Partnerships and Engagement Specialist – The Global SDG Synthesis Coalition (Office-Based)- (Open to Externals)

Overview

The Partnerships and Engagement Specialist will support the Global SDG Synthesis Coalition in advancing its mission to develop a global evidence architecture for the SDGs. This role is central to ensuring the Coalition’s priorities are integrated into broader initiatives within the UN system and beyond.

Tasks Summary

• Establish strategic engagement and partnerships with UN entities, multi-lateral evaluation entities, and other ESIC stakeholders.
• Contribute to mapping relevant decision-making structures and policy windows.
• Lead the Coalition at high-level meetings and forums.
• Facilitate the integration of evidence and evaluation into UN policy dialogues.
• Support the development, strengthening, and management of strategic partnerships outside the UN system.
• Participate in global forums to promote collaboration and visibility.
• Advocate for the inclusion of UN evaluative evidence in decision-making.
• Contribute to the design, development, and implementation of a global evidence architecture for the SDGs.
• Identify gaps and opportunities in evaluative evidence generation, communication, and utilization.
• Plan and deliver high-profile Coalition events.
• Design innovative event formats to promote evidence use.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the Coalition’s communications strategy.
• Support the creation of knowledge products.
• Coordinate campaigns and outreach activities.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for documentation and communication of best practices.
• Actively participate in external networks and communities of practice.
• Support the establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years (with a Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in activities either supporting evidence-informed decision-making processes or designing or applying evaluative evidence to inform policy, and experience in building and managing partnerships.
• Preferably in the field of international development, with knowledge of the latest international development issues.
• Demonstrated ability to organize own work, and work of others according to deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Prior work experience at or familiarity with the work of UNDP and/or other UN agencies.
• Experience in using computer and office software packages, web-based data management systems, website management tools, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS, SharePoint.
• Experience in supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives, ideally within UN agencies, international organizations, or global partnerships is desirable.
• Experience in developing, strengthening, and managing strategic relationships with UN entities, high-level government entities and UN Permanent Missions, international development banks, bilateral and multilateral agencies, academia, and civil society, is advantageous.
• Proven experience in successfully planning and organizing high profile event planning, such as design workshops, roundtables, and knowledge-sharing sessions to promote the use of evidence in decision-making – is beneficial.
• Experience in evidence-informed decision-making, including the leveraging of evaluation and evidence, particularly within the SDGs and global development context.

Qualification Requirements

• Advanced university degree (A master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related fields is required.
• OR first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Other Details

Languages Required: • Fluency in English is required

Languages Preferred: • Working knowledge of another UNDP official language is an asset

Contract Duration: 1 Year

Work Modality: Office-Based

Remuneration: