UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

UNDP’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlighting our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, accompanying countries in their pathways towards the SDGs and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP’s Nature, Climate, Energy, and Waste (NCE&W) Hubs promote and scale up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.

BPPS’s Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste (NCEW), with the support of the Vertical Fund Programme Support Oversight and Compliance Unit, works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate nature, climate, energy and waste related concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies, support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and oversee the implementation of the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming nature, climate change, energy and waste. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio encompasses:

• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests;
• Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems;
• Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS;
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation;
• Sustainable Energy;
• Extractive Industries;
• Chemicals and Waste Management;
• Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy; and SCP approaches.

This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.

In addition to UNDP’s bilateral partnerships in NCEW, UNDP is an accredited multilateral implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Multilateral Fund (MLF), the Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). As part of UNDP’s partnership with these vertical funds (VFs), UNDP provides countries specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme formulation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.

UNDP is seeking the service of a Policy Analyst to support the BPPS Vertical Fund Programme Support Oversight and Compliance Unit (VF Hub) on covering policy and programming matters related to vertical fund programming.

The Policy Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Programme and Policy Specialist and will work closely as well with the Principal Advisor for Environmental Law & Policy and other units within the VF Hub.

Scope of Work 

Support the coverage of Vertical Fund Board/Council meetings and related activities

• Take detailed notes and produce high-quality daily summary reports of the Vertical Fund Board/Council meetings that place 2-3 times a year per Fund.
• Analyze the discussions and decisions made in the Vertical Fund Board/Council meetings and provide insights on the development of or shifts in key issues and policies.
• Support the organization of high-level bilateral meetings with the Vertical Fund Secretariats and prepare high-quality materials required in preparation for the meetings.
• Document bilateral meeting outcomes through concise minutes for bilateral meetings held with the Vertical Fund Secretariats and keep track of follow-up actions.
• Contribute to the development of briefing notes and talking points that incorporate inputs from other teams (as relevant)
• Support internal consultations and following up on key actions points to ensure agreements are reached on key matters.
• Organize and assist in the delivery of internal workshops/session on Vertical Fund requirements and new or updated policies.
• Provide support for other policy related matters as instructed by the supervisor and/or head of unit

Ensure portfolio oversight and compliance activities.

• Conduct compliance reviews of legally binding conditions and covenants in the GCF FAAs
• Monitor fulfillment of GCF FAA conditions and covenants to ensure compliance to deadlines.
• Conduct compliance reviews of co-financing materialization letters for GCF projects under implementation and produce updated guidance on co-financing reporting requirements.
• Provide programmatic policy support to GCF, GEF and AF projects in the portfolio.
• Coordinate the uploading of new policies and related guidance to POPP, including conducting final reviews of all documents prior to submission for uploading.
• Provide policy inputs to programming manuals, SOPs and templates for Vertical Fund programming and ensure alignment with the latest Vertical Fund policies and requirements.
• Undertake analyses of data and information, compiling syntheses, reports, charts, tables, graphs, presentations, etc. as required.

Facilitate knowledge management and coordination.

• Manage and maintain a library of Vertical Fund policies, training materials, documentation of key issues of importance and lessons learnt, and respond to specific requests for information.
• Coordinate with the business owner of the PIMS+ workspace and the VF Hub intranet to ensure all Vertical Fund policy-related documents are maintained and updated as necessary.
• Coordinate with the business owner of the PIMS+ milestones to ensure the latest and or updates to Vertical Fund requirements are accurately reflected.
• Provide information as required, as requested, and as appropriate, to internal units

The incumbent may perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

• The Policy Analyst will work from his/her home-base, working with teams in different time zones, but in particular with New York time zones.
• The Policy Analyst will work under the supervision of the BPPS VF Hub Programme and Policy Specialist based in New York. The Policy Analyst will closely work with the VF hub units;
• Given the global role of this function, the Policy Analyst is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her working hours, taking into consideration different time zones where applicable;
• The Policy Analyst will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
• The Policy Analyst will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, relevant software, etc.) and shall have access to a stable, secure, and reliable internet connection.

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements    

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in a related field such Public Policy, Environmental Management, Economics, Political Science, Programme Evaluation, Public Administration, Statistics or related fields is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the said fields, with two additional years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience       

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in sustainable development/environmental finance, vertical fund programming or a related field is required.

Required skills         

• Experience working in environmental vertical funds (GEF/GCF).
• Experience and in-depth knowledge of vertical fund programming, specifically the GEF and GCF.
• Experience in analysing and synthesizing policy documents and Board meeting discussions.
• Experience with portfolio management, including conducting compliance checks and reviews.
• Experience in developing quality informational products and presentation materials.

Desired skills     

• Experience in the development of corporate policy and/or guidance would be an advantage.
• Experience working in UN organizations is desired.
• Experience in planning and conducting workshops and trainings at the global level would be an asset.
• Experience with UNDP policies, procedures, and practices particularly in relation to portfolio management is an advantage.
• Experience in the use of communication and digital products are desired.
• Experience working in developing countries is an advantage

Required Language(s)   

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Travel:    

• International mission travel may be required;
• Any necessary mission travel must be approved in writing and in advance by the supervisor;
• The BSAFE course must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel;
• Incumbents are responsible for obtaining any visas needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP;
• Incumbents are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director;
• Incumbents are required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/;
• The Analyst will be responsible for making his/her own mission travel arrangements in line with UNDP travel policies.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements