakeholder Engagement:
- Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive partnerships
Knowledge – Knowledge Generation:
- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge and guidance, relevant for context or responsive to a shared need.
Knowledge – Knowledge Facilitation:
- Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, internally and externally.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (i.e Master’s or equivalent) in economics, international affairs, governance, social/natural sciences, engineering or related disciplines OR a first-level university degree (i.e. Bachelor’s or equivalent) plus two additional years of relevant work experience.
Experience:
- 5 years of relevant professional work experience with (Master’s degree) providing policy advice and programme support in the general area of Recovery/Crisis Response in different development contexts in Asia Pacific Region.
- Candidates in possession of only a relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) require 7 years of relevant professional work experience are required to be eligible.
- 3 Experience working in developing country settings in the Asia Pacific region is required and experience in crisis contexts is an asset.
Language:
Fluency in English is required.
Fluency in any other UN language is highly desirable.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
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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