Policy Specialist - Home-based

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) serves as UNDP’s principal channel to external partners and stakeholders, playing a critical role in mobilizing resources, forging strategic partnerships, and advancing advocacy and communications in support of UNDP’s mandate. Embedded within BERA, the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC), through its Joint Support Team (JST) co-hosted by UNDP and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), stands as the leading multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to promoting effectiveness and accountability across all forms of development cooperation. The GPEDC convenes a diverse range of actors—including governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, the private sector, trade unions, and parliamentarians—to champion and implement the principles of effective development cooperation: country ownership, focus on results, inclusive partnerships, and mutual accountability. Anchoring these efforts is the GPEDC’s Monitoring Rounds, which provides a critical, evidence-based framework to assess progress and inform global policy dialogue.

The upcoming 2025 Busan Forum, scheduled for 30 September to 1 October 2025, will be a landmark event, hosted by the Republic of Korea. Occurring shortly after the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in June in Sevilla, the Forum will leverage FfD4 outcomes to guide strategic discussions on the future of effective development cooperation.

Scope of Work

The Policy and Coordination Specialist will play a pivotal role in both the substantive and operational delivery of the Busan Forum 2025 and its related events, working under the guidance of the GPEDC Team Leader and in close collaboration with the Joint Support Team (JST) and key partners. As an integral member of the UNDP-led component of the JST, the Policy Specialist will be responsible for the end-to-end coordination of the Busan Forum, including the preparation of programme, substantive materials, execution of the event, and subsequent follow-up. The Policy Specialist will carry out these duties in close collaboration with UNDP’s Seoul Policy Centre, and BERA’s partnership team, as well as the UNDP Geneva Office.                                    

In particular, the Policy and Coordination Specialist will:

B) Support Stakeholder coordination for the Busan Forum.

Under the guidance of the GPEDC Team Leader , serve as focal point for coordination with RoK, OECD, GPEDC Co-Chairs, UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, and JST members. Facilitate the engagement of partner countries, with a particular emphasis on amplifying the voices of developing countries. Support the organisation and facilitation of a 30th Steering Committee Meeting (SCM30) on the margins of the Busan Forum. Support  OECD-DAC on convening a complementary meeting with South-East Asian providers.

C) Provision of  Operational and Procurement Support

Collaborate with the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre and BERA teams to support Forum logistics, including venue procurement, budget management, and vendor contracting. Provide administrative support for Forum and SCM30 preparations. Contribute to procurement in line with UNDP/UN system rules and regulations. 

D) Facilitate Knowledge Management and Communication

Lead on preparation of communications materials including session briefs, speaker bios, and social media content Contribute to updates of GPEDC website content and development of a Highlights Report post-Forum. Support JST-led efforts to disseminate lessons and knowledge products emerging from the Forum.

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 Policy Specialist will report directly to the GPEDC Team Leader (BERA) and coordinate closely with JST partners, RoK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, OECD-DAC, and UNDP Seoul Policy Centre. The Policy Specialist will also liaise with the wider UNDP BERA partnerships team and UNDP regional and country offices as necessary.

Competencies

Core 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 Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management Partnerships Management Build 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  Business Management Communication

Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 

Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Communications Campaign Management Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change Digital Innovation Creative Facilitation

 Ability to design workshops that considers and addresses multiple interests, agendas, worldviews; set out clear objectives and engaging activities; select appropriate tools, materials, resources that are needed to enable or support the activities. 

Ability to swiftly build rapport with participants and create a safe space (on- and offline) where they feel comfortable to share their views, concerns, experiences and reflections; supporting this with a range of tools to stimulate active participation. 

Ability to facilitate inclusive  conversations, ability to work with a diverse set of people with different backgrounds, seniority and expert levels, using different approaches tailored to fit the people in the room, drawing out the perspectives and ideas of each individual and making decisions through deliberation and discussion across a group.

Ability to pace a session, adjust to the abilities and energy levels of attendees and the nature or purpose of an exercise. Being flexible and able to improvise; adapting and changing approaches in response to the needs, while staying true to the intent and objectives of the session

📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

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 Business Direction and 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

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Education Requirements:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Public Administration, Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, or related field is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience:      

Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in International Development 

Required skills            

Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement experiences, especially with governments and multilateral actors. Experience in any of the areas of development cooperation, development effectiveness, aid management. Proven experience in project and budget management.  Experience leading or supporting the organization of conferences and workshops, preferably with the United Nations or international organization. Proficiency in MS Office Suite and relevant digital platforms.

Desired Skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

Demonstrated experience with GPEDC, OECD, or UNDP-supported platforms Familiarity with UNDP and broader UN System procurement and financial procedures  Proven experience in strong service orientation and cultural sensitivity. Experience in designing communications materials including updating website and social media content, during the Forum Proven experience in drafting  concept notes, session agendas, briefing materials, speaking points, and post-event reports 

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN language is desirable.  Knowledge of Korean as third language can be an asset.

Travel

Official travel to Busan, South Korea, for the Forum and associated SCM will be supported by UNDP following UNDP travel guidelines and upon agreement during the assignment.

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. 

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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