Strategic Expert on Innovation

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

• At least 4 sessions delivered on UN2.0 and Quintet of Change to help establish a strong foundation amongst DCO ROAP, RCP and RCs/RCOs/UNCT. • Develop a guide capturing good practices and lessons learned on mainstreaming Quintet of Change and UN2.0 vision across programme, policy and operational efficiencies with a specific focus on the six (6) transitions and four (4) engine rooms. • Strategic communication and knowledge management products to raise awareness and connect work being done secure the buy-in from all relevant stakeholders, especially those that will lead on the various aspects of the quintet of change workstreams. • Contribute to talking points and background notes and other relevant written products. • Support the Thailand OMT co-chairs with BOS implementation to deliver on efficiency gains. This will involve the following: o Provide coordination support for the OMT to implement BOS objectives though follow-up, review, and monitoring & reporting activities. o Provide the OMT with secretariat, substantive, and logistical backstopping support to consultative meetings on Business Operations Strategies Policy and other meetings. o Provide guidance to the OMT Secretariat UN Volunteer in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinators Office in Thailand. o Support the OMT co-chairs with the implementation of other Efficiency Agenda workstreams (CBO and Common Premises) and how an efficient local operational support contributes to better programme delivery.

Work Location

Bangkok

Expected duration

Duration • DCO: From February to July 2024, up to 16 days per month for the duration of initially a 6-month period (contract extension is subject to funding availability). The daily rate is set to USD 350, based on an 8-hour workday. • OMT: From February to December 2024, up to 5 days a month for the duration of up to 12 months at a daily rate of USD 350.00, based on an 8-hour workday, total contractual amount not exceeding USD 21,000.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background In December 2017, the Secretary-General (SG) presented a vision to reposition the UN development system to better respond to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.1 The focus was on improving the overall effectiveness, accountability, and cohesion of the UN development system’s collective results on the ground. The SG anticipated that the proposed measures could achieve cost avoidance that could enhance development activities. Building on the progress of structural reforms, in September 2023, the Secretary General launched a wider UN 2.0 quintet of change. UN 2.0 signifies a transformation towards a more agile, diverse, responsive, and impactful operational framework – to accelerate systemic shifts that deliver for all. Prioritizing actions that deliver tangible value rather than altering the missions and mandates of UN entities. The quintet of change covers data, innovation, digital, foresight, and behavioral science expertise. In the coming period Resident Coordinators (RC), the backbone of the UN's development system to translate global commitments into effective action are asked to: - Amplify impact as a global network that can support Member States in advancing new skills, strategies and solutions everywhere – and help to put the world on a path to resilience and sustainability - Cultivate thought leadership and innovation that create sustainable benefits for people and planet. - Further develop digital expertise and shift to digitally enabled solutions that improve connectivity, service delivery, collaboration and decision-making. - Leverage strategic foresight through structured methods to navigate change, imagine better futures and make better decisions today. - Fostering our knowledge of behavioral science - how people act and make decisions – to create better choices that work with, not against, the grain of human nature. Within this context the Development Coordination Office (DCO) Asia Pacific looks to identify an expert consultant to assist in strengthening the programming, policy and operational efficiencies portfolios through mainstreaming the quintet of change and theUN2.0 vision. This will enable DCO at the regional level to be better equipped with the necessary tools, knowledge and skills-set that will further enhance its capabilities to support the Regional Collaboration Platform (RCP) and the RC system at the country level especially within the priorities of the six (6) Transitions and four (4) engine rooms. The consultant will report to the Team Leader under the overall leadership of the Regional Director. In the context of the UN in Thailand, the Consultant will work with the Operations Management Team (OMT), comprised of Operations focal points, together with a National UN Volunteer. The Consultant will focus on BOS implementation as Secretariat to the OMT, and report to the co- Chairs with overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strengthen DCO Asia Pacific’s ability to ground UN2.0 and Quintet of Change at the regional and country level, and actively identifying opportunities to mainstream these including through the Regional Collaborative Platform. a) Support RCs in the region to enhance UNCT ownership and understanding of the UN 2.0 workstream. Collaborate closely with RCs and their teams regarding the identification and coordination of targeted priority areas of the quintet of change.

b) Assist and empower RCOs to strengthen their Knowledge Management mechanisms through testing of targeted pilot solutions to heighten streamlined workflow gains across identified areas.

2. Strengthen DCO Asia Pacific team level collaborative platforms to nurture a culture for change. a) Support peer-to-peer exchanges especially on opportunities to spread and scale up common solutions by sharing with other regional offices and leverage existing communities of practice by fostering a strong knowledge management network.

Qualifications/special skills

Corporate Competencies o Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards o Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN DCO o Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability o Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Technical Competencies o Ability to fully identify areas of effective development supported by current teams o Ability to analyze and review strategic plans o Analytic capacity and demonstrated ability to process, analyze and synthesize complex, technical information o Knowledge of the Efficiency Agenda and coordinating implementation of common country solutions

Communication o Communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a simple and concise manner.

Professionalism o Capable of working in a high-pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously o Excellent analytical and organizational skills

Teamwork o Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks o Focuses on results for the client o Welcomes constructive feedback

Development and Operational Effectiveness o Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting o Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects

Education o Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in Development, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Management, or a related field

Work experience o A minimum of five years of working experience in a relevant field

Languages

o Fluency in English is required

Additional Information

Not available.

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.