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 is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. Within UNDP, the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub (GRP), guides UNDP’s corporate strategies and vision for governance and peacebuilding.

The Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding Hub, a joint endeavor of the Crisis Bureau (CB) and the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), integrates work across governance, rule of law and peacebuilding (GRP) to substantially improve UNDP positioning and resource mobilization, global advocacy; advance principled and effective solutions that support accountable, inclusive and effective governance and prevent and respond to crisis, and enable peacebuilding and early recovery from crisis, whilst addressing underlying risks. The Hub’s functions involve providing leadership, advising on strategic positioning, managing global programmes, developing GRP development solutions, supporting country office programming, and providing crisis response and recovery support on GRP. Its work is organized according to the following thematic areas: governance of public goods and services; rule of law and security; peacebuilding; human rights; business and human rights; democratic institutions and processes; local action; and open and inclusive public sphere. Digital transformation, data for SDG16+, and gender equality play a cross-cutting role.

The UNDP Global Policy Centre for Governance (GPCG) supports policymakers and practitioners by generating evidence, research, developing policy guidance and alternatives, and advancing new approaches to governance with a strong contribution to advancing SDG 16 on peaceful, just and inclusive societies. With a thematic focus on data and data systems and financial integrity, the Centre will develop integrated alternatives and solutions to challenges and persistent problems, exploring its priority thematic streams as distinct yet inter-linked pre-conditions for building trust in governance systems and for advancing development.

The Centre’s priority workstream on financial integrity focuses on developing integrated policy alternatives and solutions including systemic derisking approaches that improve predictability, accountability, and the enabling environment for sustainable investment in governance. This includes key workstreams including -

Conducting diagnostic analysis of governance and financial integrity risks affecting domestic resource mobilization and public finance management in selected countries or sectors;
Developing and testing policy alternatives and analytical tools that strengthen financial integrity, including approaches that support systemic derisking for sustainable investment in governance;
Convening policymakers, practitioners and research partners to co-create policy alternatives and solutions that may inform and advance global policy dialogue on financial integrity and governance for financing for development;
Promoting knowledge exchange and learning on good practices and standards for financial integrity;
Disseminating, advocating, and monitoring uptake of policy alternatives and solutions.

Position Purpose

Under the supervision of the Team Lead, Integrated Data and Governance Solutions, the Financial Integrity Specialist will provide expertise within GPCG’s focus area on financial integrity which aims to develop integrated policy alternatives and solutions that address complex financial integrity issues with national and global implications. The Financial Integrity Specialist will contribute to research and analysis; develop, test and support uptake and advocacy of policy alternatives and tools; and promote knowledge exchange and learning.

The incumbent will also be expected to play a key role in building collaboration, strategic partnerships, and coalitions in support of financial integrity, across the UN Development System and within the international development community with view to achieving impact at scale as well as results that may catalyse systemic change at country, regional, and global levels.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks and crises that the world is facing and the imperative to bring together multidisciplinary teams for an integrated and systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead policy research

In close consultation with UNDP Regional Hubs and global thematic teams, identify priority issues and contribute to the Centre’s strategic direction of the financial integrity portfolio and its workstreams at country, regional, and global levels;
Undertake data and policy research and analysis on critical governance dimensions of financial integrity that include for example, systems de-risking in order to create an enabling environment for investments in governance at country, regional, and global levels;
Collaborate with technical partners working on governance dimensions of financial integrity, in order to strengthen synergies, coordination, and institutional technical cooperation on data and evidence-based research initiatives.

Lead policy development

Provide technical expertise toward the development of integrated policy alternatives and/or integrated solutions on critical governance dimensions of financial integrity on development, through a whole of society approach.
Conceptualize and implement stakeholder engagements (e.g. country-level dialogues, global roundtables or side events) and other platforms or fora to stimulate peer discourse, technical and knowledge exchange on policy alternatives and/or solutions;
Engage with government, private sector, civil society and international organizations, to build consensus or policy alternatives from reforms;
Contribute to innovative processes to address emerging challenges around financial integrity in particular as they relate to artificial intelligence
Develop policy briefs and reports, and product knowledge products;
Collaborate with partners toward testing, application and uptake of policy alternatives and/or solutions, at country levels.

Facilitate knowledge management and learning

Map best practices and identify opportunities for south-south and triangular cooperation with countries that have successfully adopted and implemented measures in support of financial integrity including de-risking approaches, fiscal and domestic resource mobilization transparency, etc.
Support capacity strengthening, peer learning, knowledge transfer and exchange across Country Offices and national partners, through webinars, fora and other convening formats
Ensure that learning and knowledge engagements reinforce linkages with relevant frameworks (e.g. INFF) or global processes (e.g. Financing for Development).
Contribute to and build knowledge partnerships within and outside the UN system
Strengthening knowledge exchange on governance aspects of financial integrity across relevant UNDP Communities of Practice

Advocacy, partnerships, and representation

In collaboration with the UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub and other relevant teams:

Conceptualize and implement with partners, strategic advocacy engagements on financial integrity at global level;
Represent UNDP and, where appropriate, UN partner organizations, to advocate for financial integrity at relevant regional and international fora;
Leverage external partnerships especially in Norway and among Nordic institutions in support of global progress on financial integrity;
Contribute to strengthening of partnerships with research institutes, civil society organisations, international and regional organisations; and between Nordic and Southern based institutions working on issues of financial integrity.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent will oversee select areas of work of an Intern in the Integrated Solutions team.

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-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-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.

2030 Agenda: Peace-Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Safeguarding human rights and protecting vulnerable groups

2030 Agenda: Peace-Governance: Public Sector Strengthening and Innovation

2030 Agenda: Peace-Governance: SDG 16- (Measurement and Monitoring)

Business Development-UNDP Representation: Effectively represent and advocate for UNDP, its values, mission, work, and positions with various constituencies/audiences, shares UNDP knowledge and activities.

2030 Agenda: Partnerships- SDG Finance: Public Finance for the SDGs

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in International Development, Political Science, Economics, Public Finance, Development Financing, Public Policy, or a relevant 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.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in the area of governance, public finance, development financing, or a related field including at least 3 years of directly relevant professional experience working on financial integrity-related issues from a governance perspective (e.g. domestic resource mobilization, development finance, public financial management, anti-corruption, business and human rights, tax justice, fiscal transparency, etc.) with a research organization, government, bilateral donor organization or international organization is required.
Proven policy research experience with publications, policy briefs, guidance and/or working papers in the context of financial integrity and governance is required.
Experience in leading consultations and facilitating discussions among a wide group of stakeholders on complex topics with strong political economy dimensions is required.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of regional and international financial integrity systems, processes, and frameworks is required.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of governance and financial integrity at country level, especially developing countries is required.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of current debates regarding international financial accountability, tax justice transparency and integrity, financing for sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda is required.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of normative frameworks for human rights is required.
Experience working in developing countries is desired.
Experience working on Integrated National Financing Frameworks is desired.
Experience working with the UN system in a similar function is desired.
Prior experience managing and analysing large amounts of data (at systems) is desired.
Experience in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and the ability to convey complex technical topics to diverse audiences is desired.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge on the opportunities and risk of digitalisation and AI in the field of financial integrity is desired.
Experience in Risk assessment (e.g. regulatory compliance, credit risk assessment, due diligence) is desired.

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.

Financial Integrity Specialist (Open to all applicants)