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. In this context, UNDP invests in the 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.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

The newly established UNDP Planet Hub will drive UNDP’s vision of a world where economies and ecosystems thrive together — where energy systems are clean and accessible, nature is protected and restored, communities are resilient to climate impacts, and pollution is minimized. By 2030, the Hub seeks to help countries achieve this vision through systemic change that aligns policy, finance, integrated solutions, and societal ownership to advance sustainable human development. Backed by diverse partnerships and funding sources, the Planet Hub combines thought leadership, technical expertise, and strategic collaboration to help countries advance their environmental and economic goals.

The Planet Hub will build on UNDP’s existing portfolio of over USD 5 billion in over 140 countries, as well as on key offers across UNDP. The Planet Hub’s theory of change rests on five mutually reinforcing service lines that together enable systemic transformation:

Intergovernmental and UN System Coherence and Support
National Policies, Strategies, and Planning
Innovative and Integrated Solutions
Scaled-up Finance
Insights, Modeling, and Data

The Planet Hub will be made up of eight interconnected pillars, covering strategic areas of work to deliver its core objective, as well as a set of integrated functions and support that cut across pillars and help ensure cohesive offers and delivery of the Planet Hub. One critical component of the Planet Hub is the portfolio of support to countries on Forests, Land Use and Food Systems. The Forests, Land Use and Food Systems Pillar advances integrated approaches to sustainable land management, forest conservation and restoration, sustainable food systems, and resilient landscapes, recognizing their critical role in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and sustainable development challenges. The Pillar brings together UNDP’s work on forests, land use planning, sustainable agriculture, food systems transformation, ecosystem restoration, nature-positive development, and landscape approaches, while supporting countries to achieve climate, biodiversity, and land degradation objectives under relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Working across the Planet Hub and in collaboration with governments, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, development partners, and the private sector, the Pillar promotes integrated solutions that enhance environmental sustainability, strengthen livelihoods, improve food security, and contribute to resilient and inclusive development pathways.

The Head of Forests, Land Use & Food Systems will be based in Bonn, Germany and will report to the Director of the Planet Hub.

Position Purpose

To help support UNDP’s Strategic Plan, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) established the post of Head of Forests, Land Use & Food Systems in the Planet Hub. As the leader of this portfolio, the incumbent will directly support the Planet Hub’s goals by playing a leading role in coordinating the delivery of the Hub’s strategy across different areas of policy and programming. This includes overseeing the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems portfolio.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Substantive Leadership and Management

Provide substantive leadership of UNDP’s Forests, Land Use & Food Systems, ensuring coherent and effective support to regional bureaux and countries.
Ensure effective coordination and integrated ways of working across the Planet Hub, including with other pillars and functional teams.
Substantively guide the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems Pillar to achieve and maintain coherent development policies and programming frameworks in support of the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
Exercises overall responsibility and accountability for planning, implementation, management, monitoring, and coordination and ensure appropriate tracking and substantive reporting of the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems portfolio for timely and efficient delivery of portfolio outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected results.
Provide supervision and guidance to Forests, Land Use & Food Systems team leads and other other senior advisors in leading their teams to provide substantive services to country offices related to Forests, Land Use & Food Systems and Planet more broadly.
Promotes collaboration and establishes effective working relationships with internal stakeholders (project teams, Regional Bureaux, Country Offices, GPN, etc.) and external stakeholders (donors, partners, civils society).
Establish and oversees a monitoring system of the global impacts and achievements of the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems across projects and programmes.
Provide substantive and managerial oversight of relevant Hub staff at the global and regional levels; and
Participate as part of the Planet Hub Leadership Team, sharing information across pillars and informing strategic direction and decisions for the Hub as it relates to Forests, Land Use & Food Systems.

