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.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director of the Regional Service Center for Africa and the BPPS Inclusive Growth Team Leader in HQ (through a matrix structure), the Inclusive Growth Team Leader will work closely with the SDG Integration Team Leader in HQ, the Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) Chief Economist and the Strategic Advisory and Research Team (SART), the Regional Programme Manager and other thematic Team Leaders at the Regional Service Center for Africa. S/he will provide technical and policy advisory services to UNDP Country Offices, as well as substantive leadership in the areas related to development economics, including poverty and inequality reduction; inclusive growth and trade; and sustainable development, SDG integration/ national development planning. 

The Inclusive Growth Team Leader will support the effectiveness of country-level response by performing country-facing and global-level functions, addressing national needs and priorities but also advancing cross-thematic and integrated policy solutions. S/he will also provide support for the implementation of the Regional Programme, working closely with the Regional Programme Manager.

            Duties and Responsibilities

                Summary of Key Functions

1. Substantive leadership in areas related to development economics, with special focus on poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth and trade, sustainable development and SDG integration.
2. Programme and policy advisory services to UNDP Country Offices.
3. Support for the implementation of the Regional Programme for Africa and to advance RBA regional agenda.
4. Knowledge management, innovation and community of practice networking.
5. Representation, advocacy, resource mobilization and partner engagement for UNDP positioning in the region.
6. People and Resource Management.
7. Substantive leadership in areas related to development economics, with special focus on poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth and trade, sustainable development and SDG integration

• Provides substantive leadership in the analysis of drivers and challenges for poverty and inequality reduction, including social protection, inclusive growth and trade, the SDGs and African Union Agenda 2063 performance in Africa, and applies the principles of equality and leaving no one behind;
• Assesses the socio-economic situation and trends in the region to ensure that UNDP’s policy support and programmes are relevant and responsive to emerging priorities and needs.
• Articulates and communicates a strategic vision for the Inclusive Growth team, consistent with RBA and BPPS priorities for the region, and UNDP Strategic Plan.
• Provides strategic guidance to RBA and BPPS management on programming opportunities that are relevant and responsive to emerging priorities and needs in the region.

1. Programme and policy advisory services to UNDP Country Offices

• Provides substantive policy advisory services and programme support to Country Offices, primarily in Africa, that respond to their demands and needs.
• Works with the Regional Bureau’s Country Oversight and Support Team (COST) to ensure relevant, timely and multi-disciplinary response to Country Offices’ needs for policy analysis and delivery of policy options as well as design and/or revision of programmes.
• Identifies opportunities to scaling up investments on UNDP’s work on poverty eradication, inequality and inclusive growth in Africa.
• Scans the horizon for new areas of work where UNDP could position itself as a relevant actor according to emerging regional and country demands and develop capacities to respond in those areas.
• Supports Country Offices to position UNDP as the SDG integrator in support of a coherent UN system approach to the SDGs and African Union Agenda 2063.

1. Provide support for the implementation of the Regional Programme for Africa and to advance RBA regional agenda

• Provides support to the implementation of the Regional Programme for Africa, including in the area of social protection, the SDGs/AU Agenda 2063 and economic structural transformation, trade, private sector development and other areas that fall under the broader poverty reduction and inclusive growth agenda.
• Supports regional processes, including the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD), by providing substantive inputs and positioning UNDP as the SDG integrator at the regional level.
• Provides support to the African Union (AU) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), on the basis of demand, with policy and programming support in the area of poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth and the SDGs.
• Provides supports to the implementation of regional strategies and action plans, as required by the Regional Director, including on the Sahel, Horn of Africa, Great Lakes, Africa regional integration agenda/AfCFTA and others.

1. Knowledge management, innovation and community of practice networking

• Leads the development of knowledge products on issues related to poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth and SDG implementation in the region, including multidimensional poverty, inequality, LNOB and social protection, structural economic transformation, jobs and livelihoods, among others, working closely with other thematic teams, the Regional Programme, RBA Strategic Advisory and Research Team (SART) and the Global Policy Centers;
• Develops tools and methods that strengthen UNDPs offer on SDG integration and poverty and inequality reduction for the achievement of the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063.
• Leads the use of corporate knowledge practice networks and platforms to ensure development knowledge and practice is actively shared and used by all in the Inclusive Growth team.
• Actively contributes to UNDP’s poverty and inequality Community of Practice including by curating data, evidence and applied research to distill new lessons and knowledge for UNDP Africa and globally;
• Facilitates and advocates for South-South exchanges and experiences sharing where relevant;
• Models substantive innovation (working closely with the Policy Centers) and empowers team members to adopt new approaches that build their individual capacities and enhances the reputation of the Inclusive Growth team and UNDP in Africa as a center of excellence.
• Provides oversight of capacity development of UNDP staff in application of tools and ractices.

1. Representation, advocacy, resource mobilization and partner engagement for effective UNDP positioning in the region

• Leads in substantive debates on the SDGs, inclusive growth and poverty and inequality reduction and helps position UNDP in Africa as thought leader and the SDG integrator;
• Represents UNDP in relevant high-profile fora to support UNDP advocacy efforts and influence development policy in the region;
• Represents UNDP as required within engagements in interagency coordination on policy areas related to inclusive growth and the SDGs;
• Supports the building of strategic alliances and partnerships, especially with key think tanks and non-governmental organizations.
• Builds and/or strengthen partnerships with organisations such as UNECA, the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the World, the AfDB, UN Agencies (ILO, UNICEF and others), academic and research institutions, development partners and others, to enrich UNDP policies and programmes.
• Actively mobilises resources to expand UNDP’s programming offer to regional partners and countries/Country Offices, in the area of poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth and the SDGs/Agenda 2063.

1. People and Resource Management

• Provides strategic guidance and oversight of the Inclusive Growth team in the Regional Service Center for Africa
• Builds a well-integrated, highly motivated and effective team, and promotes an environment in the Inclusive Growth team that thrives on innovation and a sense of purpose and passion for delivering results.
• Inspires and motivates the Inclusive Growth team members, to perform at highest levels and in conformity with UNDP’s Code of Ethics, for a positive, healthy work environment; ensures all team members complete their mandatory learning and performance management plans.
• Ensures effective application of corporate performance and reporting tools.
• Manages the programme budgets allocated to the Inclusive Growth team.
• Determines the strategic focus and allocation of regional programme resources in consultation with the Regional Programme Manager and RBA management, in line with the regional priorities.
• Oversees the effective design, management and delivery of regional initiatives/programmes under the Inclusive Growth team.
• Ensures that the Inclusive Growth team meets its annual programme delivery targets, providing regular team oversight and guidance.

                Competencies

                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 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, or extensive compensating experience in the area of economic development, and poverty alleviation.

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 programme support, developing tools and methodologies to support countries in their implementation of the SDGs
• Experience working in Africa highly desirable

Language Requirements:

• English and French proficiency, Spanish and/or Portuguese is considered an asset.

                Disclaimer

                Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

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.

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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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.