Policy Research and Engagement Associate

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

For over five decades, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has worked in close partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to provide strategic support in crisis prevention and recovery, governance, poverty reduction, environment, and sustainable development. In light of Sri Lanka’s post-conflict economic development trajectory, the drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda, and, more recently, the shocks to the country due to the Easter Attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, the GoSL and UNDP have been working in tandem to address key national development challenges. To support the UNDP Country Office (CO) in addressing these complex development challenges, UNDP’s Policy and Engagement (P&E) team consists of four central service functions which cut across the UNDP CO, UN agencies, the Government and other stakeholders, and facilitate a whole-of-society and whole-of-Government approach: ▪ Innovation – Realising and advocating for UNDP Sri Lanka’s investments in design thinking, experimentation, implementation and integration, whilst providing a platform for innovation through the Citra Social Innovation Lab. ▪ Communications – Promoting UNDP’s work to external partners, positioning CO visibility, as well as facilitating in-house communications within the CO. ▪ Partnerships – Scanning horizons for likeminded stakeholders to forge strategic partnerships to advance & accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. ▪ SDG Policy – SDG Integration among all UN Agencies, Economic Intelligence Analysis and Innovative Financing Advisory. ▪ Gender – Ensure a gender lens on all interventions, considering gender mainstreaming cuts across all UNDP’s project and programmes

Each UN Volunteer, under the direct supervision of the Policy & Engagement Team Leader, Senior Economist, SDG Integration Specialist or the Policy and Engagement Analyst respectively will: • Provide research inputs and data analysis; with specialist focus on Policy, Partnerships, Economics and SDG integration. • Support the development of new initiatives, partnerships and ways of thinking to promote efficient and effective delivery of programmes, based on research and best global practices. • Support the development of knowledge and sharing processes at the project level by documenting lessons learnt, best practices, case studies and stories, processes and challenges. • Provide coordination support where required, particularly in facilitating and coordinating meetings between government partners, UN agencies, development partners, and the private sector. • Support other relevant processes and tasks – substantive, coordination, administrative and financial.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement

national and/or international level in research, coordination and project administrative work. Experience related to the development sector is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Experience conducting research, with knowledge in data analysis; • Good organizational skills; • Excellent communication, coordination and interpersonal skills; • Excellent oral and written skills, particularly excellent drafting and reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, especially Excel, Word and Power Point, and knowledge of new technologies would be an added advantage; • Experience working in cross-cultural environments is an asset - culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, 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; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Colombo is situated on the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. The climate is fairly temperate throughout the year but humidity is usually high. From March to April the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfall occurs. Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations on 14 December 1955. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.