Office/Unit/Project Description
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). UNDPโs policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its 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 UNDPโs Strategic Plan.ย
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 UNDPโs Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages; represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, including public-private, government and civil society dialogues; and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.ย
UNDP's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlighting our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, accompanying countries in their pathways towards the SDGs and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP's Nature, Climate, Energy, Waste and Chemicals Hubs promote and scale up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.
BPPSโ Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy Waste and Chemicals work with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement the UNโs largest portfolio of in-country programming on environment, climate change, and energy. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio encompasses:ย
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests.ย Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including Food Systems.ย Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS.ย Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.ย Sustainable Energy.ย Extractive Industries.ย Chemicals and Waste Management.ย Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approaches.ยThis work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.
UNDP Nature Hub is the arrowhead of UNDPโs commitment to a โNature Pledgeโ that aims to put nature at the heart of sustainable development. UNDPโs Nature Pledge for 2030 focuses on three systemic shift areas: value shift, economic and finance shift and policy and practice shift; that are necessary to trigger accelerated and scaled action for achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).ย
A Global Value shift aims to change narratives and behaviors and place nature at the heart of development and across sectors, including governance, economics, finance, health, and conservation, to drive progress across the SDGs.ย An Economic and Finance shift will help ensure that natural capital is valued alongside financial and human-made capital by decision-makers.ย A Policy and Practice shift aims to deliver change at scale on the ground, led by countries, grounded in local communities, and informed by Indigenous peoples' knowledge. This will build on a 3 billion portfolio of nature-related projects in 140 countries.ยThe Food Systemsย team contributes to the Nature Pledge through supporting the transformation of food and agricultural commodity systems into resilient, equitable, inclusive, environmentally, socially and economically sustainable systems. With a global portfolio invested in projects related to Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems and spread over 137 countries, UNDP seeks to promote a new paradigm for food and agricultural commodity systems that is based on diversified, resilient, agroecological systems and value chains which work simultaneously on achieving economic, environmental, social and health outcomes, with smallholders central to the transformation as the engine of economic development.ย
ย The UNDP Food Systems Strategy focuses on 3 key areas:
Forest-Positive Agriculture
UNDP Food Systems seeks to eliminate deforestation and conversion from key food and agricultural commodities systems, while improving livelihoods and resilience for women, small producers and indigenous people.
Corrective actions to address the impact of global food production and trade on forests and climate change is now evolving from deforestation-free supply chains to forest positive strategies, highlighting the opportunities of sustainable production while tackling potential bottlenecks in supply chains. Food Systems workstreams include:ย
Integrated supply chain approach: promoting a systemic approach to sustainability that encompasses the entire commodity supply chain. Multistakeholder collaboration processes for policy reforms: Processes and tools to align stakeholders directly in producing countries with differing interests, power, and voices within a shared vision. Connecting scales from global to national and subnational: UNDP works to strengthen at national level the connection between national commitments to global conventions, specifically linking national food systems policies through NDCs and National Biodiversity Strategies Action Plans (NBSAPs)Sustainable Production Landscapes
Supporting multi-stakeholder dialogue and effective collaborative action among stakeholders to transform the way food and agricultural commodities are grown and traded.ย
Jurisdictional Approaches: Catalyzing the transformation across jurisdictional levels Land use planning: Protecting forests through inclusive land planning processes Strengthening farmer support systems: Supporting the transition towards sustainable agricultural production applying the UNDP Farmers Support Systems Toolkitย Understanding causality in landscapes through the utilization of Causality Assessment for Landscape Interventions (CALI) methodology, providing an integrated, systems-informed approach for project teams and partners to continuously reflect on the validity of their Theory of Change.ย Food Systems Transformation
A holistic approach to food systems transformation and resilience, addressing structural and systemic factors that will strengthen food systems for future crises. Food Systems work focuses on:
Food systems governance: Policy design needs to put a systems approach at its core, with governance arrangements adjusted within and across countries and stakeholders. A systems approach requires strengthening cross-sectoral, multi-stakeholder governance and collaboration processes that connect food systems transformation with multidimensional analysis, planning, budgeting, implementation and learning Policy coherence for food systems transformation:ย Engaging the whole of government to boost impact on the ground aligning public policies to drive transformational change. Food systems resilience: strengthen food systems making them sustainable, inclusive and equitable, healthy, and resilient. UNDP Food Systems is seeking to recruit a โInnovationย Analystโ to support coordination a range of activities within the Innovation Pillar with a focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration, system approaches and the link between inner and outer changes, reporting to the Food Systems Innovation Lead.Scope of Work ย ย
1.ย Coordination of Food Systems Innovation Pillar:
Support effective coordination of the Innovation Pillar team and workplan, focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of activities. Coordinate the preparation and aggregation of knowledge management products and reporting processes, including donor and corporate reports. Support management of team contractual arrangements and support procurement processes, including drafting TORs, participate in assessment processes, participate in interview panels etc., in collaboration with the Programme Administrative Associate and Food Systems Administrative Associate. Support the integration of Innovation within the Food Systems Team with other initiatives, as well as other UNDP teams.ย Participate in Food Systems Team activities, such as monthly team meetings, annual retreat, and specific workstreams, as needed.ย Contribute to other project management tasks and support project team members, as and when needed.2.ย ย Support to other initiatives and processes in the Innovation Portfolio and facilitate knowledge management:
