Futures Fellows (home based, more than one position)

Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

aims to build a more agile, anticipatory UNDP that embraces complexity, actively manages risk, continually adapts and seeks to learn alongside delivering results.  

STRATEGY AND FUTURES TEAM BACKGROUND:

The Strategy and Futures (S&F) Team in the Executive Office supports the UNDP Administrator in building a more agile, anticipatory UNDP, alert to the trends and changes of an uncertain world and ready to respond to many different futures.

The S&F Team is responsible for two pillars of work: strategy and futures. The pillars intersect and inform each other. The strategy pillar is responsible for shepherding the Strategic Plan and for providing direction to the corporate systems that underpin our planning and reporting. This includes developing the organization’s strategic plans and driving the midterm review of the plans. The futures pillar’s focus is to connect, cohere and amplify the various futures efforts across UNDP, linking people and resources of knowledge and experience, and to establish a futures ecosystem, enabling UNDP to achieve stronger development impact.  This includes providing support to UNDP Country Offices worldwide on futures.

Duties and Responsibilities

Competencies

• Offers creativity and innovative thinking
• Strong interest and motivation in working on futures and in an international organization
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation
• Can analyse quantitative data and draw lessons/insights from their analysis
• Initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set
• Communicates effectively, orally and in writing, when working in teams
• Good at organizing and structuring a mix of tasks and responsibilities
• Meets deadlines
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view
• Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience

Expected start date: January 2025

The UNDP is designed to offer diverse individuals exposure to development issues and UNDP’s daily operations while simultaneously providing UNDP with additional skills and expertise to support its activities and mandate.

1. Monthly stipend: Fellows will receive a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses during their fellowship period. The amount will be based on the location of the fellowship and prorated based full-time/part-time status. This is a stipend, not a salary. There are no entitlements payable for dependents/family.
2. Fellows will further be offered health insurance and paid leave prorated accordance to full-time/part-time status.
3. Home-based: Fellows will be expected to work remotely; no relocation is required.
4. Hours worked: Fellows will have the option to work full-time (40 hrs/wk) or part-time (20 hrs/wk). Please specify your preference in your application and why. Your choice will not impact your application.
5. There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following a fellowship.
6. Status of fellows: Fellows are not considered “staff members” nor “officials” of UNDP. Although Fellows are not “officials” of UNDP, fellows must comply with the standards of conduct set forth in their fellowship agreement and respect the impartiality and independence required of the United Nations and UNDP
7. Further conditions in accordance with the governing UNDP Fellowship Policy, and outlined in the final Undertaking Letter subject to successful selection.

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s or other advanced degree in social sciences, such as public administration, economics, international relations, political science, futures studies, behavioural science, development studies or a related area; or
• Completed an advanced degree within the last 3 years

Academic (or equivalent professional experience) in futures studies or foresight is desirable; however, practical experience on futures is equally as valuable.

Work Experience:

• Candidates must have at least one year of work experience
• Experience in futures, strategic foresight, or systems thinking and design is highly desirable
• Experience in disciplines outside of international development will be considered favorably

Required Skills:

• Self-Motivated and Proactive: Ability to work independently with a can-do attitude, taking initiative and driving tasks to completion without direct supervision.
• Fast-learner: Ability to quickly learn new concepts, including adapting to new tools and technologies.
• Data Literacy: Strong aptitude for working with data, including the ability to analyze, interpret, and utilize data in decision-making processes; including familiarity with data management tools, such as Airtable, Microsoft Lists, Google Sheets, Microsoft Forms, and other advanced tools.
• IT Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office productivity tools, including Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Digital Proficiency: Familiarity with digital tools, platforms, and technologies relevant to the role.

Desired Skills:

• Marketing Skills: A marketing mindset is essential for writing and promoting case studies, energizing the Futures Network and encouraging adoption of Foresight within the organization.
• Graphic Design Proficiency: Strong ability to create visually appealing and effective graphic materials that support strategic initiatives.
• Strategic Design Expertise: Demonstrated experience in applying design thinking and innovation to develop strategic solutions.
• Experience in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI): Experience or knowledge in the field of science, technology, and innovation
• Proficiency in Miro, Workshop Facilitation and Visual Collaboration Tools: Experience using visual collaboration platforms such as Miro to facilitate team collaboration, workshops and brainstorming.

Language skills:

• English proficiency is required
• Knowledge of another language is an advantage