Junior Professional Officer - Climate and Security Risk Policy Analyst

The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme:

The UNDP 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.

Information on the receiving office:

For UNDP, the Crisis Bureau (CB) has the corporate responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results, outcomes and outputs of UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021. CB staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocate UNDP corporate messages; represent UNDP as required, at multi-stakeholder fora including in public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogue initiatives, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives; and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. On emergency and crises response, the CB also works closely with UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) to ensure a seamless transition from short-term relief to long-term development.

The CB ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. CB 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. CB supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

Within the CB, the Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions (CPPRI) Team’s work aims to deliver conflict-sensitive development through a comprehensive range of services in five interconnected thematic work streams in countries impacted or most vulnerable to crisis and fragility, including violent conflicts and/or natural disasters: conflict prevention and peacebuilding; restoring core government functions; strengthening local governance; preventing violent extremism; and supporting climate security.

Job Purpose:

The Policy Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist – Climate and Security Risk (P4), CPPRI, within the UNDP Crisis Bureau.

Title of Supervisor: Policy Specialist – Climate and Security Risk (P4), CPPRI

Content and methodology of supervision:

As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following supervision modalities:

• Structured guidance provided by the supervisor, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing the responsibilities of the JPO
• Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
• Effective supervision through knowledge sharing and performance/development feedback throughout the assignment
• Easy access to the supervisor

• Participation in Unit/Team/Office meetings to ensure integration and operational effectiveness
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
• Completion of the yearly UNDP Performance Management Document (PMD)
• If more than one supervisor; clear agreement of the roles and responsibilities between the relevant parties

In addition, the following specific supervision arrangements will apply:

• Development of key results: the JPO’s agreed Key Results and Competency Assessment which will cascade from the integrated work plan (IWP) of the unit;
• Regular review of progress: the JPO will meet with his/her supervisor on schedule basis to review personal development and learning needs as well as work planning and review of deliverables;
• Regular participation in unit meetings, where s/he will report on his/her progress as well as on the changes faced;
• Annual and midterm performance assessment.

Given the nature of a JPO position, CB will support learning and training opportunities of the JPO by encouraging cross practice activities, to ensure that expectations are fulfilled personally and professionally. Informal performance feedback will be given on assignment basis.

Learning and Training

As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following training and learning opportunities:

• Participation in a Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 3 to 6 months of assignment
• Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
• Other training and learning opportunities, as presented in the UNDP JPO Orientation Programme

In addition, the JPO will benefit from the following specific training and learning modalities/opportunities in the receiving office: CB/CPPRI will support learning and training opportunities of the JPO by encouraging cross practice activities between the main projects and initiatives managed/coordinated by CB/CPPRI, and, to ensure that expectations are fulfilled personally and professionally. Informal performance feedback will be given on assignment basis.

1) Policy analysis, research and development (30%)

• Conduct desk research on climate security to support global policy, strategy and programming efforts; 
• Contribute technical inputs on climate security to policy briefs, background papers, Secretary-General reports and other relevant intergovernmental and interagency processes, as appropriate;
• Monitor key policy developments and develop analysis on climate security-related issues for senior management and partners, and as key inputs to policy formulation.

2) Programmatic guidance and support (40%)

• Support the roll-out of the CSM conceptual approach and toolbox together with Country Offices, Regional Hubs, field missions, Peace and Development Advisors (PDAs) and other key partners and ensure feedback to refine the methodology as relevant;
• Support Country Offices, Regional Hubs, field missions and PDAs to develop climate security projects and initiatives;
• Provide guidance on work planning, monitoring and reporting according to donor requirements;
• Draft project reports, minutes of meetings and terms of reference as required;
• Identify and document good practices and lessons learnt.

3) Knowledge management and partnerships (30%)

• Support knowledge management and co-generation efforts on climate security at the global and regional level, including the work of the UN Community of Practice on Climate Security;
• Identify and collaborate with practitioners and researchers around the world, in particular the Global South, to develop a global evidence base of good practices regarding climate-related security risk prevention, mitigation and management strategies;
• Provide support to workshops and multi-partner consultations in coordination with partners, including preparing agendas, identifying participants, preparation of documents, presentations, logistics, meeting minutes, etc.;
• Draft and aid the development of briefings, talking points, and speeches, as applicable.

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

Technical/Functional

• Problem Analysis and Decision-Making -Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate; contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situations
• Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise - Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; applies knowledge of development issues, particularly restoration of core government functions, public sector reform and peacebuilding and knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures to support the project objectives and the mandate of the organization
• Communications Skills - Strong oral and written communication abilities, especially the capacity to listen and be responsive to the opinions of others. Speaks confidently and exercises diplomacy in dealing with all partners, demonstrating tact, determination and sensitivity
• Knowledge Management - Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge; creates/contributes to mechanisms to collect and share knowledge
• UN System - Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Partnerships-Ability to engage with other agencies and forge productive working relationships
• Capacity Building - Actively seeks learning opportunities; demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development
• Advocacy - Ability to advocate a point of view and influence others

• Master's Degree or equivalent advanced degree in conflict studies, international development, environmental management, climate change or a related field of study

• A minimum of two years of paid working experience in conflict prevention/peacebuilding, climate change and/or related areas;
• Demonstrable understanding of issues related to international development, climate change, security, peacebuilding and/or resilience;
• Experience of working in a field office is desirable;
• Demonstrable excellent written and communication skills; 
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines; and 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team.

• Fluency in English;
• Working knowledge of French or Spanish will be considered an advantage.
• Other desirable skills:Computer literacy and skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

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.

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