What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategy and Planning Specialist position at UNDP?
Job Description
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.
As the lead United Nations agency on international development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. UNDP supports countries in developing policies, leadership skills, partnerships, and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Its work is centred around six core development areas, known as UNDP's signature solutions : poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy, and gender equality.
The Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS (RBEC) serves a diverse and dynamic region comprising 18 countries and territories. The region has undergone profound transformations, compounded by a series of multifaceted crises and development challenges in recent years. To address these issues, UNDP implements integrated development solutions that promote resilience, social cohesion, and inclusive governance, aligning with UNDP's Strategic Plan 2022-2025. Through areas of work like climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, economic development and sustainable financing, RBEC strives to build capacities that enhance development across the region.
RBEC teams in the New York Headquarters and Istanbul Regional Hub work together to support offices to deliver UNDP programmes in country- and region- specific contexts of development priorities and partnerships, while contributing to UNDP global policies, practices, approaches, and tools.
Position Purpose
The Strategy and Planning Specialist, as part of the RBEC HQ team, contributes to orchestrating and facilitating the Regional Bureau's planning functions, overseeing progress monitoring, and ensuring results reporting is in sync with the Strategic Plan, Bureau priorities, vision, and resource allocations within the region.
The incumbent provides analysis and advice to the Bureau's leadership regarding performance against corporate targets and commitments, actively identifying and addressing risks within the Integrated Work Plan's risk management framework. The Strategy and Planning Specialist monitors and analyzes complex political, economic, and social dynamics in assigned countries, providing strategic insights on their implications for UNDP's programming and partnerships. The incumbent synthesizes this analysis into high-quality briefing materials and policy recommendations, enabling senior management to make informed decisions and respond effectively to emerging opportunities and challenges across the region.
Working closely with Country Offices and colleagues in the Istanbul Regional Hub, the Strategy and Planning Specialist promotes integrated approaches to programming that respond to complex development challenges and crises, while accommodating changing business needs. The incumbent collaborates across teams and functions to identify synergies between programmes and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve strategic goals. Recognizing the interconnected nature of today's development challenges, the incumbent works horizontally across units, teams and projects to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration and enable systemic responses.
The Strategy and Planning Specialist also contributes to gathering and analyzing comprehensive regional bureau performance data, aligning global, regional, and country-level organizational datasets with the Bureau's work plan while ensuring that RBEC meets regional and corporate requirements. The incumbent proactively manages evolving priorities and contributes insights to the Bureau's performance management tools and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The primary responsibilities of the Strategy & Planning Specialist are :
- Advise & Support country portfolio analysis, coordination and stakeholder engagement.
- Provide substantive contributions to RBEC's regional and corporate strategic initiatives.
- Provide analytical services and facilitates knowledge building and management.
The incumbent reports to the Chief of Strategy and Planning.
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
Duties and Responsibilities
Advise and support country portfolio analysis, coordination and stakeholder engagement
Provide substantive contributions to RBEC's regional and corporate strategic initiatives
Provides analytical services and facilitates knowledge building and management
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Bureau and the Organisation.
Supervisory / Managerial Responsibilities : No reporting lines to this position.
Competencies
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Achieve Results :
LEVEL 3 : Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively :
LEVEL 3 : Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously
LEVEL 3 : Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 3 : Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination LEVEL 3 : Think beyond immediate task / barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner
LEVEL 3 : Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 3 : Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition
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 Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP's mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to realityon the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight
Business
Management
Portfolio
Management
Ability to select, prioritise 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 Business Direction & Strategy Effective Decision-making Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications. Business Management Communication
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
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.
2030 Agenda : Engagement & Effectiveness Effectiveness RBM standards and practices for programming
Required Skills and Experience
Education :
Experience :
Language :
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
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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