Location : Colombo, SRI LANKA
Application Deadline : 04-Oct-13
Type of Contract : FTA Local
Post Level : NO-C
Languages Required :
Duration of Initial Contract : One year
Background
Applicants who previously applied need not apply.
Organizational Context
Under the guidance of RC/RR and under the direct supervision of Country Director, the Policy Specialist advises Senior Management on macro economic policies and trends and relevant linkages to UNDP programmes. The Policy Specialist provides analysis for formulation of strategies and briefings to Senior Management. The Policy Specialist monitors economic policy developments and advises the Resident Representative and other members of the UNDP and its partners on policy issues. He/she contributes to UNDP’s policy dialogue with the Government and donors.
The Policy Specialist establishes a network of policy advisors for policy change and advocacy. He/she works in close collaboration with other members of the Policy team as well with the Management Support teams, Programme and Operations teams in the CO, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme.
Duties and Responsibilities
Functions / Key Results Expected
Summary of key functions:
- Advice to UNDP management on economic and development issues
- Facilitation of knowledge building on economic and development issues
- Building of strategic partnerships and implementation of resource mobilization strategy
- Advocacy and promotion of UNDP’s mandate and mission
- Compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, thorough research of the socio-economic and development issues in the country and production of relevant reports.
- Provision of top quality analysis and substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other strategic documents.
- Provision of substantive advice on possible areas for UNDP support and adjustment of on-going programmes to ensure that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and priorities.
- Analytical policy research to support evidence-based programming
- Participation in sub-regional, regional and inter-agency initiatives related to development issues, as required.
Facilitation of knowledge building on economic and development issues, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Facilitation of policy dialogue on economic issues with the Government, donors, civil society, private sector; contributions to development of policies as relevant.
- Provision of policy options, particularly from pro-poor perspectives, on macroeconomic and development issues to government and other development actors.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned.
- Assessment of the country’s macro-economic policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity, etc.
- Training and capacity building support for UNDP CO and project staff and Government officials on economic issues.
Participates in the building of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Research and analysis of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation.
- Production of periodic updates and briefs on country development situation to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ.
- Undertaking of selected studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into government/development partners processes.
Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Policy advocacy for the Millennium Development Goals, Human Development and pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
- Production of high quality research papers for UNDP presentation at workshops and conferences.
- Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
- Management of events and publications on economic issues, e.g. annual Human Development Report launches in the country, advocacy of the main Reports findings among relevant Governmental agencies, civil society organizations and donors.
Impact of Results
- The key results of the post strengthen UNDP’s contributions to the national policy dialogue and enhance the policy impact of UNDP programmes and projects. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design of programmes, and creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. The post increases visibility of UNDP in the discussion about economic policies and analysis.
Competencies
Competencies and Critical Success Factors
Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies- Creates effective advocacy strategies;
- Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.
Results-Based Programme Development and Management
Contributing to results through provision of information:
- Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
- Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
- Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
- Participates in the formulation of project proposals.
Building Strategic Partnerships:
Identifying and building partnerships
- Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
- Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
- Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:
Developing new approaches- Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
- Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
- Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
- Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.
Resource Mobilization:
Implementing resource mobilization strategies
- Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach;
- Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
- Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
Developing tools and mechanisms
- Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
- Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter
- Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
- Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
- Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
- Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.
Client Orientation:
- Contributing to positive outcomes for the client;
- Anticipates client needs;
- Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
- Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
- Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.
- Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
- Building support and political acumen;
- Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
- Building and promoting effective teams;
- Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
- Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
- Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
- Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
- Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.
Required Skills and Experience
- Master’s Degree in Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.
Experience:
- 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level;
- Relevant experience in research and policy-level analysis;
- Some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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