Lead Policy Designer and Innovation Specialist

Volunteering Innovation

Overview

Lead design of innovative policy solutions and support implementation of development initiatives

You have:

• Experience in policy innovation at national and/or international level, particularly in economic development strategies.
• Proven experience with innovative solutions in public or private sectors, assessed through prototyping and solution development.
• Experience in qualitative social research, human centered design, or behavioral insights.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement policy experiments and validate ideas through prototyping.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience in drafting reports and policy documents.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and familiarity with database management.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work under minimal supervision and meet deadlines.
• Interest in UNDP and volunteerism as a mechanism for development.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

This UNV Assignment is part of UNDP’s high level policy initiative, Building Opportunities for Leadership in Development (BOLD) jointly developed with the Royal Government of Bhutan to support Bhutan’s ambitious development aspirations to tenfold its economy by 2030 as well as support Bhutan’s global advocacy on climate action. BOLD will develop high-level vision and design solutions to complex development challenges with focus on high-level impact initiatives enabling accelerated sustainable and inclusive economic growth. BOLD will support the implementation of the vision through targeted strategies and a comprehensive roadmap to pivot Bhutan towards a higher growth trajectory.

A Policy Innovation Lab within the Prime Minister’s Office will be established and institutionalized as a key activity under BOLD. The Policy Innovation Lab will be housed within the Prime Minister’s Office and will work closely with different government agencies to address critical policy issues. It will respond dynamically to emerging needs by adopting holistic approaches to drive radical policy solutions that create lasting impact in key sectors. The lab will leverage data, technology, planning, monitoring and problem-solving capabilities through an inclusive, participatory approach. At its initial stage of development, to be more focused to deliver impact at scale, the lab will focus on three key core areas identified within the BOLD vision roadmap.

The Key function of the Lab includes: • Provide on-demand policy analysis and advisory support for emerging development challenges and support implementation of the BOLD roadmap • Advise the government critical development solutions and create actionable roadmaps • Create an actionable roadmap built on high-level visioning work • Support innovation and coordination efforts across various ministries • Offer analytical support and recommendations to address key delivery challenges on priority areas • Design and create prototypes to simulate policy implementation to create new public service models • Foresee challenges and tap future opportunities. This involves fostering creativity, experimentation, and strategic thinking within the government.
• Establish a collaborative environment that encourages cross-sectoral teams and free exchange of ideas.

As one of the core team members of the lab, the volunteer will work under the supervision of the Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination and Director, Office of the Prime Minister, and overall supervision of the UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative. The Volunteer will bring to the team expertise on human centred design including design thinking, other user-centered approaches, and systems thinking to the policy challenges for core areas identified in the vision roadmap. The Volunteer will also collaborate with cross-functional teams, including researchers, data scientists, technologists, and policymakers, to co-create and iterate innovative policy solutions. Key responsibilities are:

1. Provision of Advisory support • Provide advisory services and technical support to the Prime Minister's Office on critical policies using innovative tools and methods; • Provide support to agencies on logic and new directions/pivots for existing or new policies being developed through application of innovative human centered approaches. Design and Prototyping: • Lead the design of innovative policy solutions by applying design thinking, prototyping, and systems thinking methodologies; • Develop, test, and iterate prototypes to identify viable, scalable policy solutions; • Create journey maps, service blueprints, and other visual tools to inform policy development. Ensure Stakeholder Engagement: • Facilitate co-creation workshops with stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and communities; Work closely with policymakers, subject matter experts, and end-users to ensure policy designs are grounded in real-world needs and insights.

2. Provide Research and Insights: • Conduct user research and gather qualitative and quantitative data to inform policy design; • Translate research findings into actionable design principles and strategic policy recommendations. Provision of Collaboration and Communication: • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including technologists, analysts, and evaluators, to ensure that design solutions are feasible and impactful; • Communicate design insights, prototypes, and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Facilitate Capacity Building: • Support the lab in building internal capacity for design-led policy innovation through training, knowledge sharing, and mentoring.

