Job Identification : 11071

Locations : New Delhi, India

Posting Date : 05/31/2023, 05:42 AM

Apply Before : 06/21/2023, 06:29 PM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NB4

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : SDG Finance

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific

Contract Duration : 1 Year

Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 4 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English and Hindi

Vacancy Timeline

3 Weeks

Job Description

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 has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

Our new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

•  Strong, accountable, and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs
•  Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized
•  Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems, and resilient development for reduced vulnerability

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

UNDP has been a long-standing supporter of India’s South South Cooperation. The Ministry of External Affairs and UNDP signed a Strategic Partnership Framework Agreement (PFA) in March 2012, with cabinet’s approval, with a view to strengthen the role of SSC in leveraging India’s development experience, knowledge, expertise, including via UNDP’s global development network. The PFA is positioned to strengthen strategic partnerships with the global south and draws on India’s recognized role as a global leader, an economic power, and a major contributor to international development cooperation and public good. The key priorities in the PFA include a) support to south-south cooperation; b) support to African countries; c) strengthening engagement on the multilateral development agenda.

Early engagements under the PFA included supporting the Ministry of Human Resources Development for establishing the International Centre for Human Development (IC4HD) in August 2012, and an MOU with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to facilitate South-South learning on election management and administration. More recently, key SSC priorities supported by UNDP include sharing India’s experience on digital health systems, in particular the eVin and CoWIN platforms, and India’s international and multilateral efforts to tackle climate emergency through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). UNDP has also supported the Government of India in sharing its strong experience of SDGs localization internationally and is engaged in supporting the L.I.F.E (Lifestyles for Environment) Initiative for behavioural change. Given the work on digital health and the increasing prominence of Digital Public Goods and Digital Public Infrastructure, these new avenues are also likely to form part of the remit for this role in the context of SSC. Recent discussions between MEA and UNDP have agree that further cooperation for SSC can be explored under the remit of the PFA.

Duties and Responsibilities

Candidate will be expected to drive the work of the UNDP India country office around South South Cooperation. The role also includes coordination and close working relationships with other UNDP teams (state teams and thematic units), Government Stakeholders and other partners; strategizing on UNDP offers on SSC; preparing well researched proposals and pitches; implementation support in coordination with partners.

Provide analysis and advice to UNDP Country Office management on the India’s support to South South Cooperation.

•  Analyze political, social, and economic trends that drive India policy in South South Cooperation and advise senior management on their implications.
•  Advise senior management on UNDP’s strategy and policy support related to India’s global and regional engagement in South-South Cooperation, including through multilateral and global governance platforms.
•  Identify entry points for UNDP support to India’s international SSC priorities.
•  Priority focus in 2023 will be on support the SSC priorities under India’s presidency of the G20.

Support partnership liaison and coordination in policy and strategy development around South South Cooperation

•  Advocate for and represent UNDP at external meetings and through external communications on SSC, building relationships with key government and other stakeholders.
•  Negotiate corporate agreements between UNDP and India that strengthen cooperation, framed under the 2012 Strategic Partnership Framework agreement.
•  Facilitate official meetings with India counterparts for visits of the UNDP senior leadership and policy experts, particularly for meetings related issues to the India’s core SSC priorities.
•  Liaise with key government counterparts to ensure effective partnership, with special attention to MOEA, MoF and NITI Aayog.
•  Liaise with UNDP internal partners, including UNDP Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), Regional Bureaus, UNDP country offices and UNDP policy centers, and the UN Office for South South Cooperation.

Support program management, coordination, and engagement by country office teams in India’s South South Cooperation.

•  Lead and coordinate partnerships on SSC with UNDP India’s country programme portfolios, with the aim of creating tangible results and development impact. Flagship projects include but are not limited to:
•  The SDGs localisation programme, especially as it relates to India’s international engagement on the SDGs.
•  The CoWIN programme under the Health Systems Strengthening portfolio, which has been offered as a global public good.
•  Digital Public Goods/ Digital Public Infrastructure and other innovations supported by the UNDP India Acceleration Lab.
•  India’s leading initiatives in international development and SSC, including the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
•  Support securing necessary additional human and financial resource capacities for SSC, including consultant recruitment, supervise and coordinate the work of the team members and experts involved.

Oversee Knowledge Management for UNDP CO engagement in support to India’s South South Cooperation.

•  Generate and oversee policy enhancing knowledge products on SSC for external and internal purpose, for national and international audiences.
•  Develop and carry out a personal learning plan to strengthen leadership and management skills.
•  Liaise with the UN Office for South South Cooperation, UNDP’s Global Practice Network, and other stakeholders to disseminate knowledge projects, innovations, and lessons from India’s SSC.
•  Engage in global knowledge networks on SSC, to inform UNDP India’s strategy and engagement in SSC.

Any other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor/ manager.

Competencies

Core Competencies

•  Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
•  Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
•  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
•  Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
•  Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
•  Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
•  Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: External Relations & Advocacy

•  Partnership management: Strategic Engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

•  SDG Integration: Fostering bilateral and regional South-South partnerships for SDG implementation. South-South and Triangular Cooperation knowledge sharing.

Business Management

•  Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
•  Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Bachelor’s Degree in development/ economics/ social science/ international relations / public policy/ data science or related fields [applicants with advanced/ Master’s degrees in above fields preferred.

Experience:

•  Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience working in international development, including engaging with Government counterparts with bachelor’s degree, 2 years required with Master degree
•  Experience of supporting South South Cooperation a distinct requirement.
•  For those with Master’s degrees/ advanced degrees a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience.
•  Experience in working with development partners and governments in relation to sustainable development, SDGs, and south south cooperation;
•  Good inter-personal and team-building skills;
•  Has excellent oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to mediate inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicts;
•  Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
•  Strong analytical skills;
•  Solid networking capacity;
•  Solid skill in providing project advisory services, monitoring and evaluation;
•  Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders;
•  Demonstrated ability to work effectively under minimal supervision;
•  Good skills in organization and management;
•  Excellent skill in using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
•  Ability to make briefs and concept notes in short turnaround times.
•  Desired areas of specialization: sustainable development, digital (including digital transformation, digital public infrastructure) and/ or south south cooperation;
•  Experience of working with the government, IFIs/ MDBs, development partners, private sector, universities on SDGs, digital and SSC will be an advantage.
•  Experience in project management would be desirable.
•  Fluency in written and spoken English is an absolute necessity.
•  Working Knowledge in written and spoken Hindi is required.

Language Requirement:

•  Fluency in written and spoken English is an absolute necessity.
•  Working Knowledge in written and spoken Hindi is required.

Remuneration starting at INR 18,82,160 / INR 156,846 as per the scale depending on qualifications and experience. The remuneration is excluding 8.33% pension amount paid over and above the salary.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

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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