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Head, Governance

Organization Name: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Location: New York, United States
Apply email: Not Specified
Start Date: 25-April-2019
Closing Date: 19-May-2019

Job Description

Agency: UNDP

Title: Head, Governance

Job ID: 22789

Practice Area - Job Family: Democratic Governance

Vacancy End Date: 19/05/2019 (Midnight New York, USA)

Time Left: 26d 22h 12m

Duty Station: New York, United States

Education & Work Experience: I-Master's Level Degree - 15 year(s) experience

Languages: Required: English
                        Desired:

Grade: D1

Vacancy Type: FTA International

Posting Type: External

Bureau: Development Policy

Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background

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 is carried out through a network of advisors and specialists located at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, to ensure that local knowledge and context specific expertise is linked to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP provides its policy advisory and programme support functions through the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains, 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 policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and works closely with the Crisis Bureau (CB) that has the responsibility to guide and implement UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery.

The Governance team in the BPPS covers the following workstreams:
Goal 16 coordination and localizing the SDGs
Inclusive participation
Transparent and accountable institutions
Youth engagement
Innovations in Governance
A special focus is given across these workstreams and other areas of UNDP’s work to advancing the interests of women, youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The Head of Governance is responsible for issuing guidance, providing leadership and substantive direction to the Governance Team located in HQ, as well as to the governance advisors and specialists assigned to the Regional Hubs. By delegated authority from the BPPS deputy director, the Governance Director may also oversee the work of Global Policy Centres working on UNDP’s governance agenda. He/she provides world-class authoritative advice and technical expertise, leads advocacy and speaks authoritatively to support the delivery of the signature solution on effective, accountable and inclusive governance. S/he promotes, co-facilitates and monitors the way in which the Governance community of Practice shapes and evolves in UNDP and champions integrated multi-disciplinary approaches to today’s complex development challenges. In this regard, the Head of Governance also collaborates closely with the UNDP Innovations Team to provide direction and guidance to the Next Generation Governance Initiative and ensures connectivity with relevant Acceleration Labs and other UNDP units and initiatives, in particular also with the Human Development Report Office The Governance Director also works closely with the other teams in the BPPS and the Crisis Bureau to ensure the Governance Team contributes to UNDP’s leading role in the UN system on SDG implementation in developing countries (through the MAPS engagement approach - Mainstreaming, Acceleration, Policy Support).

The Head of Governance is responsible and accountable for the following functions:
Policy formulation and development
Policy advice and programme support delivery
Overall management and resource mobilization
Partnerships, representation and advocacy
Community of practice and knowledge management
The Head of Governance is a member of the management team in BPPS and a member of the Extended Management Team of the Global Policy Network. S/he provides authoritative technical knowledge on governance in a variety of development situations and ensures close collaboration with the Crisis Bureau to ensure timely and accurate support to crisis and transition settings.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Policy formulation and development
Direct and substantively guide UNDP’s policy and programming support on SDG16 implementation and monitoring, inclusive participation, transparent and accountable institutions, youth engagement and innovations in governance, ensuring integration into the overall implementation of the UNDP Strategic Plan.
Define UNDP’s policies on the governance contributions to sustainable development in general and to building peaceful just and inclusive societies more specifically, drawing on the best available evidence, and exploring emerging issues where appropriate. 
2. Policy advice and programme support delivery
Provide substantive leadership, quality control and guidance to the team in their provision of evidence-based policy advisory services to country offices, ensuring relevance of the services provided to country and regional contexts;
Ensure the timely provision of world-renowned expertise contributing to the global recognition of the organization as an authority, source of innovation and convening hub of the global community on the critical governance issues of the day; and
Liaise with the Crisis Bureau to ensure a rapid and well-coordinated response to crisis and conflict situations and provide related contributions to UNDP SURGE for country offices.
3. Overall management and resource mobilization
Lead and manage the governance team, including supervising staff and overseeing strategy development, work planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting;
Promote a collaborative work environment both within the team and with external units and apply corporate incentives to build a motivated and high-performing team of policy advisors and specialists and support staff.
Design, coordinate and approve strategies for mobilizing financial resources and ensuring effective delivery of resources by policy advisors and global programmes managed by BPPS.
4. Partnerships, representation and advocacy
Mobilize, foster and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN and other relevant bodies and provide substantive guidance and direction to those partnerships, supporting outward looking engagement;
Represent the team and the Governance Community of Practice in UNDP’s corporate discussions, in interagency coordination and in other fora to engage partners in advancing the strategic agenda of UNDP’s governance portfolio
Contribute substantively to international discussions on peaceful, just and inclusive societies, positioning UNDP and advocating for the importance of the UNDP’s governance work
Encourage team members to contribute to substantive discussions on UNDP’s work and approaches to building peaceful, just and inclusive societies through blogs, articles and the use of social media
5. Community of practice and knowledge management
Oversee, influence and promote the advance of policy dialogue in the team’s thematic areas through cross-regional exchange of knowledge and collaboration, South-South and triangular cooperation, synthesis of knowledge emerging from the development and implementation of programmes, and the linking of research and practice;
Promote, facilitate, encourage and co-manage the governance for peaceful, just and inclusive societies community practice, in close collaboration with relevant teams in the Crisis Bureau.  
Stimulate the use of social media to ensure wide dissemination of positions, events, debates on the topics covered under the signature solution.
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 while exercising good judgement
Advocacy: Ability to advocate a point of view and influence others
Knowledge Management: Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge 
Technical/Functional
Sustainable Development Goals: Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations at the national and local levels.
Substantive Networking: Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions, and think tanks.
Collaboration & Partnerships: Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.  Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP
Trends and emerging areas analytics: Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design
Management & Coordination: Ability to manage and coordinate campaigns and people with inspiration. Believe in and promote diversity in the workplace and reshaping the workforce to meet need.
Required Skills and Experience

Education:
A Master's degree, preferably in public administration, international development, political sciences, law, business administration, development economics, or other relevant field, or extensive compensating experience in governance.
Experience:
15 years of professional work experience in either public sectors (national or multilateral, including UN), private (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing responsibility in the design and development of policies and programmes (in areas such as inclusive participation, elections, parliamentary support, civic engagement, responsive and accountable institutions; human rights, state-citizen dialogue at the international level and the broader governance agenda in general).
Proven experience in leading teams, providing policy advice and pioneering approaches in the area of governance
Demonstrated track-record of excellence in delivering the work programme of complex, global organizational entities in the area of governance and its links to sustainable human development and Agenda 2030
Proven experience working in different geographical areas, and development settings, including conflict and post-conflict environments 
Excellent negotiating, writing and communication skills and ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, academic, civil society, business community leaders)
Proven track record of management and resource mobilization skills
Proven track record and leadership experience in the UN System is an advantage
Language Requirements:
English proficiency, Arabic, French or Spanish is considered 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.

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