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Programme Advisor

Beijing

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Beijing
  • Grade: Senior level - IPSA-12, International Personnel Services Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: 2025-01-04

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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 Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI) (originally known as the Tumen River Area Development Programme –TRADP), is an intergovernmental cooperation mechanism in Northeast Asia, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with a membership of four countries: People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Russian Federation. 
 
In 1995, member governments signed formal agreements to establish the intergovernmental cooperation mechanism, aimed at strengthening economic and technical cooperation, and attaining greater growth and sustainable development for the peoples and countries in Northeast Asia and the Tumen River area in particular. 

Since its creation, the GTI has remained a unique intergovernmental platform for economic cooperation, fostering peace, stability and sustainable development in Northeast Asia. It is playing a significant role in expanding policy dialogue and strengthening a business-friendly environment in the region, therefore contributing to the improvement of living standards through the development of infrastructure and the promotion of trade and investment. 

In 2005, the member countries agreed to assume the full ownership, and focus on the promotion of regional cooperation in the key sectors of economy: energy, transport, tourism, trade & investment, environment and agriculture. 

In recent years, GTI member countries recognized the importance to expand cooperation in wider areas, and agreed to establish the new mechanisms under the GTI framework. In this connection, the Northeast Asia Local Cooperation Committee, NEA EXIM Bank Association, GTI Research Institutions Network, and NEA Business Association were established.

Currently, GTI is in the process of legal transition to an independent international organization. The discussion on legal texts is undergoing.


Duties and Responsibilities
 
Under the supervision of the Director of the GTI Secretariat, the Programme Advisor is expected to lead in the development of GTI, particularly focusing on the Trade and Investment Sector, NEA Business Association and the liaison function between ROK and cooperation partners.

Reporting to GTI Secretariat Director

Responsibilities:

  • Develop a strategy for developing trade and investment among the GTI member countries and implement the strategic documents including GTI Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 and the Roadmap for Trade and Investment Cooperation of the GTI (2024-2026) and its updates.
  • Provide the strategic direction and operate the GTI Trade and Investment Committee (TIC) and the GTI Customs Sub-Committee (CSC) and organize related international events in cooperation with the members of TIC and CSC and other partners.
  • Lead in designing and implementing the projects on facilitating trade and boosting trade and investment, with making efforts of mobilizing financial and/or human resources from the GTI member countries and other partners.
  • Lead in conducting research and surveys on enhancing trade and investment in Northeast Asia (NEA), based on the statistical data from international sources and others.
  • Develop and manage a public-private partnership dialogue in the Greater Tumen Region (GTR), including the operating of the NEA Business Association, organizing the NEA Policy dialogue on industrial parks.
  • Advise the ROK Government in performing duties regarding the GTI projects that are initiated or funded by the ROK government and/or in communicating with the ROK government.
  • Perform other tasks as requested by the Director of the GTI Secretariat.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.


Competencies

Core competencies
  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competences: 
 
Business Management
  • Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
  • Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 
  • Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Direction and Strategy 

  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system 

Partnership Management 

  • Multistakeholder Engagement and Funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms 

Business Development 

  •  Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange. 
Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Trade & Investment, Economics, Trade, Political Sciences, Business Administration, International Relations or Development Studies is required. OR 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) In the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years (with master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of work experience in the field of economic development, including hands-on experience in designing, monitoring, and executing development projects
  • Extensive experience in the field of trade and investment promotion, or trade facilitation, other regional economic development or cooperation is required
  • Expert knowledge of the situation of trade and investment in the Northeast Asian region is preferred
  • Experience in national and international economic programs or cooperation is an asset.
  • Experience in managing international or inter-governmental programs and projects, especially related to trade and investment is preferred.

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required. 
  • Knowledge of 1-2 GTI languages: Korean, Chinese, Russian, and Mongolian is desired. 
Disclaimer

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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