Policy Specialist - Home-based

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) serves as UNDP’s principal channel to external partners and stakeholders, playing a critical role in mobilizing resources, forging strategic partnerships, and advancing advocacy and communications in support of UNDP’s mandate. Embedded within BERA, the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC), through its Joint Support Team (JST) co-hosted by UNDP and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), stands as the leading multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to promoting effectiveness and accountability across all forms of development cooperation. The GPEDC convenes a diverse range of actors—including governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, the private sector, trade unions, and parliamentarians—to champion and implement the principles of effective development cooperation: country ownership, focus on results, inclusive partnerships, and mutual accountability. Anchoring these efforts is the GPEDC’s Monitoring Rounds, which provides a critical, evidence-based framework to assess progress and inform global policy dialogue.

The upcoming 2025 Busan Forum, scheduled for 30 September to 1 October 2025, will be a landmark event, hosted by the Republic of Korea. Occurring shortly after the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in June in Sevilla, the Forum will leverage FfD4 outcomes to guide strategic discussions on the future of effective development cooperation.

Scope of Work

The Policy and Coordination Specialist will play a pivotal role in both the substantive and operational delivery of the Busan Forum 2025 and its related events, working under the guidance of the GPEDC Team Leader and in close collaboration with the Joint Support Team (JST) and key partners. As an integral member of the UNDP-led component of the JST, the Policy Specialist will be responsible for the end-to-end coordination of the Busan Forum, including the preparation of programme, substantive materials, execution of the event, and subsequent follow-up. The Policy Specialist will carry out these duties in close collaboration with UNDP’s Seoul Policy Centre, and BERA’s partnership team, as well as the UNDP Geneva Office.                                    

In particular, the Policy and Coordination Specialist will:

1. Support Substantive Preparation for the Busan Forum, liaising with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and GPEDC stakeholders to:

• Draft concept notes, session agendas, briefing materials, speaking points, and post-event reports for the Busan Forum.
• Maintain and regularly update the Forum’s overall agenda in consultation with RoK, OECD, and JST partners. 
• Coordinate preparation of proposed three thematic sessions: 
  • Session 1: High-level dialogue on Financing for Development Conference 4 (FfD4) outcomes and implications for development effectiveness. 
  • Session 2: Revitalization of the GPEDC, with a special focus on Phase 5 monitoring, evidence-sharing, and supporting country-led policy debates.
  • Session 3: South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSC & TrC), linked to ongoing efforts in Asia-Pacific and follow-ups to the Lisbon Triangular Co-operation meeting.
• Integrate FfD4 outcomes and recommendations into the Busan Forum discussions and outputs.
• Overseeing and contributing to notetaking, as well as communications materials including updating website and social media content, during the Forum (in collaboration with other team members). 
• Overseeing and contributing to dissemination of Busan Forum meeting outcomes including Highlights report.

B) Support Stakeholder coordination for the Busan Forum.

• Under the guidance of the GPEDC Team Leader , serve as focal point for coordination with RoK, OECD, GPEDC Co-Chairs, UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, and JST members.
• Facilitate the engagement of partner countries, with a particular emphasis on amplifying the voices of developing countries.
• Support the organisation and facilitation of a 30^th Steering Committee Meeting (SCM30) on the margins of the Busan Forum.
• Support  OECD-DAC on convening a complementary meeting with South-East Asian providers.

C) Provision of  Operational and Procurement Support

• Collaborate with the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre and BERA teams to support Forum logistics, including venue procurement, budget management, and vendor contracting.
• Provide administrative support for Forum and SCM30 preparations.
• Contribute to procurement in line with UNDP/UN system rules and regulations. 

D) Facilitate Knowledge Management and Communication

• Lead on preparation of communications materials including session briefs, speaker bios, and social media content
• Contribute to updates of GPEDC website content and development of a Highlights Report post-Forum.
• Support JST-led efforts to disseminate lessons and knowledge products emerging from the Forum.

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

 

Institutional Arrangement

• The Policy Specialist will report directly to the GPEDC Team Leader (BERA) and coordinate closely with JST partners, RoK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, OECD-DAC, and UNDP Seoul Policy Centre.
• The Policy Specialist will also liaise with the wider UNDP BERA partnerships team and UNDP regional and country offices as necessary.

Competencies

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Education Requirements:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Public Administration, Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, or related field 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

Work Experience:      

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in International Development 

Required skills            

• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement experiences, especially with governments and multilateral actors.
• Experience in any of the areas of development cooperation, development effectiveness, aid management.
• Proven experience in project and budget management. 
• Experience leading or supporting the organization of conferences and workshops, preferably with the United Nations or international organization.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and relevant digital platforms.

Desired Skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Demonstrated experience with GPEDC, OECD, or UNDP-supported platforms
• Familiarity with UNDP and broader UN System procurement and financial procedures 
• Proven experience in strong service orientation and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience in designing communications materials including updating website and social media content, during the Forum
• Proven experience in drafting  concept notes, session agendas, briefing materials, speaking points, and post-event reports 

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of other UN language is desirable. 
• Knowledge of Korean as third language can be an asset.

Travel

• Official travel to Busan, South Korea, for the Forum and associated SCM will be supported by UNDP following UNDP travel guidelines and upon agreement during the assignment.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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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