Integrated Policy Formulation and Programme Support

Oversee and coordinate the corporate UNDP policy positions in relation to Forests, Land Use & Food Systems, drawing on expertise within the pillar, across the Planet Hub and across the organization.
Promote collaboration across the GPN on Forests, Land Use & Food Systems, including across the new BPPS (e.g. Governance and Rule of Law Hub, Prosperity Hub, Sustainable Finance Hub, Hub, Gender Team, Digital, AI and Innovation Hub, Quality and Impact Hub) as well as Crisis Bureau (e.g. Crisis Readiness, Response and Recovery Team, Research, Analytics, Learning and Innovation Team, and Strategic Partnerships and Communications Team).
Lead integrated technical support related to Forests, Land Use & Food Systems, by activating the broad network of UNDP expertise related to this thematic area so as to ensure relevant and timely support to Country Offices and partners.
Oversee the implementation of programming and operational management of the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems portfolio, including being custodian of quality assurance and second tier oversight (delegated as appropriate), in accordance with UNDP Programme Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP), UN Frameworks and project strategy documents.
Support integrated pipeline development in coordination with the other teams and thematic hubs, including the Sustainable Finance Hub and the Quality and Impact Hub, based on consultations with Senior Technical Advisors, Regional Team Leads.
Collaborate with other thematic team leads within and beyond the Planet Hub and the Strategic Innovation Unit on the design of integrated portfolios to address complex issues at the country, regional and global levels; and
Manage efficiently the financial resources of the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems portfolio, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting as needed including in support of the Planet Hub.

Thought Leadership and Positioning and Lead Cross-Organization Knowledge and Learning

Keep abreast of the impact and effectiveness of UNDP’s portfolios related to Forests, Land Use & Food Systems and connect that knowledge and lessons learned to future development and improvement.
Liaise closely with Regional Bureaux, BERA and other parts of the GPN to identify regional/global priorities, opportunities and needs that could be supported/engaged by the Planet Hub, with a focus on Forests, Land Use & Food Systems.
Lead cross-organization knowledge and learning in Forests, Land Use & Food Systems related domains, grounded in the UNDP knowledge strategy, with a view to leveraging all-of-house knowledge in UNDP and in external networks, within which meaningful south-south exchange should be a priority.
Lead and promote capturing knowledge emerging from the development and implementation of programmes at global, regional and country level.
Identify and develop ways of integrating and analysing data and intelligence from both internal and external sources that connect UNDP’s partnership performance with larger political, economic and development cooperation trends.
Lead and contribute to global knowledge management and practice networks to position UNDP as a thought leader on Forests, Land Use and Food Systems, promoting the dissemination of knowledge, evidence, innovations, and lessons learned related to sustainable landscapes, ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, food systems transformation, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient land-use practices.
Analyse global economic and political trends and provide strategic forward-looking analysis of UNDP’s positioning related to Forests, Land Use & Food Systems with key partners, and advise on how best to leverage its external relations opportunities and minimize risks for the organization; and
Scan the horizon, particularly from a political and economic perspective, and assess implications for UNDP’s role as a major multilateral development partner. Monitor the strategic positioning of UNDP with bilateral, UN, and other multilateral institutions, to identify key risks and opportunities.

Resource Mobilization, Advocacy and Communications

Support the Planet Hub Director on hub-wide resource mobilization, strategic communication and partnership and programme development to enable delivery of the Planet Hub strategy.
Develop strategies and carry out mobilization of resources related to <Pillar>, in coordination with other teams across the Planet Hub, and ensure effective utilization of resources in the context of meeting the Hub’s objectives.
Coordinate and work closely with units within the Planet Hub and across the GPN on developing new approaches and strategies for resource mobilization.
Communicate the value and results of UNDP’s work to contributors and constituents to advocate for meeting the needs of SDGs and national development priorities; and
Coordinate with BERA and Regional Bureaux to leverage expertise, networks, and channels around Forests, Land Use & Food Systems and broader Planet issues, including promoting results and sharing information, while also developing external branding, and inspiring people into action.

