Nexus Academy Manager (Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants only).

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

UNDP provides integrated programmatic, policy and financing solutions to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this context, UNDP has created a Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Crisis Bureau (CB) are the two anchor Bureaux of the GPN.

The Crisis Bureau (CB) spearheads UNDP’s efforts to support countries on a key challenge: how to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and recover from fragility and crisis. CB addresses the risks that precipitate crises, prevent early exit from them, and perpetuate long-term dependency on humanitarian assistance.

Guided by UNDP’s Crisis Offer (2022), CB works within the GPN and with Regional Bureaux (RBx) and Country Offices (COs) to implement solutions across prevention, response and recovery that help break the cycle of protracted fragility and crisis.

CB is organized into five core teams. Each team integrates gender considerations across all areas of work to ensure inclusive and sustainable outcomes, leaving no one behind.

The Research, Analytics, Learning, and Innovation (RALI) Team harnesses the combined power of thought leadership, decision intelligence, learning and innovation to position UNDP as an agile and future forward leader on risk management across the HDP nexus.

The team’s objectives include investing in organisational capacity for top-tier research and analytics on multidimensional risks, unlocking crisis financing through innovation, and by providing best-in-class training and networking for humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding communities. The Team collaborates with relevant units in CB, Central and Regional Bureaux to achieve its objectives.
The RALI Team's functions are divided into three main areas:

• · Thought Leadership: Establishing standards for research and knowledge products, managing a multi-year research agenda, and developing a global risk practice to inform UNDP's advisory services.
• · Crisis Financing: Leading the UNDP Crisis Financing Facility to unlock funds for fragile and crisis contexts by developing partnerships and instruments with public and private financial institutions.
• · Learning and Innovation: Positioning the UNDP Crisis Academy as a as a leading global source of learning, experience-sharing, and networking on risk management across development, fragile and crisis settings.

The Nexus Academy is a global learning platform, initiated in 2021 by the DAC-UN Dialogue and powered by the UNDP Crisis Academy. It that seeks to build consensus and promote a shared understanding of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus. Its delivery approach is centered around three pillars: learning, community, and action. Operating at the intersection of humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding, the Nexus Academy emphasizes integrated approaches to complex crises. It equips professionals to address challenges in fragile settings, fostering coordination, collaboration, and coherence across sectors.

Multi-stakeholder training cohorts are the flagship activity of the Nexus Academy. These cohorts bring together representatives from UN organisations, member states, and experts and provide them with the skills, tools and capacities to accelerate nexus approaches in their regular work and when deployed, linking headquarters to programme staff to ensure joined-up nexus approaches.

Graduates of the Academy automatically become part of the Nexus Academy Alumni Network — a growing global community of over 1,300 practitioners advancing integrated HDP approaches across institutions and regions. The Network sustains collaboration beyond the classroom through peer exchange and thematic dialogues such as our ‘Open House’ sessions.

The Nexus Knowledge Hub is a curated global repository of practical resources supporting operationalisation of the HDP Nexus. Featuring academic reports, case studies, institutional frameworks, and operational guidance, the Nexus Knowledge Hub (currently in Beta version) strengthens evidence-based learning and provides the Nexus Academy course participants with a one-stop-shop of actionable knowledge and tools.

Position Purpose

The Nexus Academy Manager will manage the Nexus Academy project and work under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, Policy Research and Learning, RALI team. S/he will collaborate with other colleagues across Crisis Bureau, including the Crisis Academy, and the Strategic Partnerships and Communications (SPC) team. S/he will also collaborate and coordinate closely with different substantive teams within the Crisis Bureau and the wider GPN, as relevant. S/he is responsible for the following: 

1. Project management, accountability and planning
2. Learning and knowledge management
3. Strategic partnerships development, reporting and resource mobilization.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Management and strategic direction of the Global HDP Nexus Academy

• Prepare the Nexus Academy Annual Workplans budgets, and proposals in line with the UNDP Programs and Operations Policies and Procedures in coordination with all relevant stakeholders
• Provide strategic advice and technical oversight for the Nexus Academy to ensure that all outputs are high quality and consistent with the effective delivery of results according to the Project Document
• Ensure strategic planning, set priorities and sequence activities for the project.
• Manage the team to ensure coordinated implementation of activities and workplans
• Organize the Steering Committee and lead the Technical Advisory Group meetings and ensure follow-up and communication of the decisions to partners
• Efficiently manage all financial, material and human resource assets of the project and report regularly on project results and outcomes.
• Ensure compliance of project operations with UNDP rules and regulations, establishment of targets and monitoring of achievement of results, including Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) 

2.) Learning and knowledge management

• Keep the Nexus Academy curriculum up to date and support UNDP’s thought leadership in the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus
• Ensure the strategic direction of the Nexus Academy, and the delivery of high-quality trainings and other learning services.
• Work closely with the SPC team for tailored engagements in field locations
• Manage the overall outreach and impact measurement of the Nexus Academy
• Provide quality assurance to the work of the Nexus Knowledge Hub
• Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learnt generated by the project through research, surveys to produce knowledge-based products.

3.) Strategic partnerships development, donor relations and resource mobilization

• Establish and maintain sound partnerships with the INCAF Secretariat, DAC UN Dialogue, partner agencies, donors and other strategic partners
• Lead the Nexus Academy networking with the aim to enhance coordination and cooperation among key parties concerned and advance HDP approaches at global level
• Partnering with practitioners and members of UNDP regional and global networks. 
• Proactively identify potential sources of funding and assist in resource mobilization for the project expansion/scaling up through development of concept notes and funding proposals to the potential donors and promoting project deliverables at the relevant development platforms.
• Manage the engagement and reporting with donors.
• Ensure visibility of the Nexus Academy, including adherence to visibility standards and templates 

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

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 competencies:

Business Direction Strategy & Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with HDPN Academy objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.

Business Direction and Strategy Systems 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 & 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.

Business Management-Portfolio Management: 

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
• Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Business Management & Project Management: Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management & Partnerships Management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

External Relations & Advocacy/Partnership management & Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness & Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement: Humanitarian-Development Peace (HDP) Nexus.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in development studies, social sciences, public policy, public administration, process engineering, organisational development, knowledge management, systems thinking or other relevant fields 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:

• A minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of experience in multi-stakeholder coordination, analysis, planning and programming and positions of increasing responsibility in developing recovery and peacebuilding plans or strategies, coordination with humanitarian and/or peace actors in fragile and crisis contexts. 
• Proven track-record of design and facilitation of training and other learning events is required.
• Strong knowledge of the UN’s institutional architecture, policies and operations related to humanitarian, peace and development (HDP) settings is required. 
• Experience in program and project design, execution, financing and resource mobilization is required. 
• Demonstrated track-record of excellence in UN/inter-agency coordination and managing partnerships is an advantage
• Proven experience working in different geographical areas, and development settings, including crisis/fragile contexts would be advantage. 
• Experience in implementing the HDP Nexus at field level is an advantage
• Strong communication skills (written and spoken) essential.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and French with excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Working knowledge of other UN language is an asset.

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. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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