IMPORTANT: Under the JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of Denmark. 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 (United Nations Development Programme) 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. Additionally, the JPO will undergo a journey of exposure and growth which will build both personal and professional capacity for a career within the multilateral development sector.

As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.

The JPO will work as part of a team and be supervised by an experienced UNDP staff member, including:
•     Structured guidance and feedback, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing of responsibilities
•     Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
•     Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
•     Completion of the yearly UNDP Annual Performance Review (APR) including learning and development objectives

The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:
•     Participation in a virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
•     Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
•     On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
•     Career development support mechanisms and activities
•     Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
•     Mentoring programme
•     Other training and learning opportunities.
Organizational context

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work is carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, and forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. UNDP’s Crisis Bureau, under its recent Offer 2.0, aims to galvanize the organization’s efforts to support programme countries to build resilience by strengthening capacities to prevent, anticipate, respond to, and recover from the impacts of crises and shocks on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These efforts are geared towards reducing countries’ reliance on external humanitarian relief and peace interventions; and risk-informing development planning and decision-making so that development investments minimize the creation of new risks.

The Crisis Bureau’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery (DRT) for Building Resilience Team provides integrated policy and programme support on disaster risk reduction and recovery in the context of UNDP’s broader approach to resilience building. The Team specifically fosters the integration of risk reduction as a key element in sustainable development and recovery at national, sub-national and sectoral level. Whilst working in close collaboration with related fields such as climate change, governance, conflict prevention and livelihoods, the Team focuses its support on the following thematic areas:
•     Disaster and Climate Resilience
•     Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Governance
•     Risk Information, Early Warning and Preparedness
•     Recovery Preparedness, Assessments and Implementation
•     Urban and Community Risk Management and Resilience

UNDP has consistently showcased its impactful role in mitigating and addressing loss and damage through its robust Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and recovery initiatives. Notable is that UNDP prioritizes (i) preparedness capacity development, (ii) early warning systems, and climate risk information services, (iii) digital solutions for emergency preparedness and management, (iv) the use of aerial and space-based imagery for future risk analysis, (v) enhanced access to disaggregated data for marginalized, weaker, and disabled segments of society and (vi) in disaster recovery, UNDP’s support centers around recovery preparedness, post-disaster needs assessments (PDNAs) and recovery programming.

Further, UNDP has been providing technical input in the establishment of the new loss and damage fund which was agreed at COP27 in 2022. Specifically, UNDP has been supporting the UNFCCC’s Loss and Damage Technical Support Unit to the Transitional Committee (TC) through the preparation of papers and participation in meetings of the TC. During the COP28 and CMA plenary meetings, Parties adopted a historic decision to operationalize a new loss and damage fund and funding arrangements. The decision was prepared based on the recommendations put forward by the Transitional Committee (TC). The decision also includes recommendations to scale up and provide enhanced coordination and cohesion around existing funding arrangements. In particular, UNDP has been invited by Parties to support interim secretariat arrangements for the fund, alongside UNFCCC Secretariat and GCF Secretariat.

Position Purpose

The Disaster Recovery sub-team of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery Team (DRT) of the UNDP Crisis Bureau is responsible for policy and practice development on disaster recovery. It is also the responsibility of the Recovery sub-team to provide support to UNDP Country Offices and UN Country Teams in their efforts to strengthen national capacities in preparedness for recovery, which includes building capacities for recovery assessments, recovery planning and implementation. The team provides high quality advice and programmatic support in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of recovery activities.

The Recovery analyst reports to the DRT Recovery Advisor. The incumbent will support the recovery sub-team to provide policy and programme support, as well as technical guidance on recovery issues for UNDP, and help represents UNDP in the wider recovery community of practice (CoP), including with the UN system, the World Bank, Regional Intergovernmental Organizations, Regional Development Banks, bilateral partners, external experts, etc. The Recovery analyst will support the team the provide coherent policy and programme advisory services at the global level and across regions, as per the requirements of the UNDP Strategic Plan.  Also, the recovery analyst will provide support to the Recovery sub-team in ensuring effective development of the disaster recovery practice and assistance to countries in establishing and/or reinforcing capacities and institutional, legislative and policy frameworks for disaster recovery planning and implementation.
Key Duties and Accountabilities

1)    The incumbent will provide support to the Recovery sub-team of the DRT in its work in recovery policy and programme development over the course of one to two-year assignment. Specific tasks are as follows:

• Support monitoring and coordination of ongoing recovery projects, with a particular focus on the Africa Community Recovery and Resilience Facility (CRRF) and Building Capacities for Resilient Recovery in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) initiatives.
• Support communication and reporting related to these projects with donors and relevant partners.
• Facilitate access for country offices to toolkits, knowledge products, guidelines, lessons learned documents on disaster recovery that are necessary for the implementation of project activities.
• Provide technical inputs for the design, development, and implementation of new capacity building programmes in recovery management (preparedness for recovery) at national and local levels.
• Support UNDP country offices in the development of post-disaster recovery programmes and projects based on the findings of a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) or other relevant assessments.
• Contribute to planning and substantive reporting on UNDP disaster recovery policy and programme support against the UNDP Strategic Plan.
• Participate in country support missions for the conduct of PDNAs, development of recovery frameworks and programmes as required.

2)    Knowledge Management and Community of Practice:

• Contribute to the development of knowledge products on disaster recovery by conducting background research to inform these documents.
• Take stock of the lessons learnt and good practices in disaster recovery to inform policy and programme development and share them with colleagues of the DRT at both HQ and regional level and the DRR and Recovery community of practice (CoP).
• Collect, compile and maintain updated information on existing UNDP disaster recovery projects and programmes and share this information with colleagues of the DRT at both HQ and regional level.
• Assist with the preparation of regular activity and progress reports, as well as the preparation of briefing notes, speeches, articles and stories for dissemination to programme countries, partners, donors and within UNDP about our activities in recovery.
• Assist with the organization of trainings, workshops, conferences, and meetings related to the work of the Recovery sub-team.
• Support Recovery Team with corporate reporting requirements on the Strategic plan and other workplans.

3)    Provide support to DRR and Recovery Team in managing projects and programmes :

• Support countries in implementing project activities including disbursement and tracking use of funds for the projects, with a particular focus on the Africa Community Recovery and Resilience Facility (CRRF) and Building Capacities for Resilient Recovery in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) initiatives.
• Assist with preparation of donor reporting requirements for these projects
• Support monitoring and evaluation of these recovery programmes.
• Carry out other support duties related to the mandate and functions of UNDP as assigned by the supervisor.

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 and Technical

Master’s Degree (or equivalent Advanced Degree) or Bachelor’s Degree in development studies, environmental studies, disaster management and/or climate change adaption.

Work Experience

• With a MA degree – a minimum of two years relevant and paid experience – maximum 4 years.
• With a BA degree  – a minimum of four years relevant and paid experience – maximum 6 years.
• The working experience should be at national or international level in planning, implementing and managing programmes and/or projects related to development – with preference for programmes/projects related to on climate and disaster risk reduction and recovery;
• Good understanding and/or direct work experience with development agencies such as international organisation and/or national or international NGOs.

Language skills

• Fluency (oral and written) in English;
• Working knowledge in French and/or Spanish will be considered an advantage.

Nationality of the candidate

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

Attachments needed e.g.: 
•     A brief motivation letter in English that explains why you’re the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements
•     Copy of your passport
•     Copy of your Master degree
Approximate start date: 15 January 2025