UN Foundation Policy Manager, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data 73 views

Position Overview

The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), hosted at the UN Foundation, is a fast-growing, dynamic international network bringing together over 250 partners including governments, international organizations, private companies, civil society organizations, and many others. We make connections and broker partnerships to improve data production, access and use to drive better decisions to end poverty, improve environmental sustainability and advance equal opportunities for all.

Working closely with the Senior Director of Policy and the secretariat team, the Policy Manager will lead GPSDD’s advocacy on data financing. S/he will bring an in-depth understanding of financing for development, donor dynamics and multi-lateral politics as well as experience with the United Nations and UN processes, and will be eager to apply this experience to global advocacy on data. S/he will be joining a dynamic team based around the world that supports a vibrant and innovative network working to improve data for better decisions.

Essential Functions

• Lead on GPDD’s policy work to influence the landscape of data financing, including through specific projects and broader partner engagement and advocacy. This will include:
  • Leading a strategy to build political support for data and statistics in the agriculture sector and with a focus on the UN’s Rome-based Agencies; and
  • Leading GPSDD’s engagement and support for the Bern Network on Financing for Development Data and advocacy around its five-point Action Agenda.
• Assess political dynamics and trends around Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) for data and statistics, digital transformation and innovation and identify entry points for advocacy and increasing support.
• Track policy issues arising from GPSDD’s national and regional engagement and create linkages to advocacy on financing for data and innovation.
• Maintain an awareness of the landscape and debates on data for development, and funding for digital transformation and innovation more broadly, and cross-cutting policy issues in relation to implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals and multilateral politics.
• Support the GPSDD’s policy work by conducting research, analysis and writing, executing convenings, and contributing to the overall strategy.
• Proactively identify opportunities for the GPSDD to play a useful role in debates and policy development on financing for data and the SDGs.
• Act as the primary GPSDD liaison with key partners and support GPSDD’s partner engagement strategy.
• Represent GPSDD externally as needed.
• Author reports, blogs and other knowledge products.
• Work with the Communications team to develop content as needed.
• Maintaining working knowledge of the UNF agreement process (for both contracts and grants), and when to utilize the proper templates accordingly. (As applicable to the role)
• Drafting and reviewing agreements and maintaining an understanding of all agreement terms and applicable flow-downs, consulting with UNF’s finance/contracts team as needed. (As applicable to the role)
• Attending training sessions provided by UNF’s contracts team to maintain and keep up to date with UNF’s current policies and procedures. (As applicable to the role)
• Maintain a strong knowledge of UNF’s Salesforce database to be able to process and track agreements, extract information and prepare reports. (As applicable to the role)
• Other duties as assigned.

Selection Criteria

• 7 years’ experience in international development and financing, development data, or foreign policy and master’s degree in related field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in UN or other multilateral setting.
• Knowledge of the food and agriculture sector preferred.
• Proven ability to research, analyze, and write on a variety of policy and development issues.
• Proven ability to work across departments and with partners from different organizations to accomplish mission.
• Communications skills (listening, speaking, and writing).
• Continuous learning skills and the ability to synthesize information.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to flexibly manage multiple tasks with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Team player that is interested in being part of a highly functioning, fast-paced group of professionals.
• Willingness to help out with tasks beyond their immediate role when needed.
• Sense of humor and ability to work well with individuals from very different cultural and institutional backgrounds.
• Experience with the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Multi-cultural experience.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle stress.
• Ability to meet regular attendance/tardiness policy.

Benefits & Compensation

For full-time, benefit eligible employees in the United States, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

• a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
• group term and supplemental life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• health club discounts
• commuter subsidy
• back-up care
• employee assistance program

Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.

The United Nations Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative-action employer. The United Nations Foundation provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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