Technical Advisor [Open to Internal & External applicants]
Overview
Provide technical advisory services to countries in areas of strategic planning, structural economic transformation, public finance management, development financing, access to energy, and trade. Support the Regional Bureau for Africa's substantive work through research and analysis of emerging trends and opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare clear, practical, and evidence-driven analyses of complex development challenges and provide workable solution and policy options to government officials.
- Undertake regular review of key trends shaping national and regional development outcomes in African countries/regions.
- Prepare position papers for African and UNDP leaders on the impact of global geostrategic trends/shocks on the attainment of the SDGs in Africa.
- Analyze and aggregate relevant economic, financial, and environmental data to inform the formulation of bespoke diagnostic tools.
- Prepare and launch technical reports on challenges and opportunities in African countries.
- Contribute to institutional reports (including global, regional, and national HDRs).
- Lead networks of regional expertise to support RBA Country Offices in the design and implementation of development plans and the execution of development programming.
- Oversee quality assurance for all knowledge products in specific areas of expertise.
- Ensure that knowledge products are fully aligned with national priorities and UNDP’s Strategic Plan.
- Leverage knowledge products to enhance UNDP’s positioning in the attainment and acceleration of the SDGs in Africa.
- Provide authoritative, evidence-driven advice on emerging issues to African governments and UNDP officials.
- Maintain strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders, government officials, and other UNDP bureaus.
- Expand the outreach of RBA programming and share the impacts of RBA engagements.
- Build and expand partnerships with relevant regional/global research and policy institutions.
- Ensure meaningful participation in relevant fora, workshops, and conferences.
- Design and implement strategies to strengthen competencies and build technical skills in RBA Country Offices.
- Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
Required Experience
- Minimum of 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in project management, coordination, implementation of capacity-building initiatives or relevant related field is required.
- Proven experience working with African regional institutions such as the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, civil society organizations and think tanks on a wide range of issues.
- Proven experience in project management, coordination and implementation of capacity-building initiatives.
- Proven experience and understanding of crosscutting development challenges in Africa, such as governance, youth, gender equality, etc.
- Proven experience in strategic communications and partnerships.
- Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations is desired.
- Knowledge of capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies is desired.
- Proven experience working with African regional institutions such as the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and think tanks on a wide range of issues is desired.
- Experience in providing high level advisors on programme management to the senior management is desired.
Qualifications
An Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) from internationally-recognized institution in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required OR; A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above mentioned fields, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree; Earned doctorate from internationally-recognized tertiary institution in relevant field is preferred.