Background and Organizational Context
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP/UNCDF: 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/UNCDF including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP/UNCDF 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 United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 46 least developed countries (LDCs). With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers ‘last mile’ finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.
UNCDF has been present in the Pacific since 2008. From 2008 to 2020, together with UNDP, UNCDF implemented the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP). The PFIP played a leading role in bringing about profound changes in the market, which resulted in almost 3Million pacific islanders accessing financial services. The success PFIP helped position UNCDF as the agency with a wide network and extensive knowledge on financial, digital financial and digital services and products, and today, under the umbrella of UNCDF’s “Leaving no one behind in the Digital Era Strategy” our programming agenda in the Pacific include:
- The Pacific Digital Economy Programme (PDEP) which is implemented with UNCTAD and UNDP, aims to support the development of inclusive digital economies in the Pacific addressing the impact of COVID-19 and at the same time leveraging its catalytic capacity.
- The Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme, implemented with UNDP, aims to improve the financial preparedness and resilience of Pacific islanders towards climate change and natural hazards
- The portfolio across the region identifies and promotes the deployment of blended finance instruments to lower the upfront capital and/or reduce the investment risk for the private sector. For example, UNCDF is supporting Coral Reef Preservation in Fiji though our partnership with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs and the issuance of the Blue Bond in Fiji, a project implemented in partnership with UNDP.
Primary countries of focus are Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Solomon Islands (SOI), Tonga, Vanuatu, Timor-Leste and Kiribati.
The Regional Technical Specialist- DFS Policy and Regulation will manage and provide strategic support to the Country Leads across the region for the PDEP initiatives promoting the development of a regulatory ecosystem and providing technical assistance linked to digital financial services, e-commerce and overall inclusive digital economies closely working with regional bodies.
The position will directly report to the Regional Programme Manager in Suva, Fiji.
Position Purpose
Summary of key functions:
1. Managing and providing direct technical assistance and capacity building support to policymakers and regulators in building a favorable environment for the Inclusive Digital economies in the Pacific
2. Supporting the programme to establish new partnerships and deliver on ongoing projects in partnership with regulators, government agencies and private sector partners focused on inclusive remittances, digital and financial literacy and consumer protection
3. Providing strategic support towards MEAL and Communications
4. Building and maintaining strategic partnership with donor partners and supporting resource mobilization
Key Duties and Accountabilities
1. Manage and provide direct technical assistance and capacity building support to policymakers and regulators in building a favorable policy and regulatory environment for Inclusive Digital economies in the Pacific.
- Support the Regional Programme Manager, Country Leads and participating UN organizations in the coordination and implementation of the Programme and its alignment with other UNCDF programmes in the region and beyond.
- Lead exploration of new initiatives partnering with public sector stakeholders promoting ecosystem development and innovation in digital financial services, digital payments, e-commerce and broader digital economy in the target countries.
- In close collaboration with country leads, develop and implement an evidence-based engagement strategy in line with policymaker and regulator priorities, ecosystem needs and UNCDF mandate.
- Actively provide Technical Assistance to policymakers and regulators in the target Pacific countries, including (but not limited to) policy analysis, global benchmarking, and regulatory impact assessments.
- Facilitate effective dialogue between government and private sector and consumer representatives through policy advocacy, workshops and other related means.
- Support policy Analysis and research of financial service laws and regulation relevant to digital financial services, to provide policy and regulatory recommendations to government counterparts.
- Support the engagement with private sector actors to understand digital finance, e-trade and remittance business models and to identify potential legal constraints.
- In consultation with the Regional Coordinator and Regional Manager, liaise with global and regional organisations such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, and others to align policy and regulatory efforts particularly on digital financial services.
- Support country leads develop its policy and regulatory advocacy country strategy to deliver more effective support to Policymakers and Regulators
- Provide support to Country Leads to enable them to deliver key results related to policy on time within scope and budget, with a high degree of partners satisfaction.
- Support the Regional Programme Manager to aggregate results from country leads and monitor progress of policy initiatives implemented across the region by reviewing and verifying quarterly reported results through field visits and other means.
- Support the Regional Coordinator and the Programme Manager in building and maintaining relations at the operational level with main donors, development partners and other stakeholders at country and regional levels, including but not limited to the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS), ADB, World Bank, IFC, IMF, as well as agencies from the UN system.
- Ensure alignment and collaboration with other UNCDF and UNDP initiatives in the region, such as the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme, as well as with other digital economy related initiatives from UNCDF, such as those in Africa and Asia.
2. Supporting the programme to establish new partnerships and deliver on ongoing projects in partnership with regulators, government agencies and private sector partners focused on inclusive remittances, digital and financial literacy and consumer protection
In consultation with the country leads, work closely with public and private sector partners and other stakeholders to develop a pipeline of projects to support the Programme to achieve its outcomes, with a focus on the Programme workstreams “Enabling Policy and Regulation” and “Empowered Customers”, such as:
– Support design and pilot of new and scaling of existing e-Government Initiatives that support the digital economy.
