Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Remote | Ankara
Grade: Junior level – IPSA-8, International Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Scientist and Researcher
Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: 2024-08-01
Background
Only applicants who complete and upload a filled in will be reviewed.
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crises and to drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives, build resilient nations, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable Development Goals represent the global consensus for the comprehensive and ambitious 2030 Agenda. The level of ambition and the need for resources to reach the targets necessitate innovations to increase efficiency, and partnerships for effective use of existing resources as well as growing them.
As a major effort to finance SDGs and in order to streamline its financial and investment engagement, UNDP launched the Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH), a finance and innovation platform, that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives, and partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of resources for the SDGs and lead the implementation of the new UNDP private sector strategy and other initiatives. The Hub is an integral part of both the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), as well as part of the GPN. The Hub serves as a connector, broker and global coordinator among internal and external actors; curates and manages UNDP’s catalogue of service offers on SDG financing to governments, investors and companies, via the COs, to significantly enhance the scale and impact of UNDP’s work.
Through SFH, UNDP’s Istanbul Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD), one of the five Global Thematic Policy Centers of UNDP, acts as an enabler for the private sector and foundations to become more active partners in development, encouraging them through policy advice and technical services on how to contribute towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. ICPSD was established in 2011 in partnership with the Government of Türkiye. The Center’s work to engage foundations and the private sector focuses on delivering policy advice and technical services in four thematic areas:
Private Sector Engagement through South-South Cooperation for the SDGs
Private Sector Engagement in Digital Transformation and Skills Development
SDG Financing and Private Sector Development
Resilience and Crisis Response
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the ICPSD’s Islamic Finance Portfolio Lead, the Research and Programme Analyst will support the production of reports and knowledge management activities of in Islamic finance portfolios; toolkit and training development initiatives of the center, cooperation, technical advisory and implementation assistance offered to other UNDP units, including COs and RBx. The Research and Programme Analyst will support coordinating, managing and implementing the Islamic finance activities ongoing and planned under GIFIIP, as well as the broader Islamic finance projects of the Center and will be working closely with Islamic Finance Portfolio Lead.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of and reporting directly to the UNDP Islamic Finance Portfolio Lead/ Projet Manager the Research and Programme Analyst will be responsible for performing and contributing to the following:
1) Ensure implementation of the strategies of ICPSD on the private sector’s role in Islamic finance in the following areas:
Conduct thorough research and prepare analysis of the role of the private sector in Islamic finance and inclusive business, focusing on good practices and lessons learned that enhance inclusive growth.
Conduct research and support preparation of high-quality policy and programme guidance material on innovative financing mechanisms, Islamic finance ecosystem and inclusive business models.
Prepare analysis and synthesis of proposals on the areas for support and interventions within these thematic areas.
Conduct the necessary internal procedures related to editing, design, and clearance of documents and advocacy materials.
Contribute to the facilitation of partnerships and regularly cover industry-related stories and their development impact through briefs and blogposts.
2) Participate in the effective formulation, management and evaluation of knowledge management activities of Islamic finance and inclusive business thematic areas:
Participate in the design and formulation of ICPSD activities within the area of responsibility, translating ICPSD’s priorities into local interventions and partnerships.
Participate in the development, design and formulation of projects focusing on quality control, from formulation to implementation of the ICPSD activities.
Monitor and evaluate knowledge management activities under Islamic finance, and prepare inputs for reporting.
Draft terms of reference for local short-term and long-term consultants and consultancies on projects’ needs and assist in the recruitment and evaluation processes based on UNDP procedures
3) Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the outreach and resource mobilization strategy:
Develop communication materials including press releases, speeches, briefs, blogposts.
Organize and coordinate roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, conferences, workshops, retreats, national and international events.
Participate in the design and formulate ICPSD activities within the area of responsibility, translating ICPSD’s priorities into local and international interventions and partnerships.
Analyze and research information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects.
Identify and link to related ongoing activities within other institutions and encourage collaboration and synergies.
Prepare any follow-on project proposals as per the needs identified by the supervisor.
Support communication, advocacy and outreach activities for smooth implementation in line with the respective guidelines of UNDP.
Represent ICPSD ISalmic Finance Team as requested by supervisor in meetings of work groups and panels, and meetings in this thematic area and relevant seminars.
4) Provision of top-quality advisory services to the relevant stakeholders and facilitation of knowledge building and management:
Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues.
Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the thematic areas.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Support trganization of trainings on the thematic area.
5) Implementation, collaboration, and monitoring of project implementation with UNDP Afghanistan Country Office:
Coordinate and communicate effectively with the UNDP Afghanistan Country Office to ensure smooth implementation of projects.
Collaborate closely with the UNDP Afghanistan CO to align project activities with organizational goals and objectives.
Monitor the implementation of projects in collaboration with the Afghanistan Country Office, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
4. Institutional Arrangement
The Research and Programme Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Islamic Finance Portfolio Lead / Project Manager.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencie:
Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.
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. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Business Acumen: Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.
Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
Required Skills and Experience
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, management, business administration, international development, international relations, political science, economic development, or related field is required, OR a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned field of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Up to 2 years (with Master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of extensive working experience in research and data analysis experience preferably in international development and economic analysis.
Experience in research, quantitative and qualitative data analysis is required.
Proven experience in research and analysis of investment trends and landscapes, private sector development, impact investing ecosystems and/or innovative financial tools and mechanisms is an asset.
Experience in drafting and finalizing high quality materials for internal and external partners including proposals and work plans, concept notes, technical and financial reports is an asset.
Experience in implementation of UNDP’s SDG Investor Maps is an asset.
Working experience in an international organization is an asset, particularly familiarity with the UN/UNDP system.
Experience in handling of web-based management systems (i.e. ERP) is an asset.
Fluency in English is required.
Fluency in Turkish and/or Dari is an advantage.