Social Policy Specialist

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization, fighting to end the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

The Agenda 2030, based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is underpinned by a strong commitment to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first. It recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and inequality and provides a framework that comprehensively addresses all dimensions of well-being. Pakistan was one of the first countries in the world to endorse the SDGs at the Sustainable Development Summit held on 25 September 2015. In 2016, Pakistan Parliament unanimously approved the SDGs as the national development agenda. Since then, Pakistan has demonstrated an impressive policy, institutional, and financial commitment to achieving SDGs, embracing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and leaving no one behind by adopting the UNDP-supported Goals frameworks as part of its national development planning. Since adopting the SDGs as the National Development Agenda, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has established the SDGs Support Unit at the Planning & Development Department in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme. 

As a second-generation intervention of the long-standing National Initiative for SDGs (2016-2023), the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa SDGs Plus Project, as a joint initiative of UNDP Pakistan and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is launched to strengthen a policy integration approach, evidence-based decision-making, resilient institutional capacities, diversified partnerships, mobilization of innovative financing, and integrating climate resilience, innovation, social protection, and inclusion. The project is anchored by an integrated framework comprising three key areas based on the provincial priorities, including: 

Objective 1: Internalizing SDGs: Improved governance for SDGs aligned equitable and inclusive development planning, budgeting, expenditure tracking, monitoring, and reporting, with a special focus on underdeveloped /marginalized districts to achieve regional equalization.
Objective 2: Financing for Development and Climate Resilience: Public and private financing for development, identifying and channelling resources to reduce the development financing gap, focusing on SDG investments and climate financing.
Objective 3: Inclusive Development, Social Protection, and Innovation: Gender equality, inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation mainstreamed in SDGs to achieve Leave No One Behind.

• Conduct in-depth social and socio-economic Sector’s analysis to inform policy development and provide technical assistance and strategic visioning in line with the Project Document and close coordination with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Planning and Development (P&D) Department for crafting SDG-aligned and evidence-based policies, emphasizing priority sectors and marginalized demographics in development planning, budgeting, and implementation strategies, aimed at economic development, and poverty and inequality reduction. 
• Undertake high quality analysis and interpretation of social and socio-economic data and prepare policy papers and briefs for senior government and UNDP officials on issues related to social development, social protection, social inclusion, gender mainstreaming and economic empowerment, poverty and inequality as well as sectoral reports.
• Analysis of public policies aimed at social development, poverty and inequality reduction with the objective to assess their effectiveness and impact and provide recommendations accordingly Assist in harnessing technological innovations, particularly the potential of digital transformation for inclusive and area-based development. 
• Evaluate existing policies, frameworks, and project activities to ensure gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches aligned with SDGs for equitable development and social inclusion.
• Substantively contribute to the Project Progress and other reports; Supervise the work of consultants and other organizations which the project may engage in relation to the work of this particular post;
• Organize national and sub-national workshops and where required, present project’s work 

Capacity Building and Data Strengthening 

• Engage with consultants and provide input regarding social and socio-economic sectors to develop district profiling and curate gender-sensitive and inclusive district development plans, monitoring frameworks, and evaluations specifically tailored for underdeveloped or marginalized districts.
• Assist in developing SMART indicators to monitor the cut across themes of gender inclusion, diversity, and social inclusion etc. of project-supported initiatives and awarded consultancy services.
• Provide data strengthening support by developing a disaggregated data system at provincial and district levels, focusing on policy-oriented data collection to fortify SDGs monitoring and reporting. 
• Extend technical support to government entities in monitoring, tracking, and reporting expenditures at the provincial and district levels. This includes analyzing ADP alignment with the SDG Agenda 2030 and identifying capacity constraints for integration into development planning. 
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize social and socio-economic sectors’ data and information across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and propose policy options to relevant government departments. 
• Provide top-quality and innovative policy advisory support to the Government and facilitate capacity development and knowledge building with regards to accelerating progress in social and socio-economic sectors, and pro-poor growth for achieving SDGs targets. 
• Address challenges related to suboptimal private sector partnerships for reducing the financing gap, while also focusing on innovative strategies to optimize limited fiscal resources.
• Contribute to Provincial SDGs Status Report and keep abreast of regional and global economic trends and issues and analyse their implications for the realization of the SDGs in Pakistan. 

Strategic Partnerships, Knowledge Management, and Dissemination

• Establish dynamic and diversified partnership platforms, ensuring effective inclusion of grassroots communities, movements, and marginalized groups to amplify voices and actions. 
• Keep abreast of regional and global socio-economic trends and issues and analyze their implications for the realization of envisaged targets in the project’s priority policy areas. 
• Develop policy briefs and conduct policy dialogues on the success stories, best practices, challenges, and opportunities for evidence-based social protection and inclusion.

Impact of Results:

• The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the Project for Sustainable Development Goals Implementation, the performance of project team and success in implementation of programme strategies. Accurate analysis, data entry and presentation of information ensure proper programme implementation. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-functional & Technical competencies

Information Management and Technology

• Data Management & Analytics: Knowledge in data management, data sciences, ability to structure data, develop dashboards and visualization; Design data warehouses, data lakes, or data platform concepts; Familiarity with Machine learning, natural language processing or generation, and the use of artificial intelligence to support predictive analytics; CDMP or TOGAF9 or equivalent certification desirable.

Business Direction & Strategy

• 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

Digital & Innovation

• Digital Inclusion: Knowledge of how digital inclusion works opportunities and challenges for governments and society.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

• Strategic Policy Engagement: Economic forecasting

Business Management

• Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Partnership Management

• Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain, and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.