Job description

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The Policy and Partnerships Unit in UNDP Egypt serves as a strategic backbone for the country office, primarily responsible for leading policy work and managing high-level partnerships with government / national institutions, bilateral donors, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), the private sector, foundations, etc.  The unit provides evidence-based policy advice to national counterparts, to support informed decision-making for sustainable development. The unit works closely with programmatic teams to explore new partnerships and new modalities of engagement with partners towards resource diversification and mobilization.  Furthermore, it acts as a convenor and coordinator for multi-stakeholder collaboration on issues that cut across the programmatic themes, —aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Egypt's national development priorities. 

In this context, and as UNDP is increasingly becoming an important partner in SDG financing, including innovative finance solutions, the Country Office is endeavoring to operationalize the Financing for Development (FfD) agenda , within the responsibilities of the Policy and Partnerships team. 

The incumbent will provide analytical and substantive support to the Policy and Partnerships Specialist in convening key stakeholders across the financing ecosystem to align financing with the SDGs. This includes supporting policy dialogues, contributing to evidence-based policy making, and  co-designing and piloting innovative financing tools and mechanisms, while engaging stakeholders, collaborating with policymakers, and advancing solutions that enhance the effectiveness and impact of SDG/development financing.

Scope of work

Under the overall guidance of the Policy and Partnerships Specialist, the incumbent will contribute to the technical and strategic development of sustainable financing within the CO’s programme portfolio. This includes supporting the design of innovative, finance-driven interventions informed by socio-economic analysis and aligned with national development priorities and the SDGs. Policy and Financing Officer will provide policy analysis and technical support across priority thematic areas, contributing to the development of policy briefs, analytical reports and knowledge products. The role also includes supporting programme development and implementation, resource mobilization efforts, and identifying and strengthening partnerships. The incumbent will facilitate thematic and development finance policy dialogues, engage with government counterparts, development partners, and other stakeholders, and support knowledge exchange on thematic priorities and sustainable finance issues relevant to Egypt’s development agenda. Additionally, the Policy and Financing Officer will undertake research and data analysis to inform evidence-based policies across thematic areas, support SDG financing initiatives, and contribute to the organization of high-level events and technical discussion to advance CO priorities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The following key responsibilities outline the role in detail:

1.Provide strategic input for the design and implementation of the office’s research and policy advocacy programmes/ projects focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provide policy analysis and technical support on priority thematic areas, contributing to the development of policy briefs, analytical reports, and strategic inputs aligned with national development priorities and the SDGs. 
• Undertake research and data analysis to inform evidence-based decision-making, including the compilation, analysis, and interpretation of socio-economic and policy data. 
• Support the preparation of high-quality knowledge products, including talking points, briefing notes, concept notes, and reports for senior management and external stakeholders. 
• Support the organization of policy dialogues, workshops, and high-level events, including coordination of logistics and substantive inputs.
• Lead the drafting of Terms of Reference related to project implementation, and monitor contracts and implementation of activities as needed. 
• Provide inputs and strategic recommendations for the development of relevant programme/project proposals in line with UNDP’s Country Programme and for scaling up of the SDG finance portfolio, when appropriate in close collaboration with UNDP and other UN agencies regional and corporate networks of experts.
• In close consultation with the relevant stakeholders, identify areas for support and intervention within the area of sustainable financing to maintain UNDP’s relevance within the context of the country’s evolving development situation.
• Provide policy advice and technical support to the design and implementation of SDG finance policy projects of the portfolio through consultation with the Government, development partners, UN agencies, financial institutions, NGOs/CSOs and other partners.
• Contribute to gender-mainstreaming in research and analysis, as well as in the formulation of policies, programme interventions, procedures, guidelines, and tools of the SPP team.