Support the design and implementation of selected Effective Collaborative Action (ECA) activities with CO and partners, including delivery of capacity building on key thematics such as working with power, facilitating multistakeholder collaborative spaces, gender equality in multistakeholder processes, etc.ย Support the design and implementation of the ECA Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework and other impact measurement activities, including survey design, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, report preparation, impact briefs / stories design Support production of knowledge management products, such as impact briefs, guidance materials, blogs etc.ย Support to other initiatives and processes in the Innovation Portfolio, such as the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA), Sustainable Landscape Programme in Indonesia (SLPI), The Systems Monitoring Learning and Evaluation (SMLE), as needed.3.ย Support the implementation of flagship initiative โCollaboration for Complex Challenges: addressing the food biodiversity climate nexus (C3 Labs)โ:
Support on adaptative project management for the C3 Labs initiative, including team coordination, the workplan to ensure effective implementation of deliverables and milestones to agreed timelines, design and maintain knowledge management systems and partnership database, and managing internal UNDP operational processes.ย Contribute to the design and implementation of Labs to strengthen collaboration to address key nexus issues at global and country levels, including convening Lab participants, Advisory Group and Faculty, undertake baseline analysis, co-planning and design of retreats, workshops, online sessions, Communications and relationship management, logistics and operations, and participatory Monitoring, Learnings and Evaluation processes. Support the design and implementation of a C3 alumni community, to facilitate learning and collaboration between different organisations and initiatives working to strengthen more collaborative and systemic approaches, including annual peer learning events. Support design of partnership frameworks and Governance mechanisms, as well as preparing and reporting on meetings and other governance related activities. Support the development of strategic products and key materials, such as concepts design, presentations, Guidance materials to capture learnings, and so on.ย Contribute to planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas, and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.4.ย Build Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:
Support the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy. Identify and support building and nurturing of partnerships with key partners, including UN agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector and civil society organisations (CSOs).ย Analyse and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new joint activities, develop proposals and substantively contribute to Food Systems Team resource mobilization efforts. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the OrganizationInstitutional Arrangement
The incumbent will work remotely from his/her home-base; The incumbent will be supervised by the Food Systems Programme Lead Advisor. The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment; The incumbent will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection. Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.Competencies Core
Achieve Resultsย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovativelyย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsย Learn Continuouslyย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determination ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partnerย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusionย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationยCross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management
Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.Communication
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.Risk Managementย
Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.Monitoring & Evaluationย
Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively.ย Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme management and resultsย Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.ย Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.ย Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.ยPartnership Managementย
Relationship Managementย
ย ย Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.Digital
ย Systems thinking and transformation
Understand that complex problems need a non-reductionistic , holistic approachย Ability to explore challenges from multiple perspectives by zooming in a and out with a focus on relationship and flows rather than individual elements; understand how certain dynamics and conditions are driving and influencing and issue.ย Ability to develop a collective understanding by a mapping system and their dynamics (e.g. flows or resources, information; power relations); is able to handle ambiguity and can help others navigate it.ย Being able to identify interventions point to leverage change and system transformation by setting out a coherent collection of multiple interventions to probe the system for desirable effects. Understand that change is no linear and unpredictable; being comfortable and able to work with emergence.Business Direction and Strategyย
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.Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA
Min. Academic Education
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in International Development, Management or Business Administration, Food and Agriculture, or other related discipline is required. Or A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the same fields in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the masterโs degree.Min. years of relevant Work experienceย
ย Minimum 2 years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in the field of international development, project management and/or business administration.ยRequired skills
Experience coordinating projects/initiatives including support budgetary aspects of work planning process and management of team budgets. Experience in partnerships with a wide range of public and private partners. Expertise in food and agriculture and/or systems change.Desired skills
Experience in multi-stakeholder collaboration. Experience in system approaches and the link between inner and outer changes. Experience in monitoring and evaluation.ย Experience in delivering capacity-building activities with diverse partners. Experience in Resource Mobilization.Required Language(s) (at working level)
Fluency in the English is required. Fluency in Spanish and/or French is an advantage.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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