Overview
The Intergovernmental Engagement Specialist supports UNDP's engagement with Member States and other actors within UN intergovernmental and interagency fora. The role focuses on preparing for Executive Board sessions, conducting political analysis, and advising on strategic positioning.
Key Responsibilities
- Support BERA’s leadership role on UNDP internal preparation for Executive Board sessions, bureaux coordination, and engagements with Member States and UN entities.
- Develop and finalize Executive Board-related documentation, including key messages and position papers.
- Develop and maintain working relationships with key Member States and engage with UN entities.
- Advise on and facilitate targeted engagements with Member States at senior/technical levels.
- Lead on timely intelligence gathering and share with relevant UNDP bureaux/offices.
- Keep UNDP/BERA senior management abreast of Executive Board session preparations and decision negotiations.
- Advise on and support UNDP country-level management awareness and engagement in Executive Board sessions.
- Support the provision of thematic/topic-specific briefings to Member States.
- Coordinate UNDP’s engagement and participation in the Joint Meetings of the Executive Boards.
- Develop political analyses of intergovernmental and interagency developments, flagging implications for UNDP.
- Advance the establishment of a tracking system on Member States’ positions.
- Gather and evaluate intelligence from key Member State groups and follow up on relevant mandates.
- Flag opportunities for strategic positioning in intergovernmental and interagency spaces.
- Ensure the integration of political analyses in position papers, advisory notes, and briefs.
- Facilitate sharing of political analyses with management at HQ and country levels.
- Advise on, identify opportunities for, and support UNDP leadership engagements with key Member State groups.
- Develop and implement audience-centric strategies to interface with and manage relationships with Permanent Missions and other intergovernmental stakeholders.
- Identify and analyse engagement opportunities and risks; contribute to policy proposals and position papers.
- Advise on and support targeted engagements through intergovernmental and interagency spaces.
- Develop and maintain close working relationships with key Member States and advance technical-level relationships with UN Secretariat and UN entities.
- Prepare, coordinate, and review reports, speeches, briefing notes, and talking points for senior management.
- Engage in preparations of and advise on UNDP’s engagements and positioning within key intergovernmental fora, including HLPF, 2nd Committee, 5th Committee, ECOSOC, and UN General Assembly.
- Lead on UNSAG engagements in preparations for UN GA meetings; ensure follow-up and monitor GA resolutions.
- Monitor relevant segments and negotiation processes within ECOSOC, engaging with Member States and UN Secretariat/entities.
- Provide political mapping of Member State positions ahead of key intergovernmental events/initiatives/meetings/sessions.
- Monitor, analyse, and evaluate intergovernmental discussions and identify interconnections with interagency discussions.
- Monitor key developments within the GA and flag major opportunities for UNDP engagement.
Required Experience
- A minimum of 7 years (with Bachelor’s) or 9 years (with Master’s) experience in UNDP and/or within the UN System, or any government, inter-governmental and other related experience outside of the UN system with strong knowledge of the UN system or any government, inter-governmental experience.
- Strong knowledge of the UN system (including UNDS) is required.
- Proven record of inter-agency and/or intergovernmental engagement and/or experience in diplomatic relations, political analysis and advocacy are required.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with Permanent missions, government representatives and diplomatic stakeholders.
- Intergovernmental affairs expertise such as in executive board sessions, committee meetings or intergovernmental negotiations.
- Exceptional drafting skills with demonstrated experience in preparing briefing notes, talking points, position papers.
- Ability to communicate complex political issues clearly and concisely.
- Strong relationship management and networking skills.
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Public Administration or other Social Sciences related field is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced degree.