3. Build Strategic Partnership and Resource Mobilization • Identify opportunities for resource mobilization and new partnerships and support proposal and partnership development efforts; • Develop partnerships and network with local innovators, youth organizations, NGOs, the private sector, local media and academia to build and provide a space to nurture and test new and innovative ideas, and build local capacity; • Undertake any other related actions as requested by the Prime Minister's Office.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active lab member, the volunteer is expected to deliver the following outputs:

1. Design of both long- and short-term strategic plans leveraging on innovative tools and approaches • Successful application of design thinking and user-centered approaches to create innovative policy solutions that effectively address the identified challenges in the vision roadmap. • Development and iteration of viable, scalable policy prototypes that are well-informed by real-world needs and stakeholder insights.

2. Design of policy specific projects as part of the core areas identified in the vision roadmap • Effective facilitation of co-creation workshops that engage a diverse range of stakeholders, ensuring their perspectives are integrated into policy design processes. • Strengthened collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and communities, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to policy initiatives.

3. Experimentation Design, Planning and Implementation • Design experiments, plans and implementation of critical programmes and projects within the vision roadmap • Clear translation of experimentation outcomes into scalable projects and strategic policy recommendations, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of proposed solutions.

4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing • Increased internal capacity within the Prime Minister's Office and relevant agencies for design-led policy innovation through targeted training and mentorship initiatives. • Creation of a culture of continuous learning and improvement, with staff actively engaging in knowledge sharing and applying innovative methodologies in their work. Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization • Identification and establishment of new partnerships with local innovators, youth organizations, NGOs, and the private sector, enhancing collaborative efforts to nurture and test innovative ideas. • Development of successful proposals and resource mobilization strategies that support ongoing and future policy initiatives, increasing the sustainability of design-led projects.

5. Effective Communication • Clear communication of design insights, prototypes, and policy recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring widespread understanding and support for initiatives. • Development of visual tools such as journey maps and service blueprints that facilitate stakeholder comprehension of policy processes and designs.

• Systems 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
• Innovation Management: Ability to create the strategies, conditions, structures, and systems necessary for organizational innovation; navigate uncertainty and ambiguity while managing projects based on principles of adaptation and emergence;
• Resource Mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
• Communication: Ability to 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.
• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

the national and/or international level in implementing development strategies and policies; experience with the Asia and Pacific region would be an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Proven experience and knowledge about application of innovation in solving complex issues in private or public sector (assessed through generating ideas, prototyping, and developing solutions with real impact; • Experience in areas of either qualitative social research, human centered design, user experience, behavioral insights, or futures and foresights would be an asset; demonstrated experience in conducting field or remote qualitative research is desired. • Demonstrated ability to design policy experiments, validate hypotheses and test prototypes is an asset. • Prior experience in working in an innovation lab in public or private sector would be an advantage is desired. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of diverse partners and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in the work of the UNDP, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Bhutan is a lower middle-income country1, landlocked between China and India, with an estimated population of 770,0002. A Human Development Index of 0.666 (2021)3 places it in the medium human development category, ranked 127 out of 189 countries. Rapid economic growth averaging 7.5 per cent per annum was experienced since the 1980s4. Between 2010 and 2021, the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased by 22.3 per cent to USD 11,3005. Poverty rates reduced sharply from 23 per cent in 2007 to 8 per cent in 20176, with 12.4 per cent recorded in 2022.7 Significant gains in human development, poverty reduction and living standards have been guided by Bhutan’s gross national happiness philosophy of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, inclusive social progress and cultural vibrancy, underpinned by good governance.

Despite the positive momentum, socio-economic vulnerability remains, primarily due to difficult geographical conditions, narrow economic base, dependency on limited international market for trade, and increased emigration of productive population in recent years. Bhutan is a relatively stable and peaceful country.

The capital, Thimphu, is located at an elevation of 2,334 meters where the summers are warm, and winters are chilly.

The Bhutanese currency Ngultrum is pegged with the Indian Rupees and one USD is equivalent to 82 Ngultrums approximately. In the capital, rented flats range from Nu.7000-17,000 (96 to 250 USD) while furnished apartments cost around 300 to 700 USD. Public transportation including taxis are cheap starting from 0.3 USD to 5 USD. Groceries and other food items would amount to around 300 dollars a month.

Bhutan provides free basic health and education and as per Article 9 of the Constitution of Bhutan, access to universal basic health services is free to all individuals living in the country. The country’s national language is Dzongkha but the local populace is comfortable in using English which makes day to day conversations easy.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org