Southeast Asia Specialist (Npsa10)

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.

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to inclusive finance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia and the Pacific, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It can provide seed capital both grants and loans as well as technical support that will improve poor peoples’ lives. Established by the General Assembly in 1966 and with headquarters in New York, UNCDF is an autonomous UN organization affiliated with UNDP.

UNCDF hosts the Secretariat of the Better Than Cash Alliance.

The Better Than Cash Alliance is a partnership of 80 governments, companies and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty, drive inclusive growth and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Billions of dollars in cash payments and transfers are made daily in emerging and developing economies, including payment of salaries, social welfare and relief, payments to suppliers, remittances, etc. The problems with these cash payments include a lack of transparency, accountability and security, as well as inefficiency. Furthermore, the individuals who receive the cash payments are often part of the 1.7 billion excluded from the formal financial sector. This means they are excluded from access to a range of appropriate and affordable financial services to help them save safely, take advantage of economic opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to risk.

Shifting these payments from cash to digital has the potential to improve the lives of low- income people, particularly women -who are twice as likely to be excluded from the financial system, while giving governments, the development community and the private sector a more transparent, time and cost efficient, and often safer means of disbursing payments. Digitizing payments can also contribute to women’s economic participation by providing them with more control over family finances, increasing personal security, and improving economic opportunities.

The Alliance Secretariat works with its members to navigate their digitization journeys, by:

• Providing advisory services based on member priorities
• Conducting advocacy at national, regional and global levels
• Sharing action-oriented research and fostering peer learning

The Better Than Cash Alliance Secretariat Core Values

• Achieving together
• Service oriented
• Results oriented
• Striving for excellence

Duties And Responsibilities

The NPSA holder will be reporting directly to the Southeast Asia Lead at the Alliance. Given the global nature of the Alliance’s work, the NPSA holder is also expected to work closely and under the direction of the Deputy Managing Director and the Global Corporate Lead.

Under the supervision and direction of the Southeast Asia Lead, key responsibilities are as follows:

• Support the up-to-date analysis of digital payments ecosystem development in Southeast Asia and to facilitate in-country missions by non-resident Alliance team in Indonesia
• Support the Alliance’s advisory and advocacy initiatives at multilateral forums in Southeast Asia, including ASEAN under the Indonesian Chair in 2023
• Provide high quality coordination and implementation support for Alliance advisory and advocacy in Southeast Asia, with focus on Indonesia

Elaboration Of The Key Responsibilities Are As Follows

Under the supervision of the South-East Asia Lead, the Southeast Asia Senior Analyst will be responsible for ensuring technical support to the implementation, and coordination, of the overall strategy for the Better Than Cash Alliance in Southeast Asia, with a focus on Indonesia.

Support the Alliance’s advisory and advocacy initiatives at multilateral forums in Southeast Asia, including ASEAN under the Indonesian Chair in 2023

• Advocate within the Government of Indonesia to incorporate responsible digital payments priorities in other relevant working groups within ASEAN
• Support the definition and delivery of planned research outputs for the ASEAN Working Committee on Financial Inclusion (WC-FINC)by managing external research firm/ consultants
• Prepare background briefs or speaking points for the participation of Alliance management in related and relevant ASEAN meetings/side-events
• Work in close collaboration with the Fiscal Policy Office at the Ministry of Finance to (i) ensure initiative workplan is consistent with timelines and meetings of the WC-FINC in 2023 and (ii) support the incorporation of feedback from relevant agencies/ministries within the Indonesian Government
• Organize as needed, and attend internal meetings and consultations, brainstorming sessions and preparing briefing notes for intra and inter-agency follow-ups

Provide High Quality Implementation Support For Alliance Advisory And Advocacy In Southeast Asia, With Focus On Indonesia, Including But Not Limited To

