Strategic Foresight Senior Analyst

Contract

This is a P-2 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 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 57,661 USD and 78,318 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.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the project activities for UN Global Pulse

SG Lab Futures Initiative

UN Global Pulse is the UN Secretary-General’s innovation lab. Originally established in 2009 to harness the power of big data and artificial intelligence to protect the vulnerable during crises, UN Global Pulse operates as a globally distributed network advancing innovation in the UN’s work for people and planet. These terms of reference are the result of a strategic realignment of the UN’s innovation ecosystem, overseen by the Secretary-General’s Executive Office and a cross-pillar review team, to maximize its impact. Going forward, UN Global Pulse will serve as the Secretary-General’s cross-pillar lead and hub for experimentation and digital innovation in support of leadership priorities and in advancement of the UN Charter.

UN Global Pulse works with digital innovation, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes. UNGP’s vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves people, advances their sustainable development, and protects the planet’. Our mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The goals of UNGP are: i) Advance digital innovations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, respond effectively to crises, and address emerging global challenges; ii) Facilitate development of global frameworks that maximize the impact of digital innovation, minimize the risk of harm, and create pathways to scale and sustainability; and iii) Support the transformation of the UN family into a more dynamic and resilient ‘next-generation’ institution.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Key Results Expected

To achieve its goals, Global Pulse is recruiting a Strategic Foresight Analyst based in UN Global Pulse Finland. The role contributes to catalyzing transformation in the UN. It will do so by strengthening the anticipatory capacities, supporting the understanding of emerging issues as well as their impacts on the UN’s mandates and priorities, and collaborating closely with diverse internal and external partners. The incumbent will identify and apply foresight methodologies, tools and processes to tackle challenges across the UN Family, connecting human rights, peace and security and development.

The incumbent will support the development of a new foresight workstream under the SG Lab Futures Initiative. This includes substantive and technical support and elaboration and implementation of value-adding foresight concepts, services, and processes. The incumbent will support gradual development of standing foresight capacity and coordinate foresight experiments. S(he) will also support alignment of activities with UNGP’s wider performance indicators and the strategic priorities of the Executive Office of Secretary General (EOSG).

The role will collaborate with contributors within and outside of the UN Family. It will elicit research questions from a diversity of stakeholders and contribute to planning and implementation of sensing and scanning activities. Using wide data sets and working with a wide range of people and organizations, the role will identify trends and patterns from which it will develop insights and products supporting decision making.

The incumbent will apply cross-disciplinary approaches with inter alia data & behavioral scientists, service design & policy experts applying quantitative and qualitative methods in a complementary manner. S(he) will also participate in providing inputs to guidelines and policies that promote and incorporate ethical and safe practices.

The role will provide support coordination and collaboration across the UN Global Pulse network and UN agencies funds and programmes and member state governments to promote cross-network projects, learning and operations, resource mobilization and partnerships development, as required.

Occasional travel and field missions may be required, as conditions allow.

Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Strategic Foresight Officer and will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Coordination and Technical Support

   2. Analysis and Strategic Development
   3. Knowledge creation, capacity building and reporting
   4. Communication and partnerships

   1. Coordination and technical support

   • Support to the management & coordination of strategic foresight experiments including elaboration of concepts and experiments with internal and external partners, planning, and facilitating co-creation sessions and implementation.
   • Provide substantive inputs and technical expertise across the foresight value chain including data aggregation & scanning, analysis & sensemaking, insight generation and visualization.
   • Provide support in various contractual procurement tasks as required;

2. Analysis and Strategic Development - Support strategic integration of insight, carrying out analysis and research work independently and as a part of a broader team; - Carry out research to monitor the needs, trends and developments within a broader strategic foresight ecosystem, to further development of the evolving workstream; - Support foresight product roadmaps, and contextualization, sustainable uptake and continuous development of new foresight offerings and services ensuring their integration in the working level practices;

3. Knowledge creation, capacity building and reporting - Support foresight capacity development tasks, including documentation of best practices, developing cross-network tools and resources, training, and providing inputs to guideline and policy development as required; - Support Monitoring & Evaluation, Portfolio Impact Management and reporting;

4. Communication and Partnerships - Contribute to strategic communications, partnerships development, resource mobilisation, and expert ecosystem development in the substantive area; - Support events, workshops and conferences as required;

5. Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

IV. Impact of Results

Support UN leadership, including country operations, in accessing futures and foresight capacity to identify emerging risks and opportunities, develop mitigation strategies, and inform strategic planning contributing to the overall vision and mission of the UN Global Pulse.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

***** FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY** * CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education:** - Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) preferably in international development, computational social sciences, social sciences, behavioural sciences, economics, interaction design, journalism, or another relevant discipline. - A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience: Required - At least two (2) years of relevant work experience in programme or product management, particularly in the areas of strategic foresight, innovation, data, development, innovation or design research, digital development or other related fields. - At least one (1) year of experience on futures and foresight work in organisational settings.

Desirable (The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply):

• Experience working in a developing country context.
• Experience working in the humanitarian and development sectors, including experience in international organisations or government contexts or sub-government entities, such as think tanks or innovation accelerators.
• Experience delivering high-quality research, analysis preferably covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, and communicating the insights through accessible multimedia formats for action and results.
• Ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects, including with government, universities, UN organisations, NGOs, and the private sector.
• Experience in strategic communication and community management.
• Experience working with agile project management and portfolio management.

Language Requirements: - Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required. - Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract level: P2 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Sustainable Development Cluster

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.