Inter-regional Adviser in Innovation and Digital Government for Public Service Delivery

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Programme Management and Capacity Development Unit (PMCDU) in the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). DPIDG focuses on supporting countries in improving effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels for internationally agreed developed goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Responsibilities The incumbent will be responsible for providing policy advice and developing capacities for improving approaches and performance in public service delivery, including through digital government, with a special focus on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the principles of Leaving No One Behind. Within delegated authority, the duties of the incumbent include the following:

- Conduct needs assessment related to public service delivery and digital government for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the principle to leave no one behind, including in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and other countries in special situations. Support countries, upon their request, to develop capacity to (a) design and apply enhanced approaches to public service delivery, notably by improving the quality, access, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness of public services in areas related to the SDGs; (b) use innovative modalities for delivering public services to all, including by mobilizing ICTs through various initiatives and through digital government tools, with a particular focus on leaving no one behind; (c) develop innovative partnerships for service delivery, including through cooperation with the private sector and civil society organizations; and (d) ensure that people participate in decision making, implementation and evaluation of public service delivery, including through e-participation;

- Assist in the preparation and facilitation of high level events aimed at situation analysis and other training activities in the field of public administration and public service delivery for SDGs, especially in countries in special situations; make substantive contributions to global/regional/subregional/national workshops, seminars, other training events;

- Monitor, study and analyse the trends and good practices in public sector performance in the delivery of public services and prepare policy advisory notes to inform governments and contribute to the intergovernmental processes. Distil knowledge from the national and regional levels to inform the global intergovernmental processes, analytical products of the Division as well as DESA's capacity development work, including through the preparation of reports, policy papers, substantive inputs to publications, case studies, training modules, online courses, etc.;

- Provide leadership in the design of capacity development programmes, projects and activities and contribute to implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting on these initiatives/projects;

- Undertake, as requested, official missions and/or utilize alternative methods, such as videoconference, audioconference or other remote business practices, such as online meetings, prepare strategy documents, final substantive reports, technical notes, setting out the findings of his/her mission and his/her recommendations to the Government through the Department including further actions which might be taken.

- Design responses, help to elaborate projects and mobilise funds from various donors to support the implementation of projects, particularly for countries in special situations.

- Ensure implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.

- Undertake other duties as assigned by the Director of the Division and Chief of Unit.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

- Counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in relevant UN Secretariat entities and in UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies.

- Representatives and officials in national governments, international organizations, consultants.

- Academia and think thanks working on public service delivery for sustainable development issues.

Expected outputs:

- Provision of sound and innovative advice to governments and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries.

- The advice provided will cover a wide range of issues, including developing strategies for issues on a long-term and large-scale basis in the best interest of clients and /or, as appropriate of the organization.

- Written outputs (mission reports, policy papers, technical materials etc.)

- Other expected outputs include, as appropriate, complex papers, analytical reports, toolkits, guidance notes, project proposals, and, upon request, substantive sections of reports and studies, publications, etc.

Competencies •Professionalism: Expert knowledge of concepts, principles, practices of public administration and sustainable development, particularly in the effective delivery of public services in critical areas related to the SDGs; expert knowledge of the capacity development and needs of public administrations in this regard and knowledge of the use of ICT in pursuing the SDGs and delivering services; knowledge of issues related to sustainable development especially at country level; proven ability to produce reports and papers on substantive issues; experience interacting with senior officials and fund raising skills; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

•Communication: a) Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; b) listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; c) asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; d) tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; e) demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•Creativity: a) Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; b) offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; c) promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; d) takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; e) takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; f) is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public administration, public affairs, sustainable development studies, international relations, political science or related field.

Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in providing advisory services in public administration and public service delivery including through the use of ICTs and innovation in support of SDGs is required. Experience in designing and implementing capacity development activities and/or project management advice related to innovative public service delivery is required. Experience in working with senior government officials is required. International experience in public service reforms, digital government , strategic analysis, policy and programme formulation and public sector institutional restructuring is desirable. Experience in devising advisory services related to public service delivery that engage multi-stakeholders and promote public-private partnerships is desirable. Five yeas of Field experience is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and either Arabic, French or Spanish is required. Fluency in an additional official UN language is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice This Job Opening refers to a specialized interregional adviser position. The initial appointment is for one year. Annual renewal of appointment is subject to endorsement by an internal Departmental Panel on the continued need for the technical specialty depending on updates to DESA's priorities in the area of capacity development, and availability of funds. The functional requirements will be reassessed after five years. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. This vacancy is subject to availability of post and funds. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note. The United Nations as a Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.