• Provide general project management including:
• Working closely with the Asia Communications Specialist, support the organization and logistics of events and webinars and communications outreach related to Alliance advocacy and advisory in Indonesia
• Act as the key country focal point for the implementation of Alliance initiatives in Indonesia to advance the UN responsible principles for digital payments, Reaching financial equality and/or other topics requested by members including but not limited to:
• Support discussions with Governments and corporate members as well as the broader private sector and other development actors on priority digital payment use-cases currently identified as merchant, wages, agriculture value chains (cocoa, coffee) and tax as identifies in the Indonesia country strategy
• Monitor key indicators to feed into internal and donor reports.
• Identify follow-up and supplementary opportunities with Alliance members following initial research or advocacy outputs
• Periodical tracking/reporting of Alliance activities with members, to ensure documenting of information and on-time implementation of agreed workplans
• Support on procurement process for external consultants, including the drafting the scope of work, supporting the tasks relating to selection process
• Organize peer learning exchanges and facilitate bilateral meetings/discussions between Alliance members in Southeast Asia with other regions to increase digital payments capabilities and to share good practices from the region
• Draft concept notes, preparing presentations and related documents for Alliance internal approval processes.
• Manage ongoing initiatives including respective task creation and management on the Asana platform used by the Secretariat

Support the up-to-date analysis of digital payments ecosystem development in Southeast Asia and to facilitate in-country missions by non-resident Alliance team in Indonesia

• Mission support to the Alliance team in Indonesia including logistics where required and preparation of briefing notes for meetings
• Update the Southeast Asia Lead and the broader Alliance team on the latest developments and news on digital payments, digital financial services and financial inclusion in Indonesia through proactive sharing on emails or on social media and to conduct more in-depth research on selected topics as required
• Working closely with the Asia Communications Specialist to monitor and identify advocacy opportunities for the Alliance Secretariat and members for example conferences, multi-lateral meetings and other events, social media, press and news media

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
• 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
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Cross-Functional

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Technical Digital & Innovation

• Digital thought leadership: Ongoing research into emerging technologies and digital trends and the applications, risks, and opportunities associated with digital adoption, combined with the ability to communicate this synthesis with a broad audience

Technical External Relations & Advocacy (General)

• Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate

Technical 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

Technical 2030 Agenda

• Gender: Women's Economic Empowerment, including labour issues

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in in public /business administration, finance, economics, international affairs, development, political science, or other relevant fields is required

Experience

• Solid skills in policy analysis, market research and data analysis/management (spreadsheets, data visualization tools like Tableau, etc.) and ability to review data, identify and adjust discrepancies.
• Working knowledge of current developments in payment technologies, including innovative payment methods (e.g., digital government, mobile financial services, pre-paid/reloadable/other cards, etc.) and practical knowledge of digital payments and digital financial inclusion is essential.
• Minimum 5 years (with masters) of relevant professional experience, in digital payments, financial services, financial inclusion, economic development. Demonstrable experience in multilateral, government relations or inter-government processes in Indonesia and Minimum 5 years of experience conducting research or direct implementation of projects on digital payments as well as broader knowledge and public and private sector networks in digital financial services and financial inclusion, with a strong gender lens are required
• Demonstrates the ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi- ethnic environment.
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Experience in organizing of high-level meetings with networks to local partners in public relations and event management.
• Excellent presentation and representation skills in multicultural contexts
• Impeccable diplomatic skills, particularly in working with governments of emerging economies in the Asia Pacific.
• Social media management and experience with communications and design software e.g. CANVA, Mailchimp
• Previous experience in organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities.
• Demonstrates a high degree of initiative and independence in delivering required outputs within tight timeframes, exercising problem solving skills while at the same time demonstrating flexibility and the ability to get the job done effectively.
• Strong network within Indonesian Government and the Financial Services Supply-Side.
• Demonstrated excellent writing, editing and communications skills to an international standard including correspondence, reports, talking points and briefing material is essential.
• Relevant experience in Southeast Asia.
• Computer literacy, including familiarity with spread sheets and power point presentations essential
• Understanding of key issues and international good practice relating digital payments with a focus on inclusion and challenges in rural areas and underserved customer segments such as farmers, merchants and MSMEs.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia, both oral and written, is required.

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.