UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Junior Professional Officer (JPO) JOB DESCRIPTION. I. Position Information

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1 I. Position Information JPO functional title: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Liaison Officer Main sector of assignment: Sustainable Development Goals Detailed sector of assignment: Agency: UNDP Department: Office of the Resident Coordinator Reports to: UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative Grade Level: (P2) Country and Duty Station: Armenia Duty Station status: Family (staff member and eligible family members) Duration and Type of Assignment: One-year fixed-term appointment, renewable at least once subject to satisfactory performance, recommendation by respective office and partner country agreement Position Status: Non-rotational Job Family: II. Job Purpose and Organizational Context The United Nations Resident Coordinator s Office (UN RCO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia in partnership with the Government of Armenia work to advance the national reform agenda and develop the capacities of counterparts at a national, regional and local level. Since 2016 the UN Armenia Country Team (UNCT) has been supporting and facilitating the SDGs nationalization in the country in close cooperation with the Government of Armenia. Same year an SDG Roadmap detailing the stages of the nationalization process has been elaborated and agreed with the Government of Armenia. An Inter-agency Task Force, comprising deputy ministers and heads of departments, has been established under the National Council for Sustainable Development chaired by the Prime Minister. The UNCT works closely with the Prime Minister s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to implement the roadmap. In June 2017 the Government of Armenia prepared its new medium-term development programme, which has strong synergies with the SDGs, and in addition, tasked the its reform unit Center for Strategic Initiatives (CSI) to launch preparation of a new long-term strategy (Armenia Vision 2030), which will fully embrace the SDGs as a concept and as methodological tool. To spearhead nationalization of the SDGs, the UNCT has also been working with the CSI under the Prime Minister s Office, which serves as an accelerator for the Government reform and views SDGs as a framework for their work. The CSI will host the first ever UN/UNDP SDG Innovation Lab, which will serve as a hub for data, analytics and policy recommendations and will ensure that government reforms contribute to a sustainable development path, have systems thinking at their core, and create an ecosystem for innovation and impact investment. In June 2017 the Government of Armenia expressed its interest to prepare country Voluntary National Review (VNR) to 1

2 be presented at the July 2018 High-level Political Forum. In July 2017 the UNCT Armenia together with the Government of Armenia hosted the Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policies Support (MAPS) mission, which analyzed the SDGs implementation progress and proposed, based on country context, the SDGs accelerators in economic, social, environmental and other cross-cutting areas such as governance, gender, data and M&E capacity, recommendations for strengthening institutional framework for coordination, propose financing options for SDGs, propose actions for society engagement in the SDGs, etc. All these elements will be reflected in the SDGs Roadmap, which will be produced and shared by the MAPS mission team by the end of September. The SDGs Liaison Officer will be mainly responsible for supporting the UNCT/UNDP in planning, providing strategic advice, implementation, monitoring and reporting, advocacy related issues around SDGs implementation in Armenia. He/she will be serving as a liaison working with all parties concerned to the SDGs implementation: UNCT/UNDP, Government of Armenia, CSI, SDG Innovation Lab team, development partners, private sector and civil society. The SDGs Liaison Officer will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator / UNDP Resident Representative, and in close cooperation with UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and the Head of the Office of the Resident Coordinator. 2

