This position is open to South Korean Nationals Only.

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 is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office (CO) levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policies and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to COs, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

Managed by BPPS, the Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) was established in 2011 as the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre for Global Development Partnerships following an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and UNDP signed in November 2009. The Centre’s functions and activities were set out to include: (1) To serve as the immediate interface with the Government on all aspects relating to the evolving RoK – UNDP partnership; (2) To serve as knowledge centre for comparative experiences and approaches of new development partners in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable human development; and (3) To facilitate and promote learning, networking, policy dialogue and consultation among new development partners and to contribute to capacity development in developing countries. USPC’s profile has continued to evolve since its inception.

Since 2015, the USPC has been brokering partnerships and knowledge-sharing activities between the RoK and developing countries, under its flagship knowledge-sharing programme, called SDG Partnerships, in the various field including governance and gender, development cooperation, and environmental resilience. Drawing on the joint expertise of RoK and UNDP’s Global Policy Network, USPC’s SDG Partnership Programme convenes global and bilateral policy discussions, produces knowledge products to share RoK’s technical expertise, and provides seed funding together with technical support to selected UNDP Country Offices and their partners. As envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the SDG Partnership programme therefore combines the local experiences with a rich global network, tapping into countries’ knowledge and shared experiences, and delivering catalytic impacts to our partners.

While undertaking incremental improvements where needed, the Centre’s triennial work programme (2023-25) will continue to be anchored in its original mandate and build on USPC’s existing vision as facilitator of global knowledge exchange and country-level application of innovative and tested-and-proven development solutions for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Centre will carry out the related policy research and analytical work to more strongly contribute to corporate thought leadership on development cooperation and SSTC priorities and related global development debates through the following substantive areas: (i) Development Cooperation Approaches and Modalities; (ii) Governance and Gender; (iii) Green Recovery and Transition; and (iv) Private Sector Engagement and Development. Cross-cutting issues such as digital transformation and inclusive approaches to leave no one behind will be considered for all substantive areas.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

Under the guidance of the Director of USPC, the Policy Analyst – Governance and Gender – will report directly to the Team Lead/Policy Specialist – Governance and Gender and support all aspects of policy work of the Centre. S/he is responsible for performing and contributing to the following:

• Support implementation of the USPC’s SDG Partnership Projects and other initiatives
• Conduct policy research to produce and share practical knowledge and resource materials
• Build partnerships, support information sharing and collaboration
• Support Centre-wide cross-cutting activities

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Ensure implementation of the USPC’s SDG Partnership Projects and other initiatives 

• Develop new SDG partnership projects and other initiatives in the areas of governance and gender, facilitating the launch of related Expression of Interest calls and selection of partner countries, in close collaboration with ROK partners and relevant UNDP GPN teams.
• Organize and facilitate webinars, meetings, and study visits to promote effective sharing of good practices of ROK and beyond for SSTC.
• Coordinate with COs to monitor and report progress of programmatic and financial delivery and provide feedback to ensure successful implementation.
• Assist in producing testimonies and communication materials highlighting the impacts of the SDG Partnership projects and other initiatives.

Conduct policy research to produce and share practical knowledge and resource materials

• Conduct policy research on governance and gender issues, identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities within the context of the SDGs.
• Collaborate with ROK partner institutions and subject matter experts to develop knowledge products and resource materials that include practical recommendations.
• Disseminate knowledge documents and resource materials to stakeholders, facilitating discussions and knowledge sharing to enhance understanding and collaboration.

Build partnerships, support information sharing and collaboration

• Identify and engage with relevant institutions in the ROK to foster strategic partnerships, particularly in the areas of governance and gender.
• Facilitate regular contacts, meetings, and events with partners to ensure effective communication and strong collaboration
• Support the development of joint initiatives that leverage the strengths of partner organizations.

Support centre-wide cross-cutting activities and facilitate knowledge sharing

• Contribute to various Centre-wide initiatives, including corporate reporting, communications, partnerships, high-level events, etc., to enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

The Policy Analyst will supervise interns and foster cross-team collaboration.

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

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Anti-Corruption
• Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Access to Justice and Security for Women and Girls

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Partnerships Management: 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
• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Political Science, Social Science, International Relations, Development Studies, Law and/or other related fields is required. OR
• Bachelor’s degree in the field mentioned above, with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• A minimum of 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional work experience in the area of governance is required;
• Prior work experience in an international or national government organization, or a large-scale private organization in a multicultural environment is required; UNDP experience is an additional advantage;
• Demonstrated capacity to write clear and well-constructed reports and knowledge products;
• Demonstrated experience in project delivery planning, design, management and support, in the area of governance including anti-corruption and gender equality, is desirable;
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis in the area of governance is desirable;
• Proven work experience in capacity building programmes, regional/global events organization and/or knowledge management is desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers, office software packages, video conferencing platform (including Zoom and Microsoft Teams), and social media is desirable;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Korean languages, both written and oral, is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer:

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

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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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements