Job: ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR AND DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND ADVOCACY (BERA)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Application Deadline :

13-Dec-13

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Post Level :

ASG

Languages Required :

English

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the global development network of the United Nations, connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries, supporting countries to reach their own development objectives and internationally agreed development goals. Under the Strategic Plan, 2014-17, UNDP will work to help countries achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion through a focus on: growth and development which is inclusive and sustainable; stronger systems of democratic governance; strengthening institutions to deliver basic services; reducing gender inequality and promoting women's empowerment; reducing the likelihood of conflict and lowering the risk of natural disasters; early recovery and a return to development pathways in post conflict and post disaster settings; and prioritising poverty, inequality and exclusion in development debates and action.

BERA is responsible for UNDP's external relations and advocacy functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. These relationships encompass a wide range and number of key constituencies and development partners, especially those related to resource mobilization and donor relations, intergovernmental affairs with member states, programme countries, existing and prospective donor countries/emerging economies, multilateral institutions such as the IFIs, the European Commission, civil society, the private sector, foundations, academia and think tanks, the wider UN system, and various UN inter-governmental bodies. BERA also leads the Organisation's external communications functions, establishing UNDP branding and interfacing with global, regional and national media. The Bureau coordinates and acts as a facilitator of information exchange, knowledge management, network building and dissemination of best practices throughout the UNDP in resource mobilization, intergovernmental and inter-agency affairs, and external communications. In addition to the headquarters team, the Director oversees 5 Representation Offices in major donor capitals.

As well as leading the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, the Bureau Director is a member of UNDP's corporate leadership group, and as such, serves as a role model for corporate values, behaviors and substantive skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Bureau Director reports to the Administrator/Associate Administrator. She/He is a member of UNDP's Executive Group and contributes to shaping and monitoring overall corporate strategic directions. She/He directs and manages the overall work of the Bureau to contribute to the achievement of organizational priorities and achieve identified outcomes.

The scope and principal functions of the position include:

• Participates in UNDP's highest corporate level decision making body, the Executive Group, helping to identify and implement strategic directions for the organization as a whole;
• Manages the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, including Representation Offices currently in Copenhagen, Brussels, Geneva, Washington and Tokyo, and works collaboratively and collegiately across UNDP to achieve outcomes and results in line with UNDP's Strategic Plan and Annual Business Plan;
• Develops, advises on and regularly updates UNDP's corporate resource mobilization strategy and coordinates UNDP's core and non-core resource mobilization efforts across Bureaux;
• Advises the Administrator on UN Inter-Agency Affairs, and manages and co-ordinates UNDP's activities and initiatives to support UN Reform, including participating in the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) ASG Advisory Group;
• Manages and coordinates UNDP engagement in other inter-agency affairs and fora, representation at interagency meetings and UN inter-governmental fora, including the UN General Assembly (GA), the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and related bodies;
• Coordinates and updates organization-wide partnership strategy development, maintains, tracks and advises on key organisational partnerships, including in relation to:
• The wider UN system;
• The EU, the World Bank and relevant multilateral and international organizations;
• OECD/DAC, including co-chairing the Global Partnership Steering Committee with OECD;
• Strategic partnerships with emerging economies;
• Other groups including civil society, the private sector, foundations and think tanks; and
• Developing new, innovative partnerships.
• Supports the Administrator in the MDG-F Steering Committee which is co-chaired by UNDP and Spain, and leads UNDP's participation in the Technical Steering Committee;
• Leads and supports a professional external communications function for the whole organization, develops and coordinates UNDP's medium term and annual external communications and branding strategy, and supports specific Bureaux communications and communication products;
• Represents UNDP in other international fora as appropriate;
• Leads by example and encourages excellence, professionalism, competence, integrity and ethics and values enshrined in the UN Charter;
• Guides, mentors and develops a team of senior managers in New York and Representation Offices;
• Oversees and is responsible for Bureau's operations in financial, human resources, procurement and general administration.
• Impact of Results
  The results of the work of the Bureau Director greatly impacts on the standing and reputation of UNDP. The Bureau Director represents UNDP in international and national fora, liaises and interacts on behalf of UNDP with external clients and partners including government, civil society as well as other international organizations, and shapes UNDP's external communications focus and engagement.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: Strategic Thinking

• Demonstrated ability to identify high level strategic issues, opportunities and risks, develop organizational strategies to meet objectives, and generate and communicate organizational direction and expected outcomes to all stakeholders.

Leadership

• Proven track record of excellent management, leadership and representation skills;
• Demonstrated effectiveness in establishing productive relationships and networks to achieve outcomes;
• Political acumen;
• Strong people management skills;
• Demonstrated competence for incorporating gender perspectives;
• Demonstrated personal drive and commitment to organizational objectives;
• Proven experience in leading change.

Achieves Results

• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction;
• Demonstrated excellence in successful management of a complex portfolio of responsibilities including translating goals into practical implementation strategies, managing risk and supporting innovation;
• Proven ability to build organizational capability and responsiveness to achieve outcomes;
• Mature judgment and initiative.

Communication

• Influential and confident oral and written communication skills;
• Proven ability to negotiate persuasively and achieve objectives;
• Proven ability to foster open communication and establish and maintain effective inter-personal relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Professionalism

• Ability to work collaboratively and collegiately with internal and external stakeholders to achieve corporate goals;
• Capacity to anticipate and address difficult issues;
• Demonstrated commitment to acting ethically and with integrity and commitment to the values enshrined in the UN Charter.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrated commitment to acting ethically and with integrity and commitment to the values enshrined in the UN Charter;
• 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;
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree in development-related or other relevant disciplines, such as Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy or Social Sciences.

Experience:

• At least fifteen years of progressively responsible, substantive experience and results achievement at the international level;
• Experience in development of corporate strategies affecting the provision of advisory services, interagency and international co-operations, negotiation of partnerships, mobilization of resources, management of programmes, and strategic communications ideally in development related areas with national, regional, international entities.

Language requirement:

• Proficiency in English is required, and another UN Language is desireable.

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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.

More Info and Application