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 carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. Within this context, UNDP invests in the 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 the Strategic Plan.
LAC is a middle-income region, but it is NOT a middle-class society. Countries in the region aspire, however, to become strong, cohesive societies where the middle class is a powerful engine of growth and yields healthier and constructive political dynamics. To do so, UNDP is working to support countries in the region to enhance productivity, inclusion and resilience, with effective governance as a pre-condition.
Under the guidance and supervision of the Panama Regional Hub Director, and the BPPS Inclusive Growth Team Leader in HQ, and working closely with the RBLAC Chief Development Economist, the Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Growth Advisor will lead the Inclusive Growth Team for Latin America and the Caribbean. The Inclusive Growth Team will provide technical and policy advisory services to UNDP Country Offices, as well as provide substantive leadership in areas on poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth, and labour markets. Substantive leadership on these areas will be framed through a lens of productivity, inclusion; resilience; and effective governance, following UNDP’s narrative in the region.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:
Substantive leadership in areas related to development economics, with special focus on poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth, sustainable development and SDG integration;
Technical and policy advisory services to UNDP Country Offices;
Interact with governments and other relevant counterparts on issues of SDGs, growth, poverty and inequality, and inclusive growth;
Knowledge management and community of practice networking;
Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement for effective policy positioning in the region.
1. Substantive leadership in areas related to development economics, with special focus on poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth, sustainable development and SDG integration:
Provide substantive leadership in the analysis of drivers and challenges for the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequality, and overall achievement of SDGs in LAC, through a productivity, inclusion, resilience and effective governance lens;
Lead on the development of knowledge products on issues related to development economics and SDG implementation in the region including poverty, inequality, productivity, labour markets, social protection, urbanization, vulnerability, exclusion, among others; and
Develop tools and methods that strengthen UNDPs offer on SDG integration and poverty and inequality reduction for the achievement of the SDGs.
2. Technical and policy advisory services to UNDP Country Offices
Provide substantive policy advisory services to COs, primarily from LAC, that respond to their demands and needs;
Work with the Regional Bureau’s Country Advisors to ensure relevant, timely and multi-disciplinary response to country needs for policy analysis and packaging of policy options as well as design and/or recalibration of programmes; and
Scan the horizon for new areas of work where UNDP could position itself as a relevant actor according to emerging country demands and develop capacities around those areas .
3. Interact with government and other relevant counterparts on issues of poverty and inequality and inclusive growth:
Lead dialogues on poverty reduction, inclusive sustainable growth and social issues with governments, donors, civil society, and private sector in the region;
Develop cutting-edge policy analysis, particularly on relevant issues to governments and other development actors;
Meet with government counterparts, where relevant, to help position UNDP as a knowledge and programmatic leader in the areas of poverty and inequality reduction; and
Provide capacity building support for government officials on development economics for the achievement of the SDGs.
4. Knowledge management and community of practice networking:
Curate data, evidence and research to distill lessons for UNDP LAC and globally and information into knowledge;
Build a network of partner organizations among academic and research institutions, and especially with bilateral donor agencies, UN Agencies, and IFIs to enrich UNDP policies and programmes;
Enable and advocate South-South facilitation of exchanges and experiences sharing where relevant; and
Provide oversight of capacity development of UNDP staff in application of tools and practices.
5. Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement for effective policy positioning in the region:
Lead in substantive debate and collaboration with the Human Development Report Office, and institutions, such as think tanks, universities and financial institutions, to inform the strategic direction of UNDP’s policy advisory support across all areas of the SDGs;
Represent UNDP in relevant high-profile arenas to influence the development policy direction in the region;
Lead on the application of new approaches for achieving national and regional progress towards the SDGs, through integrated approaches, in various regional and country fora with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms;
Represent UNDP as required within engagements in interagency coordination on policy areas related to development economics;
Engage with regional partners around resource mobilization; and
Manage the building of strategic alliances and partnerships, especially with key think tanks and non-governmental organizations.
Competencies
Corporate competencies:
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
Data and Statistical Analysis:
Knowledge of data and statistics analysis and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Sustainable Development Goals:
Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Substantive Networking:
Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions, and think tanks.
Knowledge Management:
Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.
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.
Management & Coordination:
Ability to manage and coordinate people. Believe in and promote diversity in the workplace and reshaping the workforce to meet need.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
A Master's degree, in development economics, sustainable development, statistics, complex adaptive systems, or other relevant field.
Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of experience in either public sectors (national or multilateral, including UN), private (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing level of responsibility as a policy advisor
Proven track record and leadership experience in the UN System related to economic analysis, SDG support and inclusive growth
Demonstrated experience in providing policy advice and developing tools and methodology to support countries in their implementation of the SDGs
Experience working in LAC highly desirable
Language Requirements:
English and Spanish proficiency,
French and/or Portuguese is considered an asset.
