Inter-Regional Adviser on Inclusive Social Development

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 The post is located in the Capacity Development and Partnerships Coordination Section of the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Inter-Regional Advisor (IRA) is supervised by the Chief of the Capacity Development and Partnerships Coordination Section.

The Division is mandated to provide strategic and policy support to governments with the implementation of the 2030 Development Agenda, the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) and the 24th Special United Nations General Assembly, implementation of the 3rd United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty, the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), strengthening the work of governments in the implementation of the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) with the inclusion of the social perspective as well as key internationally agreed norms and standards relating to social development. These include the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, the World Plan of Action on Youth, the UN Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace as well as the Kazan Action Plan.

The primary responsibility of the IRA is the provision of high-level technical expertise and capacity building services to governments on eradication of poverty in framework of the implementation of the 3rd United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty with specific policies aimed at poverty alleviation, the social dimension and health perspective in parts of sub-Saharan Africa in the post-pandemic world, promoting social cooperatives and the digital perspective of social development and digital literacy for social inclusion, including e-learning.

The IRA will be required to develop methodologies and tools for poverty eradication that address inequalities, promote inclusive social development in the post pandemic world and consider the social consequences of climate change to achieve SDGs, by promoting intergenerational solidarity, social cohesion and equity through the transfer of and best practices, through capacity building programmes and projects, e-learning and digital technologies.

The IRA must have the ability to perform multiple tasks on a variety of complex social inclusion issues, and constantly work in partnership across the Division towards the achievement of the Leaving No One Behind goal. The IRA advises and supports the Director in the work of the Division on understanding country needs, capacities and capabilities in devising programmes and policies to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The IRA is also expected to support, where applicable, resource mobilisation efforts at the Division and Department level.

The IRA is a member of DESA’s IRA Network. The services of the IRA need to comply with intergovernmental guidance on the use of the Regular Programme on Technical Cooperation (RPTC), when appropriate, and with strategies and guidance concerning capacity development activities endorsed by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and supported by the Capacity Development Programme Management Office.

Responsibilities Within the delegated authority, the IRA:

• Transfers his/her technical expertise and knowledge to enhance the Division’s capacity development work on poverty eradication, the social dimension of health perspective in Sub-Saharan Africa, social cooperatives, digital inclusion, and the implementation of NEPAD focussing on specific issues to achieve SDGs through projects and programmes that address inequalities by promoting social cohesion and intergenerational equity;
• Provides technical expertise in person or online to Governments and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries and low and middle-income countries upon their request on emerging issues such as digital inclusion and financial inclusion from the social perspective that will contribute to achieving SDGs with a focus on specific social groups;
• Contributes to the design/redesign of national programmes and action plans on on poverty eradication, social dimension of health perspective in Sub-Saharan Africa, social cooperatives, digital inclusion, the implementation of NEPAD upon requests from developing countries and low and middle-income countries;
• Monitors, studies and analyzes the trends and best practices on the poverty eradication policies and programmes, health programs from inclusive social development perspective and formulates capacity building programmes and projects;
• Provides guidance in the design of capacity development programmes, projects, training workshops and e-learning activities on poverty eradication, the implementation of NEPAD, social dimension of health perspective and cooperatives for inclusive social development at national, regional and global level;
• Ensures 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;
• Develops and updates training materials, including for online training and e-learning for the areas covered in capacity development activities for the use by different stakeholders;
• Makes substantive contributions to global/regional/sub-regional/national workshops, seminars, colloquia, other training events, including proposals concerning agenda topics, possible participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.;
• Contributes to the Department's resource mobilization strategies, notably as far as extrabudgetary funding is concerned;
• Establishes and nurtures close relationships with various stakeholders in view of creating partnerships and an active network on the social dimensions of sustainable development;

• Assumes other tasks in the area of inclusive social development and in line with capacity development guidance as requested by the supervisor.

  Competencies Professionalism: a) Sound knowledge and wide exposure to and experience with capacity building in the area of inclusive social development at the national, regional and international level; b) Ability to provide technical and policy advice and assistance on inclusive social development issues in person or online to intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies, Member State officials, international and other organizations including planning, evaluating and implementing strategies, policies and programmes; c) Sound analytical skills; d) Familiarity with potential donors’ (bi- and multilateral) policies and proven ability in building partnerships with national institutions and other organizations involved in the development process; e) Demonstrated original and creative thinking, independent judgment and discretion in advising on and handling major technical cooperation activities, advisory projects and related issues; f) Strong negotiation skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement on specific results/outcomes especially on challenging issues; g) Ability to work under extreme pressure; h) Excellent knowledge of the institutions of the UN system and other critical development partners at the international level and their institutional mandates and funding on social development issues; i) Demonstrated ability for extrabudgetary resource mobilization; j) Taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and insuring 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.

Client Orientation: a) Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; b) Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; c) Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; d) Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; e) Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; f) Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Vision: a) Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; b) Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; c) Generates and communicates broad and compelling organization direction, inspiring others to pursue the same direction; d) Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Building Trust: a) Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; b) Manages in a deliberate and predictable way; c) Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; d) Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; e) Gives proper credit to others; f) Follows through on agreed upon actions; g) Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Education Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, economics or related area.

Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the area of inclusive social development is required.

At least 5 years of experience in advisory roles working in developing countries, preferably in more than one region, is required.

Experience in mobilizing resources is required.

Experience in training and capacity building for governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations is required.

Experience in participatory and qualitative methodologies is required.

Experience in project planning, project proposal development and implementation is required.

Experience in organizing virtual seminars and training workshops is desirable.

Experience in the work and operational activities of the United Nations development system is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and another UN Official language are required. Knowledge of an additional UN Official language is an advantage.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by 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 the Departmental Panel on the continued need for the technical specialty depending on updates to DESA’s mandates and priorities in the area of capacity development, and the 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. 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.

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.