Policy Officer (NPSA9) – UNDP India

Apply Before 14th Jan 2023, 11:59 PM

UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from democratic governance to poverty eradication, to sustainable energy and environmental management. UNDP’s programmes are aligned with national priorities and are reviewed and adjusted annually.

Grade NB4
Vacancy Type National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area Effectiveness
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 language of the duty station
Vacancy Timeline 1 Week
Mobility required/no mobility no mobility required

Job Description
Background

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.

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.

UNDP India’s current Country Programme, 2018-2022, is in its final year of implementation. Our new Country Programme (2023-2027), which comes into effect in 2023, 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Policy Unit leads UNDP India’s research and advocacy on Global Goals and the national development agenda, with a special focus on environment and climate change, skill development, inclusive growth and strengthening systems for SDG localization.
• Recognizing  the relevance of policy advocacy for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals,
• UNDP launched a Policy Unit in 2020 to honor the mandate of national development agenda. We seek to onboard a Policy Officer to join our growing, dynamic Policy team to provide substantive inputs to key strategic and policy documents, which direct and guide UNDP interventions on climate change, livelihoods, health, gender, and localization of SDGs among others.

Support the formulation, development, and design of new integrated policy initiatives in UNDP priority areas through:

Preparing substantive inputs to key strategic and policy documents, which direct and guide UNDP interventions on climate change, livelihoods, health, gender, and localization of SDGs.
Collaborating closely with the country office programme teams and external counterparts to identify new policy ideas in line with the UNDP’s priorities, initiate project concepts; lead the consultations on project formulation.
Coordinating closely with technical advisors at the UNDP/Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH), governmental and other institutions to ensure an effective formulation process leading to the approval of the projects.
Ensures a strong relationship between UNDP India’s programmatic work and policy initiatives, with oversight on quality of published policy documents.

Provides oversight and management of initiatives in UNDP Policy Unit through:

• Effective application of Result Based Management (RBM) tools in project management; establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
• Performance of the functions of project manager in Atlas as defined and participation in recruitment processes for projects.
• Proactive financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions; timely escalation of issues and challenges, follow-up on audit and other recommendations.
• Preparation and contribution to the regular reports on outputs and outcomes as required.

Engages in partnership building and resource mobilization through: 

• Coordination of activities and communications with all relevant stakeholders to build new and strengthen existing relationships with partners and relevant government counterparts.
• Identification of capacity building and institutional development needs and implementation of appropriate interventions to enhance capacity and skills at the local level for programme/project development and resources mobilization.
• Scanning of funding windows and any other potential sources, preparation of substantive briefs on possible opportunities for project finance and co-finance in particular with a focus on private sector, financial institutions and Government cost-sharing.
• Representing UNDP in relevant meetings and for a when directed by the supervisor.
• Contribution to the UN’s work in India and actively participate in the UNCT Result Groups and fora.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge generation and management through:

• Formulating and developing best lessons learnt products and tools.
• Leading the preparation of knowledge products with relevance for UNDP’s policy priorities.
• Identifying, synthesizing and sharing lessons learnt and  good practices directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Identifying sources of information related to policy-driven issues; and quality contribution to knowledge networks regionally and globally to support the provision of quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
• Supports the Senior Economist (in his/ her capacity as the head of the Policy Unit) in people management, knowledge management, partnership building/ resource mobilization, and any other task as assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies
Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business management

• Results- based management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
• 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
• Risk management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels

Business Direction & Strategy

• Strategic thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and priority plans in line with UNDP’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
• Trend and data analytics: Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or closely related field with 4 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in national/ international development organizations,

or

Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or closely related field with 2 years of relevant experience listed above.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years with Master’s degree (or 4 years with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and international level in national/ international development organizations with a strong focus on public policy, providing research, operations, and management advisory and support services and/or managing staff and operational systems.
• An understanding of India’s development challenges, the federal structure, and key development policy debates is essential
• Proven track record in providing policy advice and technical assistance on Public Policy at mid- or senior management level.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to condense technical reports to simple text for a general audience.
• Experience of designing and carrying out data-driven research, an understanding of research methods, and an awareness of the public policy research landscape and its key players
• Strong ability to analyze and visualize data-backed research in easy-to-grasp ways.
• Significant working experience in Government or relevant multilateral institutions.
• Experience of leveraging and understanding different data sources, including economic data (both secondary and primary), government reports and surveys, and understanding trends from economic indicators
• Sound knowledge of UN/UNDP rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and practices.

Language Requirement:

English and working language of the duty station.

NOTE: This position is open for India nationals only

Remuneration starting at INR 19,95,955/-(Annual) / INR 1,66,330/-(Monthly) 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.

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