2.Ensure provision of high-quality policy advisory services to the Governments, financial sector and relevant stakeholders, facilitation of knowledge management and capacity building, and promotion of effective cross-project and cross-unit knowledge exchange, with a focus on achieving the following results:

• Contribute to the development of integrated policy solutions, linking governance, financing, and sectoral interventions, and supporting the application of tools such as SDG acceleration and financing frameworks. 
• Facilitate coordination with national counterparts and partners, including government entities, development partners, and UN agencies, to support policy dialogue and joint initiatives. 
• Conduct research and analysis on policy-relevant issues related to SDG financing and other related topics and identify strategic entry points and partnerships to address national priorities. Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned on key thematic issues, and promote knowledge sharing across portfolios and programme teams, within and outside the country office and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support knowledge management and policy advocacy, ensuring availability of data, analysis, results, and communication material to showcase progress, achievements and impact of UNDP’s work in development finance, including contributing to UNDP global policy networks and communities of practice.
• Prepare briefs, talking points, and analytical documents as required.

3.Ensure development of strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization efforts with a focus on the achievement of the following results:

• Manage partnership development and support resource mobilization efforts, including the preparation of project proposals and knowledge products, and participation in relevant country and regional-focused meetings, in line with the country office’s partnership and resource mobilization strategy.
• Ensure and facilitate access to thought leaders and technical expertise to support the design and implementation of innovative approaches to development financing. 
• Build, nurture and maintain strategic partnerships and networks of knowledge and implementation partners on SDG financing, and support the implementation of regional partnership strategies with UN and external partner institutions, including governments, IFIs, private sector, academia, NGOs, and CSOs.
• Participate in relevant external meetings, including partnership building, resource mobilization, and advocacy activities with UN partners, and external stakeholders.

4.Support the management of projects/programmes under the policy portfolio, including ensuring effective quality assurance and oversight, and application of Results Based Management (RBM) across the portfolio

• Monitor implementation of policy projects, and liaise with relevant UN agencies, key stakeholders, and implementing partners to track project progress, support problem-solving, and implement corrective measures.
• Ensure effective application of RBM tools and project/programme monitoring and evaluation procedures and guidelines to support achievement of outcome level results.
• Where relevant, support the effective management, monitoring and reporting of country office programmes and projects.
• Where relevant, in collaboration with the programme units and project management units, develop project annual workplans, including detailed plans for procurement and recruitment of goods and services.
• Support the preparation of high quality project and donor reports, ensuring alignment with reporting standards.

5.Other responsibility

• Support the Head of Policy and Partnerships team in overseeing and managing research projects in other thematic areas, including human development, green transition, etc.
• Contribute to other office-wide initiatives and perform additional tasks as required to support UNDP’s overall mandate.

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

Institutional arrangements

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Policy and Partnerships Specialist under the overall guidance of the RR.

Competencies

Core 

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 :

Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Direction & 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
Business Development Collective Intelligence Design

Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services.

Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.

Business Development  Knowledge Generation

Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 

Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations

Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals. 
Partnership Management Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
2030 Agenda: Partnerships  SDG Finance  Public Finance for the SDGs.
2030 Agenda: Partnerships  SDG Finance Unlocking Private Capital and Aligning Business Operations for the SDGs.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum academic requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in fields related to Economics, Political/Social Science, International Law, Social Affairs, International Relations or related fields, is required.  Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum number of years of relevant work experience

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in providing technical advice, conducting research, formulating policies, and/or developing and managing complex projects in sectors applicable to Sustainable Development Finance and private sector partnerships.

Required skills

• Experience in fostering networks and partnerships and ability to provide coordination with the UN Agencies, international and other organizations present in the sector.
• Strong experience with bilateral or multilateral organizations in Sustainable Development and SDG Finance.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based ERP management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

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

• Experience with project planning and consulting, including the effective provision of substantive technical leadership and guidance, oversight, monitoring, and reporting for projects/programmes with similar scale, scope, and complexity.
• Experience with Quantum ERP system is desirable.
• Prior engagement with UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub offers, tools, or initiatives is an asset.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required. 
• Knowledge of an additional UN language is desirable.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

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