Partnerships Development Analyst, P-2, IDE UNCDF Brussels, Belgium

UNCDF/UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNCDF/UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

UNCDF’s financing models work through three channels: inclusive digital economies, connecting individuals, households, and small businesses with financial eco-systems that catalyze participation in the local economy, and provide tools to climb out of poverty and manage financial lives; local development finance, that capacitates localities through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance to drive local economic expansion and sustainable development; and investment finance, that provides catalytic financial structuring, de-risking, and capital deployment to drive SDG impact and domestic resource mobilization. By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to Sustainable Development Goal-SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a broad diversity of SDGs.

UNCDF’s policy and programmatic engagement with the European Commission and other donors is growing and covers an increasingly wide range of issues including digital financial services and digital economies, green jobs and local economies, climate change and local government finance, municipal finance, and youth and SME finance, with a focus on LDCs and other developing countries. In line with the new EU Commission priorities, UNCDF’s unique mandate and financial tools and instruments can contribute to supporting LDCs and other developing countries in their transition to green economies and societies; addressing the climate emergency; and promoting inclusive growth and job creation in particular for youth and women, using digitalization as an accelerator, addressing current challenges including irregular migration and promoting peace and stability.

The UNCDF Brussels Liaison Office includes UNCDF practice areas and programme staff and support functions. The Office coordinates UNCDF corporate analysis of developments and trends related to EU institutions, supports UNCDF strategic engagement, policy and technical dialogue with EU and Brussels based partners, ensures UNCDF positioning with existing new EU instruments, promotes UNCDF outreach and visibility efforts and supports UNCDF field-based presences concerning collaboration with the EU Delegations.

Since 2008, UNCDF has been supporting digital finance with significant success which has led UNCDF to make digital finance the largest part of its inclusive finance portfolio. UNCDF is also host to the Secretariat of the Better than Cash Alliance (BTCA), a partnership of governments, companies, and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth. UNCDF also serves as the secretariat for the UN Secretary-General’s Task Force on Digital Financing of the SDGs, which will consider the next wave of digitalization of finance and how the systemic changes to the financial ecosystem due to digital technologies will impact financing for the SDGs. For several years UNCDF’s work in digital finance has led it to support new digital solutions linked to finance, to further drive financial inclusion and to achieve the SDGs. This includes projects linked to on an off-grid energy, agriculture, employment, health and transport.

With 60 professionals with strong digital finance experience across the globe and with close to several hundred projects in digital completed or on-going, UNCDF is one of the leading development agencies in digital finance with a mission and expertise to reach the poorest and most vulnerable populations in some of the world’s most difficult markets. UNCDF’s digital team and resources are focused on creating a comprehensive team of experts in various domains to drive the new strategy “Leaving no one behind in the digital era”. The Global Digital Manager technically leads the various programs under one strategy.

Based on over a decade of experience applying a market development approach in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, UNCDF started in 2017 to expand the scope of its programmatic agenda to go beyond digital finance[1]. Through the “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” strategy, UNCDF shifts from focusing only on digital finance to the development of inclusive digital economies. The strategy recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the SDGs aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies for the following reasons:

The value of Digital Financial Services (DFS) becomes more obvious, especially to poor and vulnerable populations, when it is closely linked to their ability to respond to the specific constraints and needs they face to participate in agriculture, access education, health, energy and other basic services key to overcome poverty. New innovative services should be developed to address these unmet needs. Innovation will come from traditional providers but mainly from a range of new players (entrepreneurs, start-ups in various sectors, and platforms).

PosItion Context: –

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Coordination Advisor EU (PPC, P5, Brussels) with matrixed reporting (for digital issues) to the Technical Specialist (Digital Finance Policy, P4, Brussels) and in close collaboration with the PPC Partnerships Specialist (PPC, P4, New York), the partnerships analyst will increase understanding of UNCDF donor priorities, increase understanding of donor structures, and create strategies for greater interactions and engagement including but not limited to communication plans. The Partnerships Analyst will also have the primary responsibility to (1) Monitor relevant EU-level policy developments at the European Commission and help identify entry points for UNCDF (2) Research and help identify opportunities for UNCDF to engage with broader European institutions and other key Brussels-based stakeholders, including the European Parliament, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), media, think tanks, civil society organizations, NGOS and private sector entities (3) Help prepare high-quality briefing materials to support UNCDF representation in meetings and events (4) Contribute to UNCDF outreach and visibility efforts in Brussels, including by contributing to a regular UNCDF Brussels newsletter any helping to organize events

The Analyst will also work closely with the UNCDF Directorate and the IDE Team to support the development and implementation of UNCDF strategy for partnering with UN Agencies around UNDAF, the Post 2030 Agenda and other potential joint programming opportunities at HQs and at the global, regional and country office levels.

Under the guidance of the Technical Specialist (Digital Finance Policy, P4, Brussels) and with the close collaboration with the UNCDF Digital Lead Manager, P5, the Partnerships ( Analyst will also ensures effective coordination of the IDE Practice partnerships engagement in support of UNCDF’s broader Partnerships strategy. The Analyst will also have the primary responsibility to (1) update UNCDF’s partnerships strategy ensuring up to date information on funders’ strategies and priorities while leveraging all of the UNCDF themes and allowing UNCDF to coherently present, manage and increase its partnerships and proposal pipeline (2) propose recommendations for the strengthening of the existing pipeline (3) design resource mobilization action plans for the different thematic areas or regions and (4) support finalization of priority proposals per theme. The DP Specialist will also provide support to the technical specialists at the country/regional levels to help them develop meaningful partnerships annual plans and make sure their partnerships proposals are linked to the agenda of the “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” strategy.

