Senior Research and Policy Advisor (SDG16)

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. In 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. 

 

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.  BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response.  BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS 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.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts. 

 

The Oslo Governance Centre (OGC), a Global Policy Center in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, is an applied research and policy hub which advances global dialogue and knowledge on inclusive and transformative governance for the prevention of and transition from crisis and violent conflict.  Contributing to UNDP’s signature solutions on strengthening effective, accountable and inclusive governance, as well as enhancing national prevention and recovery capacities for resilient societies, the Centre supports UNDP and other development actors to better understand through research and policy dialogue how inclusive and transformative governance can support peaceful, just and inclusive societies, especially in transitional contexts where the risk of conflict and crisis is high. In the current project period (2018-2021) the OGC has the following areas of focus:  inclusive governance in countries in crisis and transitions, including understanding evolving social contracts; informed societies, understanding the changing roles of media and communication in our societies; the prevention of violent extremism; SDG 16 implementation and monitoring for inclusive, peaceful and just societies; including leading UNDP’s custodianship of three global SDG16 indicators, responsible for working with national statistical systems to ensure data collection and reporting. 

 

The Centre connects UNDP and the UN with policy-makers, practitioners,  researchers, think tanks, business and other relevant stakeholders for learning and sharing on inclusive and transformative governance for sustainable development.  It is a convening hub that also builds on the experiences of Norway and the Nordic region in the focus areas of the Centre, promotes South-South collaboration and the sharing, exchange and co-creation of knowledge. 

 

UNDP is seeking a Senior Research and Policy Advisor to oversee and further develop the Centre’s work on SDG 16 implementation and monitoring for inclusive, peaceful and just societies; including leading UNDP’s custodianship of three global SDG16 indicators, responsible for working with national statistical systems to ensure data collection and reporting. The Advisor will leverage partnerships to support OGC and UNDP’s delivery, connecting with existing networks, institutions, universities, civil society organizations and think tanks in Norway and the Nordic Region and beyond, including in partner countries. S/he will work closely with other international organization partners, especially those based in Europe and the South on SDG 16 monitoring and measurement including other UN agencies and international organisations (for example, UNODC, UNWomen, OHCHR, UNESCO, OECD) and global civil society. 

 

The Advisor is responsible for the following functions:

•Policy research and policy development; 

•Management/Coordination; 

•Partnerships and Representation; 

•Knowledge Management & Integration in the BPPS and wider GPN 

 

1.Policy research and policy development:

 

•Stay abreast of research and policy developments on SDG16 and governance measurement, ensuring synthesized knowledge is available to benefit the organization at large, providing analytical pieces/policy briefs and reviews of knowledge;

•Ensure SDG 16 data management (including analysis) is linked and contributes to UNDP policy and programming; 

•Produce analytical pieces/ policy briefs and reviews of knowledge and think pieces related to SDG 16. 

•Contribute substantively to incorporate policy and guidance on SDG 16 and governance more broadly. 

•Support, as needed, the provision of policy and programme support delivered by the Global Policy Network (GPN), in the thematic areas within the purview of the OGC; 

•Working closely with other teams within the GPN, provide substantive inputs to national, regional and international fora to help shape global and regional development strategies, policies, norms and standards, especially related to implementing and measuring progress on SDG 16; 

•Provide guidance on cross thematic issues on programmatic areas of OGC’s work. 

 

2.Management and Coordination:

 

•Lead and coordinate UNDP’s SDG 16 indicator custodianship and data management responsibilities with regards to measuring SDG 16 progress; 

•Lead UNDP’s continued engagement and support to the Praia City Group on Governance Statistics;

•Develop and manage  an applied research portfolio, including related partnerships, events and knowledge codification, related to SDG 16, as agreed with the OGC Director and in close consultation with relevant colleagues;

•Oversee delivery and reporting on the implementation of the assigned areas, according to the OGC annual workplan; 

•Establish and implement strategic priorities for future activities, in liaison with the OGC Director and other colleagues. 

 

3.Partnerships and Representation:

 

•Lead advocacy related to OGC’s work on SDG 16, especially with regards to UNDP’s custodianship responsibilities for several global SDG 16 indicators.

•Represent UNDP (and where appropriate, UN partner organizations) to advocate for corporate messages in regional and international discussions on SDG 16

•Leverage external partnerships, especially in Norway and among Nordic institutions in support of global progress on SDG 16 implementation, as well as UNDP’s work more broadly. Contribute to strengthening partnerships with research institutes, civil society organizations, international and regional organisations on SDG 16 especially supporting South-South and triangular knowledge sharing, and ensuring that OGC works closely with both Nordic as well as Southern think-tanks and institutions; 

•Provide guidance and leadership for the engagement of civil society in OGC’s work on SDG 16, the promotion of civic engagement and the establishment of strategic partnerships; 

•Support partnerships with other UN SDG16 custodian agencies (including UNODC, OHCHR, UNWomen, UNESCO)  and key multilaterals (including the World Bank, OECD) and other existing and potential partner institutions working on SDG 16;

•Where appropriate, support resource mobilization for UNDP’s governance work and OGC’s work in particular. 

 

4.Knowledge management and integration in the GPN:

 

•Ensure cutting-edge knowledge production and dissemination, especially related to SDG16, including overseeing the work of the SDG16 Hub;

•Oversee work on knowledge products that will position the Center as a global center of excellence on SDG 16 measurement;   

•Strengthen,  in co-ordination with OGC team and other members of the GPN, lessons learnt, best practices, and relevant knowledge products to shape UNDP’s support to the implementation of SDG 16 globally; 

•Facilitate the broader learning agenda within OGC and the GPN, including through support to knowledge management, devoting a significant proportion of time to building knowledge,  disseminating lessons learned, and networking 

•Facilitate regular information sharing and planning with different parts of BPPS and CB, identifying opportunities, gaps and any overlap, supporting the value-added of the Centre’s activities.

 

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

 

Education:

 

•Advanced university degree (Masters) or its equivalent  in Political Science, International Relations, Social Policy, Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Statistics or a related discipline. 

 

Experience:

 

•At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in the area of governance; 

•Proven knowledge and experience in issues related to measuring governance and SDG16. Experience working with national statistical systems is an asset. 

•Proven policy research experience in governance. A track record of publications is an asset.  

•Experience of integrating research and analysis into practice in the areas of governance and peacebuilding in support of Agenda 2030;

•Excellent networking and interpersonal skills, including ability to establish and maintain high-level contacts with representatives from government, international organizations, CSOs, academia and other partners;

•Track record of bringing together multiple stakeholders, including governments, civil society and researchers to address policy challenges; 

•Knowledge of and experience with UN/UNDP and its work in governance and/or peacebuilding is an asset;

 

Language Requirements:

 

•Excellent knowledge of English, as well as writing, presentation and communication skills;

•Working knowledge of other UN language is an asset.

 

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