JPO - Programme Analyst ( Governance and Human Rights)

Important: Under the JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of the Republic of Korea. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc

The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme:

The UNDP JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system. During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices.

As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following supervision modalities:

• Structured guidance provided by the supervisor, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing the responsibilities of the JPO align with the duties and responsibilities listed in the ToR.
• Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
• Effective supervision through knowledge sharing and performance/development feedback throughout the assignment
• Participation in Unit/Team/Office meetings to ensure integration and operational effectiveness
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
• Completion of the yearly UNDP Performance Management Document (PMD)
   

Anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in line with the priorities outlined in the UNDP Strategic Plan, the Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) supports the Arab States region to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development, and building resilience to crises and shocks. Within this work, the Regional Bureau for Arab States responds to needs across different development settings including Least Developed Countries, Middle Income Countries, Net Contributor Countries and countries affected by crisis, with a view to support the building of resilience, fight climate change, leverage the promise of innovation, and prioritize the advance of women, youth and vulnerable groups as part of its commitment to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind in an increasing challenging regional context which has been severely impacted  by the recent COVID-19 crisis.

In addition to its presence in New York, and as part of its support to Country Offices (COs), RBAS established the Regional Hub for Arab States in Amman, Jordan in 2015 to offer technical assisstance to COs  in the region, in addition to the Programme for the occupied Palestinian territory. The Regional Hub in Amman offers a wide range of support to COs including strategic policy advice, programme development and implementation, capacity development, policy research and analysis, knowledge services, and  operations.

The Regional Hub counts around 100 staff which cooperates with UNDP Country Offices and a wide range of stakeholders to advancing the agenda of peace and inclusive governance in the Arab region through policy advise and technical assistance, developing inclusive regional programmes and partnerships, building and maintaining networks of practitioners, pioneering new initiatives and generating human rights based knowledge products to help position UNDP strategically to address rising and looming development and peacebuilding challenges. The Regional Hub includes a team of experts in the area of Governance, Electoral support and inclusive political processes, Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Prevention of Violent Extremism, Aid Management and HDP Nexus, Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights led by the Regional Team Leader on Governance and Peacebuilding. 

The purpose of this post is to support the Governance and Peacebuilding Team in the Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) fulfil its role as a knowledge repository on governance, peacebuilding and rule of law issues, and as a strategic resource for Country Offices across the region, as well as other stakeholders. 

As a member of the Governance and Peacebuilding Team, the JPO will assist UNDP in implementing programmes/projects within the Team. The work includes conducting research, supporting project/programme implementation both at regional level and in Country Offices, producing communication materials, helping with resource mobilization efforts and other tasks as directed by the supervisor.

Reporting structure and partners

The JPO will work under the overall guidance of the Governance and Peacebuilding Team Leader. In his/her day to day work, the JPO will report to the Senior Regional Governance Advisor. The JPO will also work closely with colleagues and thematic units within the Governance and Peacebuilding team (Prevention of Violent Extremism, Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights,  Electoral support and inclusive political processes, Aid Management and HDP Nexus) , as well as with members of other  teams in the Hub (Gender, Innovation, Inclusive Growth, Environment, SDG integration, etc).

Training and Learning:

• Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide 
• Onboarding and Orientation Programme and other training and learning opportunities provided by UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1)  Provide quality support for the development of regional, sub-regional, cross-border and multi-country initiatives in the areas of Governance, maintaining a close connection with programming under Prevention of Violent Extremism, Rule of Law and Conflict Prevention (35%); 
 

Example of Duties:    Support the design and development of initiatives based on analysis and data gathered or provided from external sources. Projects/initiatives shall be based on evidence and respond to needs and priorities of country offices and corporate directions, as highlighted in UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, UNDP crisis offer and relevant corporate documents and global programmes. 
Support coordination with country offices and other stakeholders to identify processes leading to the development of above-mentioned initiatives, including through collaboration with RBAS Regional Programme (especially projects on Prevention of Violent Extremism, Anti-Corruption and Digital Transformations), multi-lateral agencies, regional institutions, governments and non-governmental organizations.  
Support the design of programmatic entry points leveraging on the Global Policy Network of UNDP and good practices and lessons learned captured through global experience and in exchange with other UNDP regional hubs.  
Support the kick-start of the initiatives, in coordination with relevant thematic teams and bureaus.

2)    Support and contribute to the Team’s research and policy agenda on with focus on governance issues (35%);

Example of Duties:    Support the regional governance agenda, with focus on inclusive, effective and responsive governance, also at the local level. Applying a people’s centered and Human Rights based approach, this may include supporting initiatives addressing issues of participation, engagement with civil society, youth and women groups, and organizations of persons with disability. Efforts will aim to enhance civic space, reform the public administration and service delivery, considering opportunities for localization and digitalization of services. This will be achieved in close collaboration with prevention of violent extremism, conflict prevention and rule of law agendas in the region by contributing to research and implementation of initiatives focusing on local governance /decentralization, elections and parliamentary development, social cohesion, human rights and access to justice, environmental governance, etc. and other emerging areas in line with corporate priorities and demand-driven requests. 
Help coordinate the management of thematic Community of Practices across the region, including strengthening awareness of participants on key issues and by supporting experience sharing across country offices. Help coordinate and create closer linkages between UNDP and regional and national level.
Support the appointed focal points in the development, completion and launch of UNDP’s regional studies on areas of political economy, limited statehood, non-state actors and service delivery, local governance, or others. Collaborate with entities involved in the research, including Crisis Bureau, Think Tanks and Academia, as relevant.   
Support efforts to develop good practices for context-driven conflict prevention and peacebuilding processes in the Arab States including support to engaging and overseeing regional researcher(s), produce knowledge products and disseminating publications. 
Support the supervisor and Team Leader in the identification of emerging needs and priorities, corporate requirements, and analyse donors’ orientations to feed into the team year planning and to help identify strategic initiatives and entry points for CO support and the overall programming.    

