Policy Specialist: Drug Policy and LGBTI+ Inclusion (Home-based)

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.

Job Purpose And Organizational Context

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. The work of UNDP in HIV and Health is guided by the UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and the HIV and Health Strategy (2022-2025) .

UNDP is a founding co-sponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Under the UNAIDS division of labour, UNDP convenes work on law and policy reform support, support to key populations most at risk of HIV: men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who use drugs, and people in prisons and other closed settings. UNDP works closely with Member States, communities, and other UNAIDS co-sponsors to advance the rights of key populations and ensure that HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services, as well as access to justice and human rights, are delivered in ways that leave no one behind. UNDP is an implementing partner of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and malaria and a principal recipient of Global Fund grant in over 20 countries, collaborating closely with all stakeholders on HIV services to key populations. UNDP co-convenes the Interagency Working Group on Key Populations, supports the work of the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV Stigma and Discrimination, the Global Prevention Coalition and supports the UN’s Human Rights Reference Group in the context of law and policy reform and key populations.

In addition to the partnerships and policy engagements described above, UNDP is currently implementing two different global-level projects focusing on specific key populations. In late 2023, UNDP received support from the Federal Republic of Germany for continuing and expanding the work on the LGBTI Inclusion Index and on capacity building for government and other stakeholders on safe and responsible LGBTI+ data collection. This project includes support to specific countries in Africa and Latin America, as well as related global level policy engagements and partnerships. Also in 2023, UNDP received support from the Open Society Foundations, to partner with all stakeholders, including UNAIDS, OHCHR, WHO and UNODC on advancing the International Guidelines to support partnerships to deliver on the UN Common Position on Drugs on drugs worldwide.

Duties And Responsibilities

The UNDP HIV and Health Group is seeking to engage a Policy Specialist to manage the LGBTI+ Inclusion Index project described above, related data, as well as to coordinate LGBTI+ related global-level policy and partnerships. The Policy Specialist will also contribute substantively to the drug policy project described above. The Specialist will be responsible for the following:

Contribute actively and strategically to UNDP work related to the UN Common Position on Drugs

• Contribute to the implementation of programme activities related to the International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy, including through the drug policy initiative supported by OSF.
• Lead on organizing the planned high-level meeting on drug policy and related international consultations.
• Lead on the development and implementation of related national initiatives in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, in consultation with relevant regional HIV and Health Group staff and country office staff.

Manage the LGBTI+ Inclusion Index project and related data collection

• Overall management of the implementation of the LGBTI+ Inclusion Index project, financed by Germany.
• Lead on establishing and managing relevant partnerships, including with ILGA World and other organizations advocating for or working on LGBTI+ related data regionally or globally.
• Lead the development and implementation of related national initiatives in two Latin American and four African countries, in consultation with relevant regional HIV and Health Group staff and country office staff
• Contribute to the training of stakeholders in safe and responsible LGBTI+ data collection.

Coordinate and contribute to global-level policy and programme work with and for key populations

• Lead the development, drafting and launch of relevant policy documents and knowledge products to advance human rights and access to services of key populations.
• When needed, represent UNDP at the Interagency Working Group on Key Populations, the Partnership to end HIV Stigma and Discrimination, the Global Prevention Coalition, the Youth Champions for Equality meetings and other similar fora.
• Liaise with other relevant UNAIDS co-sponsors on matters related to work with and for key populations.
• Liaise with global LGBTI+ organizations with ECOSOC advisory status, support the UN LGBTI+ Core Group and the Equal Rights Coalition.

Drafting, reporting, resource development

• Support strategic partnerships and collaborations with the UN, governments and relevant partners and institutions, including civil society, private sector, and academia.
• Draft relevant concept notes, agendas, reports (including donor reports and UBRAF JPMS reports) and similar documents.
• Contribute to resource development research, discussions and initiatives, draft projects and funding proposals.
• Perform other related activities as directed by the primary and secondary supervisors.

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 be supervised by UNDP’s Manager: Hub on LGBTI+ and Key Populations (based in Pretoria), with secondary supervision by the Human Rights and Access to Health Technologies Specialist (based in New York).

Competencies

Core

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 competencies

• Business direction and 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 and strategy – Negotiation and influence:
• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations
• Business management – Results-based management:
• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
• Partnership management – Relationship management:
• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
• 2030 Agenda: People -Health:
• Universal Health Coverage, including NCDs

• 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

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (master´s degree or equivalent) in public health, international relations, political science, law, or a related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years (with Master´s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of professional experience in human rights, key populations, LGBTI+ people and communities, international affairs, or a related field is required.

Required Skills

• Extensive experience in research, document review, data analysis, proposal writing, report development.
• Excellent project coordination skills.
• Excellent organizational and communications skills.
• Full command of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Forms) and common Internet applications.

Desired Skills

• Experience working with United Nations agencies.
• Extensive experience facilitating complex processes with stakeholders. Good knowledge of UNDP is an advantage.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English (high level) and Spanish (medium level) are required.
• Knowledge of other language (Portuguese and/or French) is an advantage.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

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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