Contract Duration
1 Year with Possibility for extension
Education & Work Experience
Master's Degree
Required Languages
English and Chichewa
Vacancy Timeline
2 Weeks
Job Description
Background
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.
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.
UNDP Malawi Country Office (CO) has re-focused its efforts to support innovation, knowledge management and an evidence-based approach to enhance UNDP’s leadership as a thought leader in the implementation of the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and the Malawi 2063 vision and its 10-year Implementation plan (MIP 1)anchored by the UNDP Strategic Plan 2023 to 2025. Within this context, the Development Impact Advisory Team (DIAT) was established to enhance development effectiveness by improving systems, tools and mechanisms for national policy and strategy planning, management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. Importantly it is designed to function as a ‘think tank’ to provide strategic policy advisory services and buffer the upstream engagement of UNDP mostly in relation to the effective implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).and functional data ecosystem.
DIAT has three main functions i.e., Research, Advocacy and Capacity development.
Research: Carry out quality and credible policy research to generate knowledge and credibility. This will entail rigorous application of social science research methods, detailed presentation of results, and production of policy notes, and poverty reporting;
Advocacy: Undertake advocacy on global developmental issues, knowledge products including SDGs Human Development Reports (HDRs), Africa Human Development Report (AFHDR), and National Human Development Report (NHDR) to influence policy. This will entail making specific policy recommendations, publicize, and seek access to decision-makers; and
Capacity development: Strengthening institutional capacity for policy reform through training for UNDP and Government on economic issues, policy analysis, development planning, development monitoring, macroeconomic analysis, and transformational change for leadership in policy reform. It will also support and complement efforts of UNDP M&E team on monitoring and evaluation of the CO programmatic portfolio.
Under the guidance of DIAT staff the research assistant will assist in data collection and information gathering to support ongoing and proposed research, policy/strategy development. While supporting the DIAT team, the Young Professional will gain valuable insight into the working of the UN system as well as build his/her capacity for future work opportunities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Contribute substantial input to development of work plans, research questions, concept notes, and field research;
Assist in authoring research reports, briefing notes, policy papers, and other materials as required;
Assist in the planning and management of major events, meetings, and missions in liaison with the programme Associate;
Represent DIAT where appropriate in program meetings, coordination meetings, staff meetings, workshops, and meetings with stakeholders;
Help to develop and coordinate research dissemination and follow-up activities, including providing substantive advice on the future direction of the program;
Conduct interviews with a variety of actors (government, NGOs, CSOs, youth groups, etc.), using a full range of qualitative research techniques;
Provide insights into the findings of field research, using substantial local knowledge (political, institutional, cultural, etc.);
Drafting annual work plans and budgets;
Coordinating implementation of activities and reporting on progress;
Monitoring and reporting on resource delivery;
Budget analyses and financial management, and ;
Other duties as required.
Institutional Arrangement
This position is tenable in the UNDP Country Office in Lilongwe, Malawi, and reports to the Economics Specialist.
Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
Cross functional & Technical Competencies
Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking:
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making
Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority area of expertise and resource.
Business Direction & Strategy: Business Acumen
Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
Business Development : Integration within the UN
Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome
Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Entrepreneurial Thinking .
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree in Economics or related Social Sciences.
Experience:
Proven record of successful interaction with individuals from a diverse array of backgrounds, including government officials, traditional leaders, women, the elderly, youth, CSOs, etc.;
Understanding of the social, economic, institutional, and political environment in Malawi including an understanding of local power structures;
Ability to conduct evidence-based policy analysis and play an active role in the development of program policy and direction.;
Knowledge of computer programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel.;
Punctuality;
Intellectual curiosity;
Willingness to take initiative.;
Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.;
Language Requirement
Fluency in English and Chichewa.
Disclaimer
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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