3) Support the Regional Hub to strengthen its strategic expertise, and its role in linking Country Offices with global developments (30%);

Example of Duties:    Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to UNDP’s policy goals as well as the UNDP strategic plan. This should include liaising with focal points in Amman and New York on relevant subjects.

Public and policy advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals especially SDGs 5, and 16 by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings. 
Coordinating with relevant teams in the hub in identifying innovative practices and methodologies to be applied across the governance and peacebuilding team’s portfolio, such as Behavioural Insights , as relevant. 
Management of events and publications. Especially, support to the launch of regional or sub-regional studies and other knowledge products as required. 
Substantively monitor UNDP's intervention in the Governance realm, aiming to better integrate with  Peacebuilding, Prevention of Violent Extremism and Rule of Law sectors. Provide input to the preparation of Reports, participating in Review meetings and monthly project meetings, assisting in mobilizing inputs and expertise.

Maintain and strengthen linkages among with other Focal Points and Teams within the regional hub (such as the, Environment, Energy and Climate Change Team; Innovation Team; Gender Team; Inclusive Growth Team, etc.) as well as with other UN agencies and Development Partners in order to foster and harmonize the development initiatives and impact.
Competencies

Core

Achieve Results
    LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work 
Think Innovatively
    LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking 
Learn Continuously 
    LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning 
Adapt with Agility  
    LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process 
Act with Determination      
LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously 
Engage and Partner 
    LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships 
Enable Diversity and Inclusion 
    LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 
 
Name                                 Definition 
Research (General)              Knowledge of analytical tools, market research and methods for undertaking substantive research on various policy related issues
Human Rights                     Knowledge of rule of law justice and security principles and standards and the ability to apply practical and/or strategic solutions
Social Cohesion                   Knowledge of methods and experience of supporting communities to achieve greater inclusiveness, more civic participation and creating opportunities for upward mobility.
Substantive Networking    Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions, and think tanks
Gender Issues & Analysis  Knowledge of gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of projects from a gender perspective
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):    Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Priority setting                   Ability to scan and synthesize diverse sets of information to arrive at strategic priorities and positioning recommendations
 
Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in Political science, Law, Human Rights, International Relations, Conflict Studies, or related field of expertise. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.  

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• A minimum of two years of paid working experience as an analyst, researcher or delivering legal, technical, analytical or advisory services in governmental or non-governmental organisation with a Master’s degree (or 4 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree).
• Experience on the ground implementing projects in the Global South, ideally within the RBAS region is desirable.

Desirable knowledge and skills:

• Experience in developing projects and programmes.
• Experience managing research projects or developing knowledge products.
• Experience organising and coordinating large meetings and events (online and offline).

Language requirements (Required / Desired):

• Proficiency in written and spoken of both languages English and Korean.
• Arabic or French language proficiency highly desirable.

Nationality: Under the JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of the Republic of Korea. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc

Languages (required): Fluency in Korean and English.

Applicants should submit a Certificate of English proficiency test: Applicants should score a minimum of (i) TOEFL iBT 100 or (ii) TEPS 430 or (iii) IELTS 7 or (iv) TOEIC 900 

- TOEFL ‘Home Edition’ score is accepted while ‘MyBest Scores’ are not accepted 

- IELTS General Training and Academic test are both accepted 

- Test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date 

Age Requirement: Not older than 32 years of age as of 31 December, 2024 (born after 1 January, 1992). The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended accordingly: 

1. One year will be extended for those who served for less than one year;
2. Two years will be extended for those who served for more than one year and less than two years; 
3. Three years will be extended for those who served for two years or more. 

Military service: Male applicants shall have completed the Korean military service or be exempted from it. Those who will be discharged from military service in the year of the application may also apply.

Attachments needed (please note that once the application is submitted in the system, you cannot go back to upload documents or edit information)

• A copy of CV and brief motivation letter in English that explains why you're the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements 
• A scanned copy of applicant’s Resident Register in English 
• Copy of your Bachelor's/Master degree certificate in English
• Copy of English proficiency test certificate. Please check the minimum requirements/scores above.
• Only for male applicants who have completed the national military service: A certificate of Korean Military Service in English: The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended in accordance with the Support for Discharged Soldiers Act and the Military Service Law. 
• Only for low-income applicants: A scanned copy of a certificate of National Basic Livelihood Security Recipients issued in Korean and its unofficial translation in English.
• Only for persons with disability: A scanned copy of a certificate of person with disability issued in Korean and English.

Applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application

For general information on the JPO Programme of the Republic of Korea, please visit the website of the International Organizations Recruitment Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea: https://UNrecruit.mofa.go.kr

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