The Analyst is an integral member of the LNOB Strategy Support Unit that together with partnerships, comprises programme support, results & learning, knowledge management & communications. These functions are co-located to ensure a virtuous circle between the functions.

Within the context of UNCDF programme activities, the staff member is ultimately accountable for achieving the key results summarized above. These results in turn provide senior management with critical inputs in making decisions with regards to the overall partnerships strategy.

The fixed-term role is based in Brussels, Belgium and reports to Senior Coordination Advisor EU/PPC (P5) with matrix reporting to IDE Global Technical Specialist (Digital Finance) P-4.

Summary of key functions:

1). Support UNCDF’s corporate partnerships strategy with EC/EU and other key donors for UNCDF

• Monitor relevant EU-level policy developments at the European Commission and help identify entry points for UNCDF;
• Research and help identify opportunities for UNCDF to engage with broader European institutions and other key Brussels-based stakeholders, including the European Parliament, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), media, think tanks, civil society organizations, NGOS and private sector entities;
• Help prepare high-quality briefing materials to support UNCDF representation in meetings and events;
• Contribute to UNCDF outreach and visibility efforts in Brussels, including by contributing to a regular UNCDF Brussels newsletter any helping to organize events.

Outcome: Help raise UNCDF’s profile in Brussels and identify new opportunities to engage with EU institutions and stakeholders.

2). Support UNCDF’s corporate partnerships strategy with other donors by supporting the PPC Partnerships Specialist and the Head of PPC to:

• Increase understanding of donor priorities;
• Increase understanding of donor structures;
• Create strategies for greater interactions and engagement including but not limited to communication plans

Outcome: Help inpositioning UNCDF as a leader in last mile finance in the LDCs.

3). Support the development and implementation of the resource and partnerships plan for the new UNCDF global strategy with focus on IDE:

• Ensure up to date information on funders’ strategies and priorities while leveraging all of the UNCDF themes and allowing UNCDF to coherently present, manage and increase its partnerships and proposal pipeline;
• Support development of tailored resource mobilization strategy at the global, regional and country levels in line with this research to ensure funding proposals are aligned to LDC country priorities, comparative advantages of UNCDF and funders’ interests;
• Monitor (quarterly) the implementation of the partnerships strategy at the global, regional and country levels by updating the resource mobilization pipeline report (soft, hard, signed) for senior management.

Outcome: Help inpositioning UNCDF as a leader in development finance and digital innovations.

4). Support Priority Funding Proposal submissions to funders

• Based on the priorities identified by PPC and IDE Senior Management, support countries, regions or thematic leads to develop funding proposals for submission;
• Support Senior Management review of annual resource mobilization pipelines and the identification and prioritization of proposals to be supported;
• Develop roster of consultants who can assist country, regional or global leads in the various stages of proposal development.

Outcome:Efficient, effective, reliable and proactive resource mobilization plans and sharing of information with on the resource mobilization plans for improved corporate coordination.

5). Work on integrating knowledge sharing into UNCDF corporate partnerships efforts and foster lateral learning between country, and regional offices

• Support PPC’s efforts to build greater sharing of information and knowledge across UNCDF on Partnership’s strategies
• Support PPC in internal learning events relevant to the digital strategy (i.e. team meetings, retreats)
• Assist PPC in developing and maintaining contact databases for partners and other stakeholders

Outcome:Improved lateral-learning and networking within UNCDF.

IV. Impact of Results

The work of Partnerships Analyst will help in global positioning and recognition of UNCDF as a leading practitioner on innovative digital solutions delivery. Efficient, reliable and proactive management of knowledge generation related to digital solutions and sharing activities and achievement of communications annual work plans. The timely and smooth procurement and delivery of all inputs for relevant and quality knowledge products. Strong coordination among the UNCDF PPC and global digital strategy’s research agenda and synergies with regional and country digital programmes. Improved lateral-learning and networking within UNCDF, between UNCDF and its partners, and between UNCDF partners.

Core

• Innovation:Ability to make new and useful ideas work.Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

• Leadership:Ability to persuade others to follow.Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

• People Management:Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

• Communication:Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

• Delivery:Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical / Functional Competencies:

• Subject Matter Expertise:Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts related to digital innovation and financial inclusion

Level 4: Apply & Adapt. Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management:Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.Level 5: Originate - E Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Project Management:Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Relationship Management:Ablity to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships.Level 5: Originate - E Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Results Based Programming:Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work.Level 4: Apply & Adapt -Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Education:

Master’s Degree in economics, finance, business administration, international relations or related fields.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum two years of professional experience in positions in partnerships development/management or resource mobilization.
• Strong understanding of development space, impact investments and digital technologies with some hands on experience in one or more of these areas.
• Experience working with an international organization or UN is preferred.
• Experience in researching donors/client priorities, identifying key stakeholders in organizations and creating engagement plans
• Experience in using social media strategies, creating presentation decks with extensive usage of Microsoft power point and excel will be of significant advantage.
• Previous experience in managing & coordinating high-level events, oversee contributions of other actors, along with formulating high-quality donor proposals, developing proposals, corresponding budgets, is considered essential.

Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Professional level fluency in French is also required.

Important information for US Permanent Residents (’Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP Rosters

Note:UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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