3 III. Supervision Name of Supervisor: Title of Supervisor: Bradley Busetto UN Resident Coordinator / UNDP Resident Representative III. Duties and Responsibilities and Output expectations In this section list the primary responsibilities of the position. Tip: Focus on what the job entails now how to do the job. (Present the main tasks specific to this assignment and output expectations during the first and second year of assignment. Include percentages for each duty.) 1) Support to strategic planning and reporting on SDGs - 60% Contribute to strategic planning, developing new joint programmes and innovative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities around SDGs (in line with the Armenia SDGs nationalization Roadmap, the National Development Strategy and the UN Development Assistance Framework. ; Keep a finger on the pulse of global developments on SDGs, innovative and contextual approaches to their implementation, novel techniques to accelerate their implementation processes. Contribute to the facilitation of dialogue between the Government, development partners, private sector and civil society on SDGs, including for monitoring and reporting on the status of implementation of the SDGs; Act as the UNCT s main focal point for the work of the SDG Innovation Lab a joint initiative of the Government of Armenia and the UN, leading the provision of substantive inputs to the Lab s work., Support the SDG Innovation Lab in forging new partnerships both locally and internationally, including with development partners, private sector, civil society, educational institutions and other interested parties through joint innovative projects; Contribute to the development of an SDG Innovation Lab model for MIC countries (based on the Armenian experience) to be replicated across the region and beyond with the vision of accelerating SDG implementation through innovative and cross-cutting solutions to pre-existing complex problems; Support the preparation of and follow-up to the voluntary reporting on SDGs in Armenia, including the Voluntary National Report to be presented at the High-level Political Forum in July 2018; Provide periodic analytical updates on SDGs progress through monitoring and reporting to the UN Country Team; Provide substantive leadership on Data and Innovation in SDGs, focusing on utilizing state-of-the art approaches, including big data, user-generated data, etc. Support the UN RCO and the UNDAF Results Groups in reporting on outcomes and outputs in the UN Development Assistance Framework ; 2) Communication and advocacy - 20% Support the efforts of the UN Communication Group in raising awareness about the UN s work on SDGs by contributing to the development of outreach materials as well as planning and implementation of awareness raising campaigns; Advocate to key stakeholders the SDGs nationalization and implementation related issues; Sensitize national and international counterparts on the operations of the SDG Innovation Lab to lay the ground for a fruitful and trusting collaboration; 3

4 Contribute to developing ideas for creative advocacy and communication campaigns on SDGs nationalization and implementation. 3) Coordination - 10% Support the inter-agency coordination, and in particular operation of the SDG Lab taskforce and VNR taskforce; Participate in/contribute to the donor coordination meetings whenever the SDGs are the discussion theme. 4) Resource mobilization for SDGs - 5% Identify catalytic areas eligible for UN support and intervention in the area of SDGs while interacting with the national stakeholders, development partners, UN agencies and civil society; Contribute to the resource mobilization efforts of the SDG Innovation Lab; Contribute to identifying new programmatic opportunities for the UN, developing concept notes and proposals for new initiatives around nationalized SDGs within the framework of the UN Development Assistance Framework for ) Other - 5% Support with organization of missions and follow-through activities around SDGs; Provide support in the implementation of the joint programmes around SDGs; Promote knowledge sharing practices around the SDGs implementation; Undertake any other responsibilities as may be assigned in relation to this position as well as perform other tasks as assigned by the UN Resident Coordinator. 4

5 IV. Competencies and Selection Criteria Description of Competency at Level Required (For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory) Core Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform Delivery Ability to get things done Technical/Functional Human Rights Knowledge of international Human Rights standards and principles and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations. Research Knowledge of various programme information for research to provide recommendation and guidance to management. Data Analysis Ability to evaluate data and derive relevant findings. Relationship Management & Partnerships Ability to engage with other agencies / parties. Gender Issues & Analysis Knowledge of Gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations. Advocacy and Representation Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues) Programme Planning & Design Develop programmes through a process. Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully. Critically assesses established methods. Contributes to prototyping, piloting, and evaluating lessons / feedback. Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others. Creates new opportunities for team, not just self to learn and take on new responsibilities. Actively shares knowledge Level 4: Models independent thinking and action. Demonstrates behaviors of teamwork, collaboration, knowledge sharing, maintaining relationships Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis. Communicates ideas and positions with command and confidence Finds common ground to solve problems Level 4: Embraces difficult obstacles that interfere with getting work done 5

6 Resource Mobilization Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources. 6

7 V. Recruitment Qualifications Education: Experience: Master s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in human rights, political science, social sciences, public administration, development studies or a related field of expertise. 1. A minimum of two years of relevant working experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting; 2. Experience in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Language Requirements: Fluent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Russian or Armenian would be an asset. Other desirable education, Required computer skills in a standardized language languages and work Knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development experience: Familiarity with the innovative tools of development programming, data solutions, etc. Any required training VI. Training and Learning As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following training and learning opportunities: Participation in a two-week long Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course in New York within the first 3 to 6 months of assignment Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide Other training and learning opportunities, as presented in the UNDP JPO Orientation Programme In addition, the JPO will benefit from the following specific training and learning modalities/opportunities in the receiving office: UN Mandatory on-line trainings. Introductory Brief to Newcomers. 7