– Support design and implementation of digital and financial literacy initiatives and customer protection initiatives.
– Support design and implementation of regulatory reform and private sector led innovation focused in inclusive remittances.
- Support country leads in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders at country level such as government ministries and Central Banks
- Support the Country Leads in ensuring the integration and alignment of Programme outcomes with national programming.
- Support Country Leads in monitoring the progress of projects and initiatives to ensure that their scope, budget, and timelines are managed, risks are identified, and remedial steps are taken.
- Participate in project meetings (e.g. steering committees) and maintain regular contact with partners (e.g. field visits) to monitor the progress and quality of the implementation of projects and initiatives supported by the Programme.
Provide strategic support in the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL), and the communications of the Programme focusing on achievement at Policy and Regulatory dimensions
3. Support the MEAL Analyst in monitoring the progress and evaluation of the Programme, as well as support the Communications team in capturing, documentation/packaging and dissemination of lessons learned, impact stories etc. , particularly in relation to capture the results of the activities linked to policy and regulation reforms.
- Support the programme’s MEAL team with quality reviews of project reports and provide additional analysis and feedback to partners when required for activities linked to policy and regulation reforms.
- Oversee regional and multi-country diagnostics, surveys, studies etc. on various matters relating to the digital economy in Pacific region, particularly those related to policy and regulation reforms.
- Support learning, advocacy events and publications on building inclusive digital economies, such as through contributions to the Pacific edition of UNCTAD’s Digital Economy Report.
- Builds and supports partnerships through regular interaction with stakeholders and assists in the planning and execution of events in the region, particularly those involving regulators and public sector actors.
- Support the MEAL Analyst and the Regional Programme Manager in the programme reporting, e.g. for the Investment Committee for the results related to policy and regulation reforms.
- Support and guide the communications team to optimize visibility of the programme and ensure programme communications strategy is implemented as planned and the results on policy and regulation reforms are properly highlighted.
4. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with current and potential donor partners, and support resource mobilization to increase UNCDF footprint on inclusive digital economies
- Support the Regional Coordinator and the Regional Manager, to represent UNCDF with donors for programme related activities linked to policy and regulation reforms.
- Represent the Programme externally at conferences, meetings, consultations and outreach events, focusing on policy and regulation reforms.
- Develop strategies to mobilize additional resources based on programme results and new opportunities.
- Record and manage commitments, disbursements, and programming of fund contributions linked to policy and regulation reforms activities.
- Support country, regional and global teams to mobilize resources
- Provide corporate support for resource mobilization as needed.
- Provide advice to UNCDF senior management on technical issues and policy and regulation reforms, including inputs into corporate presentations and reports.
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core
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.
People Management Competencies
Motivate and Direct:
- Create and communicate a compelling vision and purpose.
- Align people and resources with organizational vision, strategy, objectives.
- Understand and proactively builds the team/organization culture.
Manage Performance and Ensure Accountability:
- Ensure regular conversations with people about work.
- Provide positive and constructive feedback.
- Discuss poor performance in a timely manner.
- Provide praise and recognition, as well as ensure accountability.
Build an Enabling Workplace:
- Create a working environment where people are engaged and want to do their best; empower and enables team members to perform and have a positive workplace experience.
- Promote honestly, openness, trust and psychological safety and create opportunities to innovate and learn.
- Recruit and promotes individuals based upon objective measures and meritocracy; acknowledge and utilize the talent of others Encourage collective action and integration.
Build Capability:
- Identify and develop talent in individuals, providing positive support to enable them to achieve their potential.
- Foster learning/development by giving feedback, guidance, & support; support career development of others.
- Have willingness and ability to delegate to help people learn, including from failure.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Direction and Strategy – Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNCD’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNCDF.
Business Management – Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritize 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 optimizing return on investment.
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.
Digital and Innovation – Digital ecosystem
- Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
Digital and Innovation – Digital Inclusion
- Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society.
General – Public Relations
- Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organization, its mandate, and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public
Keywords
- Policy, regulation, digital economy, partnerships.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, law, social sciences, or related discipline, or a bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant experience in addition to the seven years of minimum experience required for this role.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience managing projects or programmes is mandatory, out of which 3 years’ experience must be with digital economy related policy and regulatory issues is required.
- Proven experience working with policy makers and/or regulators on topics related to inclusive digital economies, open digital payments ecosystem and financial innovation, such as ministries of finance, trade and commerce, as well as central banks and others.
- Working knowledge of current developments on policy and regulation in topics related to digital economy is required, such as one or more of the following: Digital Financial Services, e-KYC, digital payments, e-commerce, branchless banking, mobile money, and digital and financial literacy.
- Experience working in or with Multilateral Institutions, NGOs, and with diverse public and private sector stakeholders in the digital economy is required.
- Demonstrated work experience in progressively managerial roles in Africa, Asia, Pacific or Caribbean.
- Experience working in LDC’s is considered an advantage.
- Experience with resource mobilization is considered a distinct advantage.
- Experience working with UNDP/UNCDF is considered an advantage.
Language requirements (Required
- Fluency in written and spoken English
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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