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Job Description Nationality: This position is fundedwitih the framework of the JPO programme of the Government of Denmark, and is open only to nationals of Denmark. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc
The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme
The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system. During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices. Additionally, the JPO will undergo a journey of exposure and growth which will build both personal and professional capacity for a career within the multilateral development sector.
As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.
The JPO will work as part of a team and be supervised by an experienced UNDP staff member, including :
- Structured guidance and feedback, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing of responsibilities
- Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
- Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
- Completion of the yearly UNDP Annual Performance Review (APR) including learning and development objectives
The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:
- Participation in a virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
- Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
- On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
- Career development support mechanisms and activities
- Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
- Mentoring programme
- Other training and learning opportunities
Organisational context
Governance is one of the six signature solutions in UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025 – alongside poverty and inequality, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality – to support countries towards three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and resilience. The objective of UNDP’s governance work is to ensure that accountable, inclusive and effective governance underpins sustainable development. UNDP’s governance assistance, including that provided through UNDP’s Global Programme, Governance for People and Planet (G4PP), is multi-dimensional and multi-level and goes beyond technical solutions to support a “systems approach” which is human rights based, problem-driven and participatory to accelerate development and ensure no one is left behind. This JPO position will be anchored in two G4PP workstreams: the Democratic Institutions and Processes in a Digital Era and Inclusive Public Sphere portfolios to strengthen the integration of work on electoral assistance with inclusive political participation and civic engagement in particular. Supporting elections through an integrated approach serves as a crucial entry point to strengthen governance systems to be effective, accountable and inclusive.
The Policy Analyst will have dual reporting. He/she will report to the Global Lead, Democratic Institutions and Processes (based in New York) and to the Global Lead, Inclusive Public Sphere (based in Brussels). Key internal partners will include other clusters and teams in UNDP’s Global Policy Network (GPN) as well as UNDP Regional Bureaux and Hubs and Country Offices. Key external partners include the UN Secretariat and other UN Agencies, Members States and relevant associations and organizations.
The purpose of this position is to contribute to UNDP’s global policy development and programming support on democratic institutions and processes and an inclusive and open public sphere. The position will support efforts to integrate electoral assistance support with policy and programming work on promoting and protecting physical and online spaces for civic engagement and multi stakeholder dialogue, strengthening integrity in information ecosystems and building systemic engagement between democratic institutions and civil society. It is expected this will enhance the integration of electoral assistance into broader governance programming, strengthening a holistic and long-term approach to election assistance.
The Position Will Focus On The Following Areas
- Supporting capacity development, knowledge generation, and technical assistance to strengthen electoral integrity with an especial focus gender equality, youth participation, and the overall inclusiveness (LNOB, PwDs, LGBTI) and effectiveness of electoral systems and processes;
- Facilitating research, dialogue and innovations in programming on priority “future of democracy” issues including next generation democratic institutions that are more representative and responsive; democratic institutions and their responsibilities/duties to future generations, and the risks and opportunities of technology and digitalization, among others
- Supporting legislative or regulatory measures that advance fundamental freedoms related to civic space and civic engagement,
- Promoting and protecting physical and online spaces for inclusive civic engagement and multi-stakeholder dialogue, with a focus on promoting the participation of those most at risk of being left behind.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Policy development and analysis
- Support the development and implementation of the Governance for People and Planet (G4PP) policy and programming support focused on inclusive political processes including development of reporting tools and a resource mobilization and partnership materials;
- Support policy development especially in the area of democratic institutions and processes, inclusive political processes, civic engagement and electoral assistance;
- Conduct and update analysis of country data, develop and maintain knowledge datasets and distill relevant lessons;
- Assist in development and design of advocacy and communication materials, including contributing to / drafting power-point presentations, speeches, and press releases as well as developing advocacy strategies for disseminating and raising awareness of specific governance or electoral issues.
- Research and knowledge management
- Contribute to analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to distil relevant lessons learned on inclusive public sphere/civic engagement projects and activities;
- Assist in the development and updating of databases of UNDP worldwide projects and initiatives on both electoral assistance and inclusive public sphere
- Support the implementation of the G4PP particularly related to developing new policy and knowledge;
- Contribute to development and implementation of new research and policy initiatives including related to digitalization and an inclusive and open public sphere and innovations in democratic institutions and processes;
- Draft project reports, minutes of meetings and terms of reference as required.
- Programming support
- Support the development / monitoring of global and regional initiatives;
- Support to the provision of advisory services as well as the provision of technical guidance to and substantive collaboration with regional focal points;
- Support development of work plans, monitor/report progress and financial reporting.
- Communities of practice and partnerships
- Support the development and strengthening of the inclusive public sphere and electoral assistance professional communities, through partnership building, communications, and outreach to other teams and clusters, Regional Bureau focal points, UN partners and other relevant organizations;
- Support the development, organization and coordination of global and regional events and activities;
- Assist in the maintenance of a roster of experts, including monitoring client feedback;
- Assist in the maintenance of a database of institutional partners and mapping of potential donors and partners;
- Support the development of targeted funding proposals;
- Contribute to building an inclusive public sphere community of practice through partnership building, communications, and outreach to other practices, Regional Bureaux focal points, UN partners and other relevant organizations; develop networks with UN country team working in the practice service area.
Competencies
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
Technical And Cross-functional Competencies
Governance: Electoral Cycle Support
Governance: Inclusion and Participation
Governance: Civic Engagement
Gender: Political Parties
Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Effectiveness: Performance and data analysis and sharing lessons
Education
Required Skills and Experience
- Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in a related field of expertise such as law, political science, public administration, international relations or development studies or Bachelor’s Degree in a related field of expertise such as law, political science, public administration, international relations or development studies.
Experience
- A minimum of two years, or four years with Bachelor’s degree, of paid working experience in democratic governance and inclusive political processes.
- Working knowledge of gender and women’s political participation and leadership desirable.
- Experience in international affairs and/or international development corporation, preferably from a developing country, desirable.
- Proficiency in English
- Working experience in relevant field, preferably with a national parliament, government, international organization or civil society.
- Working knowledge of any official UN language other than English is an asset
Attachments needed (please note that once the application is submitted in the system, you cannot go back to upload documents or edit information)
- A brief motivation letter in English that explains why you’re the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your Master degree
Contract duration: This JPO position includes a 1 year FTA, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, recommendation by respective office and partner country agreement for a 2nd year with the same office, and reassignment to a UNDP country or regional office for a 3rd year The third year assignment in country or regional office will be discussed during the second year of the JPO assignment.
Nationality: This position is fundedwitih the framework of the JPO programme of the Government of Denmark, and is open only to nationals of Denmark. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc
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.
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.
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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