8 VII. Background Information Information on the receiving office: (Provide basic information on the office: number of international/national staff in the whole office and in the unit where the JPO will be working, etc. Give a short background of the programme/projects the JPO will be working on: history, recent and upcoming developments.) The number of UNDP international staff is 2, number of local staff 21, number of service contracts 50. The JPO will work with the UN Country Team, directly with the UN Resident Coordinator and in close cooperation with the Office of the Resident Coordinator. UN in Armenia, as a strategic partner to the government and other stakeholders, assists their efforts to improve the quality of life and the well-being of Armenian people. Fighting poverty and unemployment, supporting decentralization and ensuring equal access to basic social and economic services for vulnerable groups is in the center of UN activities in Armenia. We also support Armenia to have a more empowered civil society, accountable and responsive public institutions, as well as help Armenian people to manage the environment in a sustainable manner. The UN continues to play a significant role as one of the largest providers of technical assistance in Armenia despite a number of donors phasing out after the country achieved lower MIC status. The UNCT in Armenia consists of around 14 agencies, funds and programmes addressing a wide range of national development challenges. In order to focus the development work on areas of UN comparative advantage, the UNCT and its partners have developed a United Nations Republic of Armenia Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for The Development Framework is structured around four thematic pillars: (1) equitable, sustainable economic development and poverty reduction, (2) democratic governance, (3) social services and inclusion, and (4) environmental sustainability and resilience-building. Promoting the international normative framework constitutes a core thrust of Partnership Framework. Some of the key focus areas include advancing women leadership and gender equality; addressing sex-selective abortions; supporting de-institutionalization reform; modernizing border crossing points which implies also enhanced accountability, transparency and integrity of border agencies to facilitate trade and transit and instill public confidence. UNDP had provided major electoral assistance to the Government of Armenia to introduce voter authentication equipment ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in April. The UN in Armenia is also known to be a hub for innovation, and through the EU-funded UNDP s Kolba Lab it is currently implementing a number of innovative initiatives, such as creating mechanisms to engage citizens in the design of public services and to introduce innovation in the public sector. The SDG Innovation Lab, is in the process of being set-up with the support of UNDP/UN on the basis of the CSI, the government s own reform accelerator lab, and tapping on the innovative methodologies from across the world. The Lab will function as a hub for analytics and policy recommendations, primarily supporting localization of the SDGs working closely with the Prime Minister s Office, National Council on Sustainable Development and Inter-agency Committee on SDGs. 8

9 Organization chart: An up-to-date organization chart of the office is attached indicating where the JPO would be assigned. Living conditions at the Duty Station: Armenia is situated at a cultural, historical, and religious intersection and located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, in the Southern Caucasus. The country spans 29,743 square kilometers (11,490 square miles, about the size of Belgium or Maryland) of mountainous terrain centered on the Ararat Valley. In fact, the average altitude of the country is over a mile high, at about 1,800 meters above sea level. Presently, the country is landlocked and has no navigable waterways. Armenia has borders with Georgia to the north, with Turkey to the west and south, with Azerbaijan to the east and southwest, and with Iran to the south. Armenia s growth is expected to pick up over the medium term, reaching approximately 3% in 2016 and staying at similarly modest levels for several years. The lifting of sanctions against Iran creates a window of opportunity for Armenia; access to new markets, including a transit corridor for goods and services between Iran and Russia/Europe, raises expectations for further growth. The country faced a slowdown in its progress to poverty reduction: in 2016 the poverty rate was 29.8% while unemployment rate was 18.5%. However, modest but positive projected growth in agriculture and industry, combined with an increase in real wages in the public and private sectors and a recovery in remittances, is likely to support continued poverty reduction in Yerevan is a very safe and quite city. The climate is continental, with hot and dry summers, cold and snowy winters. The city offers a huge variety of restaurants, cafes, clubs, and other possibilities of diversion. Culturally highly active, all over the year one can enjoy on-going programmes of theatre (also international), classic and modern music, ballet, concerts, at everyone s average. Art expositions are organized quite often, and spring and autumn programmes of international cinema are shown at the National Gallery. Water and electricity are mostly available everywhere in the city, and shops offer all kind of goods (though mostly of local production). Health facilities are good. No need of complicated vaccinations. Diseases with most incidences are normal gastroenteritis, colds, and flues. Smoking/Non-Smoking environment (as applicable): UN/UNDP is a smoke free environment Approved by: Name of the Head of Office: Bradley Busetto Title of the Head of Office: UN Resident Coordinator / UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Date of issuance: 9