ABOUT THE COMPANY:
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
JOB SUMMARY
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.
The UN SDG Action Campaign is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General hosted by the Executive Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and based in Bonn, Germany. The Campaign is mandated to convene, campaign and catalyze by accelerating SDG action.
The Campaign’s Advocacy for Change approach aims at systemic transformation by rethinking, recalibrating, and reimagining economies and societies so that they serve people and the planet, while inspiring SDG action and sending a message of hope and possibilities.
The UN SDG Action Campaign facilitates convening spaces and supports the engagement of civil society organizations and other key stakeholders in relevant dialogues and processes, with a focus in the areas of financing for development, gender equality, climate action, sustainable food systems and justice and peace. Additionally, the Campaign lends its advocacy and communication support to key partners including through open-source advocacy campaigns, SDG media dialogues, SDG digital art exhibits to inspire action and engage new audiences and tap into humanity’s creative power for good. And the UN SDG Action Awards programme, the Campaign’s flagship initiative, serves to identify and celebrate exceptional changemakers and initiatives that are making a difference towards the 2030 Agenda.
Position Purpose:
Under the overall guidance of the UN SDG Action Campaign Global Director and direct supervision of the Deputy Director, the Project Management Specialist is responsible for managing the Campaign’s main initiatives, including overseeing the planning and implementation of the UN SDG Awards Programme. The incumbent will also provide support with the management of the Global Director’s office and with travel management and PO creations in Quantum.
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 in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Coordinate the project management of the main initiatives and events of the UN SDG Action Campaign
- Provide technical support, working in collaboration with the Deputy Director, in planning and effectively implementing project activities within the scope of approved budgets, workplans and other project documents and in alignment with the Campaign’s programmatic priorities and goals. Supervise and coordinate the work of relevant team members including consultants. Provide guidance and support in the identification and sourcing of technical expertise, including preparation of TORs and evaluation of experts.
- Provide timely and quality technical advice and guidance for the project implementation in line with UNDP’s rules and regulations, and UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures.
- Manage and monitor project financial resources; and analyze project progress to identify risks and other implementation problems. Ensure timely collection of data for reporting on project activities, outputs, and outcomes; and substantially contribute to the preparation of narrative and financial progress reports, including donor reports. Provide technical guidance on risk mitigation measures to address implementation problems.
- Coordinate and participate in quality control mechanisms, seeking to improve the technical quality of the project outputs, products, publications, and policy discussion papers and briefs.
- Coordinate planning meetings and working groups for relevant project workstreams as required.
- Identify gaps in the project planning and implementation and activate corrective measures in coordination with the Campaign leadership and relevant team members.
- Build and manage relationships with partners as necessary.
- Provide administrative support including managing travel for the Campaign team and monitoring and verifying credit card use and PO creation (buyer role)
Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UN SDG Action Campaign
- Organize training for the project personnel to enhance their capacities in the technical matters of the thematic area of the project.
- Identify, evaluate, synthesize, and document lessons learned and best practices directly linked to the project goals and activities. Develop knowledge sharing materials and respond to related queries.
- Contribute substantively to knowledge networks and communities of practice within the thematic area of the project.
- Develop and carry out a personal learning plan.
Provide executive support to the Global Director of the Campaign
- Coordinate the scheduling and management of events and speaking engagement of the Global Director in coordination with relevant team members;
- Manage the agenda of the Global Director, including maintaining the Director’s calendar, contacts with high-ranking visitors and partners, arrangement of appointments and meetings.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
Competencies
Core CoreBehaviouralCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)
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.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Management – Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s 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 optimizing return on investment
Business Direction and 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 Management – Monitoring
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
External Relations & Advocacy – Event planning and execution
- Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate
Procurement – Procurement Management
- The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source
Business Management – Working with Evidence and Data
- Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
Partnership Management – Relationship Management
- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advance university degree (master’s degree equivalent) in Political Affairs, Development Studies, Business Administration, International Relations or related fields 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:
- Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in providing project management support and coordinating advocacy initiatives on the Sustainable Development Goals is required.
- Prior experience in supporting the organization of large-scale public events for the United Nations is required.
- Experience in facilitating outreach to and communicating with different stakeholders is required.
- Experience with administrative and procurement procedures and processes is required.
- Familiarity with UNDP- Policies and Procedures Portal (POPP) and procurement rules and regulations is desired.
- Technical expertise in Salesforce and SharePoint is desired.
- Experience with collecting and curating data for advocacy initiatives on the Sustainable Development Goals is desirable.
Language requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.
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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