Policy Specialist
Bonn, Germany
JOB DETAIL
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.
The Volunteer Solutions Section (VSS) develops policies and solutions to support the mobilization of UN Volunteers and Online Volunteers across the UN system. VSS is responsible for providing robust and innovative volunteer service offers to the UN system, including consolidated volunteer types and categories, policies, talent acquisition (sourcing to recruitment) and volunteer engagement and management expertise. VSS works in close collaboration with all UNV units (headquarters, Regional Offices, and Field Units) to provide relevant products and tools to support volunteer mobilization.
Reporting to the Deputy Chief, Volunteer Solutions Section, the Policy Specialist, Volunteer Policies is responsible for the review and update of the Volunteer policy framework to meet the organization’s needs and incorporate feedback from relevant stakeholders. She/he provides technical guidance for sound policy implementation and proposes strategic direction to enhance policy quality and integration into programmatic requirements. S/he works in close collaboration with the Regional Offices and Field Units, New York Office, Volunteer Services Centre, and other relevant subject matter experts and external stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Ensure effective implementation of the Volunteer policy framework
- Provide timely policy advice on UNV-promulgated Volunteer policies and UN policies affecting UN Volunteers, including UNDP POPPs and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN Host Entities.
- Ensure policy compliance through UNV’s Service Desk to internal and external stakeholders.
- Undertake the review, formulation, and update of the Volunteer policy framework, based on evolving needs and feedback from headquarters’ units, Regional Offices and Field Units, as well as relevant partners.
- Assess policy deviations in line with UNDP Enterprise Risk Management policy and procedures.
- Identify Volunteer policy gaps and areas of potential risk due to policy vacuum, trends in the UN system, and/or crisis and other altered operational contexts in order to propose, formulate, and draft strategic and tailored policy amendments, administrative guidelines, and other policy instruments.
- Develop and implement feedback mechanisms to gather reliable data and provide analysis on efficiency and effectiveness of existing policy and associated guidance notes and tools.
- Analyze, advise, and guide Volunteer policy implementation, evaluations as well as audit responses to assess, review, and update policy framework in full alignment with organizational aims.
- Research, analyze and prepare analytical briefs for senior management’s consideration in support of proposed policy refinement.
2. Lead policy formulation and roll-out
- Review external UN policies to assess the suitability for integration in the Volunteer policy framework.
- Review Volunteer policy coherence and integration into products and systems, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Contract, Offer, Description of Assignments (DoAs) for UN Volunteers.
- Lead the formulation of new policy initiatives including quality assurance for Unified Conditions of Service (UCOS), Online Volunteering Terms of Use (ToU), Special Programme Initiatives (SPIs), Joint Partner Initiatives (JPIs), piloted initiatives, and exception requests based on organizational priorities and evolving needs.
- Provide timely guidanceand advice onapplying policies, procedures, and necessary supporting documentation for volunteer management to internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversee maintenance and periodic review of the comprehensive Volunteer policies, including UCOS, ToU and other Volunteer policies.
- Facilitate internal and external consultations on the policy review, proposed changes, and updates in the volunteer policies, including UCOS and other relevant policies.
- Organize and implement revised policy roll-out process through detailed guidance notes, knowledge tools, communication materials, and briefings with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure coherence in policy implementation and application.
- Contribute to and participate in policy dialogue through cross-regional and cross-UN system exchange of knowledge and collaboration and in partnership with relevant headquarters units.
3. Lead knowledge management and dissemination
- Contribute to UNV’s innovation and knowledge generation through continuous research and networking to conceptualize, draft, and guide technical inputs for the Section’s policy platform.
- Support the identification and documentation of key lessons and practices for capacity building and cross fertilization for strengthened policy compliance and efficient and effective Volunteer management.
- Participate in onboarding, regional workshops, and other learning activities for UN Volunteers and UNV personnel, including development of training materials and their delivery.
- Contribute to relevant communities of practice to capture emerging trends and enhance policy formulation.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise the Policy Associate, Volunteer Policies
Competencies
Achieve Results
- Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively
- Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously
- Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility
- Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination
- Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner
- Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
- Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
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.
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 and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.
Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP and UNV’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP/UNV.
Effective Decision Making
- Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
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.
Managing compensation and benefits
- Ability to design compensation plans which are aligned to current and future organization needs and market conditions; knowledge of and ability to apply the ICSC compensation methodologies and principles. Knowledge of and ability to design benefits-related processes, programmes, and tools, including benefit enrolment and amendments
Knowledge of applicable legal framework
- Understanding of the legal norms as applied to the United Nations in general, and to UNDP in particular. This includes an understanding of the structure, functioning and operations of UNDP within the broader UN system and the application of international treaties, including the UN Charter, GA resolutions, the relevant basic country assistance agreement and UN system-wide legal instruments, as well as an understanding of the internal legal framework (financial regulations and rules, policies, and procedures) of UNDP.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Public or Business Administration or related fields is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above -mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in human resources policy development and implementation.
- Experience in developing volunteer management policies and procedures in a development context is an asset.
- Experience in MS Office 365 is required.
- Experience and knowledge of the conditions of service of the UN Common System or of international organizations would be an asset.
- Experience working with UN Volunteers would be an asset.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Working knowledge of another official UN language would be an asset.
Disclaimer
Note:
- Only short-listed applicants will be contacted;
- The successful candidate will hold a UNDP letter of appointment;
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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