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.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in nearly 170 countries and territories. Anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and committed to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind, UNDP’s priorities are set in its Strategic Plan, aiming to help countries achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shocks.
The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for positioning UNDP as the world’s leading global development network, promoting its global authority and thought leadership on sustainable development and the interconnected issues of poverty, inequality, and climate change. BERA leads and supports UNDP in building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances essential to achieving its mission. Creating strong political and financial backing for UNDP by providing partners and supporters with a clear understanding of what UNDP does and how our mission, capabilities and flagship services relate to them. The Bureau leads UNDP’s work on innovative and diversified partnerships and ways of financing the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also responsible for global campaigns on critical development issues, which aim to inform government policies and build partnerships around high-impact solutions. BERA coordinates and sets corporate standards across the functions of partnerships, marketing and communications within UNDP and leads on internal communications.
The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy is positioned around three service lines; Public Partnership; Advocacy, Marketing and Communications; and Private and Finance Partners, all working in close collaboration and coordination under the guidance of the Directorate and with the support of the Management Support Unit and Strategic Analysis and Engagement team.
BERA has a robust network of Representation Offices (Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo and Washington D.C. and Regional Teams in five hubs (Africa, Arab States, Asia Pacific, Europe and CIS, and Latin American and the Caribbean) co-led with Regional Bureaux, all of which play a critical role in audience centric communications and management and strengthening of relationships with Public and Private Partners to help build a strong brand for UNDP within the local ecosystem.
The Representation Office in Washington D.C. (WRO) plays a critical role in UNDP’s relations with the U.S. (United States of America). The UNDP WRO supports, shapes and advances UNDP’s corporate efforts to position, nurtures and advances the overall strategic cooperation with a full range of U.S. partners, including the U.S. administration and related government entities, Congress, civil society, the private sector, the academic and NGO communities, and Washington DC based think tanks. The U.S. remains a significant funder to UNDP. The US-UNDP cooperation includes policy dialogue, co-financing of projects, joint research/study, joint conferences and seminars, and joint advocacy and publicity activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director of BERA, s/he will be primarily responsible for partnership, policy dialogue and constituency building efforts with the US, including support to corporate resource mobilization. The Director is also responsible for supervision and guidance to UNDP Washington based staff and ensuring cross-unit cooperation and coordination.
Resource Mobilization, Partnerships and Policy Dialogue/Coordination:
Serve as the principal interface between UNDP and the U.S. Government that includes the US Congress, Administration, including the State Department, National Security Council, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), United States Agency for International Development, and other key US government entities/institutions based in Washington DC(WDC)-within that context, the Director will work to build and strengthen the knowledge, understanding, and importance of UNDP’s work, including building on common interests, towards enhancing the U.S./UNDP relationship, with the goal of ensuring strong US support for UNDP;
Scan and analyze the environment (political, economic, and social) in the US, and develop the strategy on how best to strengthen the relationship between UNDP and the various arms of the US government as well as other strategic partners based in WDC;
Identify opportunities for building partnerships between UNDP and members of the WDC-based NGO community, the private sector as well as the professional groups, associations and think tanks which are headquartered in WDC;
Act as prime corporate adviser on optimal corporate strategies and policies to deepen and broaden UNDP’s existing partnership with the US, including communications, outreach and resource mobilization strategies;
Participate in and contribute to policy discussions relating to development in general and in priority areas of concern to UNDP;
Organize special events (such as seminars, symposia, briefings,) with the purpose of sensitizing the US Government, media, NGOs, as well as potential development constituencies, on the work of UNDP.
Constituency-Building:
In consultation with UNDP’s Communications Group and Regional and Central Bureaux at UNDP Headquarters, support media efforts in disseminating UNDP’s work, including support in crisis communications, and reviewing UNDP publications for presentation to constituencies in WDC;
Provide overall guidance on UNDP and WDC-based International Financial Institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Provide regular advice to UNDP headquarters concerning trends among WDC based policy and opinion makers on development assistance, the role of the UN development system and emerging issues such as governance, post-conflict situations and human rights;
Facilitate visits to WDC by senior officials of UNDP for meetings with the Executive Branch Congress and with NGOs, professional groups and associations, and other existing/potential partners;
When requested, represent UNDP at important conferences and meetings held in WDC;
Collaborate with other WDC based representation offices of the UN secretariat and UN agencies, in advancing the role of the UN system with a wide range of WDC based constituencies.
3) Representation and Office Management:
Represent UNDP in meetings and conferences to advocate UNDP’s development approach and increase UNDP’s visibility.
Lead and manage the UNDP WRO Office staff;
Responsible for the day-to-day management of UNDP Washington financial, procurement and human resources management and operations in enhancing “performance & accountability;”
Responsible for the supervision of the UNDP Washington staff to motivate and promote organizational excellence in order to deliver quality services and performance;
Competencies
Core
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Delivery
Ability to get things done
Technical/Functional
Primary
Partnerships
Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships
Representation
Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues)
Resource Mobilization
Ability to identify partners/donors, instill UNDP’s mandate and generate resources
Strategic Planning
Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission
UN System
Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Secondary
Brand & Quality Management
Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality
Negotiation
Ability to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference, or gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue
Risk Management
Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree or equivalent in international development, public administration, business administration, public policy, law, or other relevant social sciences.
Experience:
Minimum 15 years of relevant experience, including some management at a senior level, including extensive experience with the legislative and executive branches of government, resource mobilization, high-level policy dialogue and negotiation;
Proven representational, diplomatic, and negotiation skills and ability to interface effectively at senior levels of government, development agencies, and other organizations and partners.
Political astuteness and strong communications and advocacy skills and ability to mobilize support for UNDP from a wide range of audiences
Fully conversant in current issues and trends in development policy and practice.
Knowledge and understanding of UN/UNDP policies, and experience in the organization’s operational activities is highly desirable.
Demonstrated leadership and team building skills.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Working knowledge of additional EU languages is an asset.
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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