Develop Strategic Partnerships, Representation and Engagement

Develop strategic partnerships, working with the Planet pillars and Sustainable Finance Hub, the Regional and Central Bureaux, to ensure the development of a global portfolio on Forests, Land Use & Food Systems, that draws on all available sources of funding.
Maintain and develop strong partnerships with key donors of UNDP’s work on Planet, to ensure continued support and explore opportunities for future support.
Mobilize, foster and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN Agencies and Funds, particularly UNEP, FAO, WMO, SE4ALL, IFAD, ILO, UN-HABITAT, and the secretariats of GEF, GCF, UNFCCC, UN CBD, UNCCD; and other agencies within the UN.
Forge key partnerships with governments and CSOs; encourage South-South partnerships.
Expand partnerships with IFIs, Multilateral development Banks, OECD/DAC, Impact Investors and the Private Sector.
Oversee partnerships relevant to Forests, Land Use & Food Systems, with strategic external partners, such as World Bank, Multilateral Development Banks, research institutions and Foundations, and other partnerships.
Represent UNDP in interagency coordination and in other fora to engage partners in advancing the strategic agenda of Forests, Land Use & Food Systemsand sustainable development; and
Represent UNDP at international conferences and seminars, contribute to research, communications and op-eds to advocate the importance of Forests, Land Use & Food Systems in contributing to the sustainable development goals.
Identify and spearhead opportunities for large-scale innovation in UNDP's partnership strategies, particularly around <Pillar>, to advance the Planet Hub and deliver on the Strategic Plan.
Lead corporate discussions on identifying strategic opportunities for engagement and advocacy around Forests, Land Use & Food Systems, and be accountable for distilling key messages through consultative processes.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervision, management, performance management, and development of global staff and consultants will be required.

The Head of Forests, Land Use and Food Systems will supervise a globally distributed team of personnel across Bonn, New York and other locations, including direct reports at the global level and secondary reporting personnel, including Regional Specialists supporting forests, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, sustainable agriculture, and food systems portfolios across UNDP Regional Bureaux.

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.

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross Functional and Technical Competencies:

2030 Agenda - planet - Nature:

Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Access and benefit sharing of biodiversity, land, forests and oceans.
Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme: Protected and Conservation Areas and Systems.

Business Direction and 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 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.
Result-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Natural Sciences, Environmental Management, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, or a closely related field. 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.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years (with master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible experience on Forests, Land Use and Food Systems at the international level is required;
Demonstrated experience in designing and managing complex programmes and strategies to support the implementation of global initiatives related to Forests, Land Use and Food Systems is an asset;
Extensive field-level experience in sustainable land management, forest conservation and restoration, landscape approaches, sustainable agriculture, food systems transformation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and/or nature-based solutions in developing country contexts is required;
Substantive knowledge and practical application of forests, land use planning, food systems, sustainable agriculture, climate-land-food nexus, and relevant policy frameworks and Multilateral Environmental Agreements, including the UNFCCC, UNCBD, and UNCCD are required;
Experience and solid understanding of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, including UNFCCC, UNCBD and UNCCD among others, and its relevant technical and policy areas is required;
A strong track record in overseeing and managing large-scale programmes and portfolios; demonstrated thought leadership in areas such as sustainable landscapes, sustainable agriculture, food systems transformation, and/or climate-resilient land-use planning is required;
Solid and demonstrable understanding of the capacity-building needs to strengthen technical and institutional capacities in the forest, land use and food systems sectors at country or regional level is an asset;
Working experience in developing country contexts including extensive experience advising national and subnational governments on forest governance, sustainable land management, food systems policies, sustainable agriculture, land-use planning, and implementation of national commitments under relevant environmental agreements and frameworks is an asset;
A strong record of progressively responsible, substantive and results-oriented experience at the international level, including in policy and programming, resource mobilization and advocacy is an asset;
Established professional networks of international organizations, think tanks and/or advocacy organizations in areas related to Forests, Land Use and Food Systems, sustainable development, finance and other relevant areas are an asset;
Experience in business systems, human resources management and budgeting is required;
Experience in management of disbursed teams, and budgeting of complex programmes and/or portfolios is an asset;
Proven track record of resource mobilization from public and/or private sources is an asset;
Extensive working experience in international organizations, especially in UN organizations is desirable;
Excellent communications skills with public speaking experience are required.

Language:

Fluency in English, both written and oral is required.
Fluency in other UN languages 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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Head of Forests, Land Use & Food Systems [Open to All Applicants]]