Background
The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global policy center mandated to leverage the role of the private sector in development. The ICPSD was established in Istanbul, Turkey on the basis of the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the United Nations Development Programme in March 2011. The Center is one of the five global thematic centers of UNDP, advocating and facilitating the contribution of the private sector to human development and inclusive growth through the following thematic priority areas:
Private sector engagement through South-South cooperation for the SDGs. Role of the Private Sector in Skills Development. Impact Investing.ย Private Sector Resilience and Crisis Response.To drive sustainable and inclusive growth aligned with the 2030 Agenda, ICPSD has fostered multi-stakeholder partnerships for skills development. One of its flagship collaborations is with the HP Foundation, focused on enhancing entrepreneurial and 21st-century skills at both global and local levels. Within this partnership, ICPSD conducts research, raises awareness, provides technical advisory services for programme design and implementation, and implements capacity-building activities.
A key initiative under this collaboration is theย Global Support Programme for HP LIFE, which aims to advance entrepreneurial skills development worldwide. HP LIFE, a free IT and business skills training program, offers over 30 courses in eight languages and is accessible online, offline, and in person. The programme equips entrepreneurs, business owners, and lifelong learners with the skills needed to foster entrepreneurship and build sustainable business ecosystems. The Global Support Programme strengthens local capacities by offering training and resources tailored to diverse regional needs.ย
Another significant initiative is ICPSDโsย Virtual Digital Business Pre-Incubation Initiative (VDBI), designed to empower entrepreneurs by bridging the gap between ideation and incubation. It delivers the services through a virtual format, ensuring accessibility for entrepreneurs across diverse regions. VDBI emphasizes practical learning through workshops, masterclasses, and networking sessions, helping participants develop viable business models and prepare for incubation programs.
To further enhance its capacity-building efforts, ICPSD and the HP Foundation are preparing to launch aย Global Mentorship and Coaching Initiative. This programme will focus on fostering entrepreneurship by connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced mentors and coaches, strengthening the ecosystem for entrepreneurial development.
To support the management and implementation of these programs and partnerships, ICPSD is seeking anย Entrepreneurship Research and Partnership Analyst.ย
Duties and Responsibilities
The Entrepreneurship Research and Partnership Analyst will apply conceptual models, policy frameworks, and precedents to assess the objectives, projects, or service demands within the Entrepreneurship track. The incumbent will be responsible for analyzing requirements and synthesizing proposals, projects, and/or service options that address the identified demands effectively. They will be responsible for the following functions:
Maintenance of Global Support Programme for HP LIFE:
Maintain a network of trainers (trained under Global Support Programme), design, and implement the community of practice activities. Contribute to building/developing new partnerships to expand the coverage of the programme, and to localize HP LIFE experience in different regions and countries. Maintain existing partnerships under the programme and ensure partner capacities are strengthened through programme activities. Develop customized concept notes, and proposals for effective implementation according to specific needs of partner institutions. Maintain a pool of UNDP trainers to design and implement effective training for partner institutions.Ensuring the implementation of the strategies of ICPSD in the private sector-led skills development area as per the following:
Analyze and synthesize proposals on the areas for support and interventions within this thematic area. Contribute to the facilitation of partnerships, and regularly cover industry related stories and their development impact through briefs, news items, and blogposts. Prepare inputs for reporting, including reporting to higher level management of ICPSD. Conduct financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of ICPSD activities under the skills development thematic area, as well as identify operational and financial problems, and develop solutions. Contribute to team building and human resources development in the practice, and support onboarding of team members, consultants, and interns when neededSupporting the team in the creation of strategic partnerships, and implementation of the resource mobilization:
Establish and maintain a pipeline and portfolio of partnerships, and actively work for the realization of the partnership objectives. Identify relevant private sector initiatives and partnerships, prepare and present the partnerships for approval and endorsement, as well as finalize contribution agreements, determine required revisions, coordinate mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, and close related activities through review.ย Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, actively contribute to the overall office effort in resource mobilization for skills development thematic area. Facilitate the implementation of communication, advocacy, and outreach activities and events, ensuring alignment with UNDP respective guidelines. Create linkages with stakeholders to enhance the impact of advocacy activities.Providing top quality advisory services on private sector engagement in skills design and delivery to the relevant stakeholders, ensuring facilitation of partnership-related knowledge building and management as per the following:ย
