Policy Specialist [Open to all applicants] - Home-based

Job Description

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the organization, the majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process, as described below.

• Tiered Approach
• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed‑term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed‑term (FTA) appointments.
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and expert and specialist UN Volunteers.
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.

Please make note of the tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Present in 166 countries and territories, UNDP supports governments in developing strong policies, institutions and partnerships to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Drawing on UNDP’s country presence and in close collaboration with UNDP’s Global Policy Network and the Development Coordination Office (DCO) in the UN Secretariat, the Effective Development Cooperation team, located in the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), provides policy and technical support to partner countries and UN Country Teams on development effectiveness, and supports the work of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC).

The GPEDC is a multi‑stakeholder initiative launched under the Busan Partnership Agreement in 2011 and is dedicated to driving development effectiveness to maximize the benefits of people, planet, prosperity and peace.

The 2023‑2026 Global Partnership Work Programme outlines three strategic priorities: generating evidence through the GPEDC monitoring exercise; driving informed policy dialogue and action through country dialogues and strategic partnerships; and fostering political awareness, behaviour change and updates through targeted outreach and advocacy.

UNDP, together with OECD, supports the GPEDC through the OECD‑UNDP Joint Support Team (JST).

Annex 3 of the 2022 Geneva Outcome Document outlines the core functions of the JST: management of the GPEDC monitoring framework and process; secretariat and advisory services to co‑chairs and steering committee members; and advocacy, strategic communications, learning and knowledge management support.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy Specialist will lead monitoring work within the UNDP Effective Development Cooperation team and serve as an integral member of the OECD/UNDP Joint Support Team, providing strategic policy guidance and technical leadership to advance the GPEDC monitoring agenda.

• In Particular, The Policy Specialist Will Provide
• Lead GPEDC monitoring for the UNDP side of the Joint Support Team, managing a sub‑team of 2‑6 colleagues across diverse locations to deliver on monitoring‑related activities, including the rollout of the fifth monitoring round and strong partner country engagement.
• Develop and implement strategies for increased and deepened engagement of partner country governments and stakeholders in Global Partnership activities, supporting GPEDC Co‑chairs and steering committee members from partner governments and leveraging UNDP’s Global Policy Network, UN Resident Coordinator Offices and UNDP Country Offices.
• Lead efforts to renew the GPEDC monitoring framework and process, exploring integration of the GPEDC monitoring exercise into existing country processes, activities and mechanisms, and liaising with relevant UN/DP offices to coordinate synergies between effectiveness‑related workstreams.
• Guide and support team members in providing technical support on all aspects of the GPEDC monitoring framework and process, including senior‑level guidance to national coordinators at all stages of the monitoring exercise and necessary adaptations of tools and frameworks.
• Lead analysis of country‑level actions taken in response to monitoring findings and translate lessons learned into policy guidance for countries on the effective use of future monitoring results.
• Design tailored engagement strategies for partner countries to ensure a whole‑of‑society approach to the monitoring exercise and operationalisation of effective development cooperation principles.
• Lead exploration of new and innovative ways to monitor effective development cooperation, including the use of AI.
• Support Country‑Led Effective Development Cooperation Efforts
• Coordinate across the UN development system at headquarters and country level to support programme country governments in taking action on GPEDC monitoring results through inclusive country dialogues with partners, working directly with national coordinators to conduct the Global Partnership monitoring exercise.
• Lead global reporting efforts on effectiveness, including SDG indicator reporting and inputs to the FFD Forum, HLPF and other relevant UN fora and processes, coordinating within the JST and with UNDP Country Offices and other partners.
• Guide team members in conducting ongoing scanning and mapping of country experience to facilitate peer learning and encourage action on monitoring results.
• Identify, facilitate and synthesise knowledge‑sharing and in‑person/virtual learning events for partner country governments and stakeholders on development effectiveness.
• Lead Policy Development, Knowledge Sharing and Advocacy
• Lead policy development and analysis on issues related to country‑led effective development cooperation, including drafting policy briefs, concept notes, talking points and programme agendas.
• Support preparation of partner country governments’ led knowledge pieces on effective development cooperation and stories of progress for the Global Partnership website and communication channels.
• Provide substantive inputs, particularly related to monitoring and country‑level efforts to promote development effectiveness policy change, and organisational support to steering committee meetings and other GPEDC meetings such as the Busan Global Partnership Forum.
• Contribute to global policy dialogue on effective development cooperation, preparing background documents, substantive inputs and analysis, briefing materials and speaking notes as requested.
• Support project‑management functions, including preparation of programme/project documents, corporate monitoring and reporting, annual project reporting and donor reporting.
• Assist the Team Lead with policy work, team management and partnership functions as needed.

The incumbent will perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Policy Specialist will report to the Team Lead, Effective Development Cooperation, under the overall direction of the UNDP Geneva Office Director.

• Competencies
• Core Competencies – Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion – all at Level 3.
• People Management and Cross‑Functional & Technical Competencies – include systems thinking, negotiation and influence, data analytics, knowledge generation, partnership management, integration within the UN system, and performance management.

Education

• Required Skills and Experience
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Statistics, Economics, Public Policy or related disciplines is required; alternatively, a first‑level university degree combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be considered.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of work experience in international development, with at least 2 years working on development cooperation issues at country level.
• Experience directly advising/supporting national governments in development cooperation, development partnerships and sustainable development efforts is required.
• Experience undertaking country‑level analysis relating to effective development cooperation and sustainable development is required.
• Experience of supervising staff is required.
• Experience working in fragile contexts is an asset.
• Experience providing support to multi‑stakeholder initiatives is an asset.
• Familiarity with the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation is an asset.
• Experience leading the production of policy and programme guidance relating to effective development cooperation is an asset.
• Experience in multi‑donor funded project management, including preparing background documentation and budgets for grant agreements and preparing donor reports is an asset.
• Language
• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language, especially French, is a strong asset.
• Equal Opportunity

UNDP is an equal‑opportunity employer that values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate.

We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse of Authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, or abuse of authority.

All selected candidates undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to Select Multiple Candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for consideration for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level.

Use of AI by Candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection.

Scam Alert

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