Identify sources of information related to the thematic area. Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned that are linked to the thematic area. Apply conceptual models in support of partnership and intervention design. Support the implementation of projects, and realization of the objectives of partnerships. Maintain a network of partnerships, and manage relationships with partners, practitioners, and other stakeholders to introduce and promote innovative service offerings of ICPSD including AI, Climate Tech Entrepreneurship, 3D printing, low-code/no-code platforms, remote work, and entrepreneurship in creative industries such as gaming and esports. Organize events and trainings in the thematic area.Supporting the implementation and management of the Virtual Digital Business Pre-Incubation Initiative (VDBI), as per the following:
Ensure the VDBI is accessible to entrepreneurs worldwide, with a focus on increasing participation from underrepresented regions. Identify outreach strategies that successfully onboard diverse cohorts, achieving inclusivity targets. Expand the initiativeโs impact by establishing/strengthening strategic partnerships with technology providers, educational institutions, and private sector actors. Ensure partner engagement and satisfaction through regular communication and integration of their resources into activities. Build and sustain an active online community platform that promotes knowledge-sharing and collaboration among participants and trainers. Produce timely and comprehensive reports detailing key achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for future iterations.Supporting the implementation and management of the Mentorship and Coaching programme as per the following:
Establish the foundational structure of the initiative, including frameworks for mentor-mentee engagement, roles, and expectations. Design clear operational guidelines, toolkits, and processes to ensure efficiency and long-term viability. Develop /implement a targeted outreach strategy to onboard a diverse and qualified pool of mentors and mentees from global and regional networks. Facilitate periodic training sessions for mentors to enhance their effectiveness and alignment with objectives. Facilitate automation systems to match mentors and mentees strategically, leading to measurable improvements in entrepreneurial capacity and participant satisfaction. Contribute to building partnerships with relevant organizations to integrate the initiative into existing entrepreneurship ecosystems, ensuring long-term support. Contribute to designing a scalable and replicable model that allows the initiative to operate independently with minimal external support. Promote the initiative to potential stakeholders, enhancing its reputation and attracting further partnerships and funding.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Entrepreneurship Research andย Partnerships Analyst will work under the general guidance of the Deputy Director, direct supervision of the Technical Specialist, and in close collaboration with the other ICPSD team members.ย
Competencies
Business Direction and Strategyย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Entrepreneurial Thinkingย ย ย ย ย ย ย ยIdentify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDPโs organizational priorities and mandate.
Systems ThinkingAbility 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.
Business Managementย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Portfolio ManagementAbility 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 with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Partnerships Managementย ย ย ย ย ย ย ยBuild and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
External Relations & Advocacy, Partnership Management ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ยKnowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.
Resource mobilizationย ย ย ย ย ย ย ยAbility to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirementsย ย ย
Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Management, Business/Public Administration, International Development, Economic Development, Social, Political and Management Sciences, or related field is required.
OR
โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
ย ย Minimum of 2 years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant professional experience in programme/project coordination/ management/ partnership development is requiredRequired skills/experience ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Proficiency in office packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint), collaboration software and tools (Microsoft Teams), and experience in handling of web-based management systems are required.
Desired skills/experience ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in designing or implementing initiatives that support entrepreneurship/ workforce development, start-ups, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), or innovation hubs, preferably those aimed at empowering underserved communities or youth entrepreneurs.
โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in conducting research studies, policy briefs, or knowledge products related to private sectors role in development, entrepreneurship, workforce development, private sector engagement, or capacity building.
โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in creating concept notes, frameworks, or proposals that inform policy/ programme/project design for partners.ย
โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in securing project funding, grants, or sponsorships from international or private sector sources.
โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Experience in managing small scale teams of trainers, volunteers, interns, etc.
โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Previous experience in UN/UNDP/International organizations.
Required Language(s) ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
ย โข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Fluency in English, and Turkish is required.ย
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Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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