Effective Governance Specialist [Open to internal and external applicants]

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 operates as the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development within the UN development system, helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through evidence-based policy advice and integrated development solutions. Through the Global Policy Network (GPN), UNDP connects global expertise with local priorities to strengthen institutional capabilities and deliver impactful development results.

Under its Strategic Plan (2026–2029), UNDP commits to supporting effective governance by leveraging systems thinking, innovation, and strategic foresight to help countries build more anticipatory, agile, and responsive institutions.

The Governance team at the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub supports governments and UNDP country offices in the Asia-Pacific region in strengthening governance systems while promoting the rule of law, human rights, transparency, and accountability. It focuses on developing frameworks that support public integrity, innovation, political inclusion, and transparency in governmental processes and institutions, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 16.

The team is closely engaged in the regional advisory initiative ‘Building Opportunities for Leadership in Development (BOLD) that supports governments to translate evidence, diagnostics, and foresight into strategically prioritized, forward-leaning reform pathways.

The Effective Governance Specialist directly supports the implementation of BOLD in the region. S/he leads on governance analytics and diagnostics, provides strategic policy recommendations, and collaborates with other UNDP policies and programme teams to strengthen national development strategy and delivery capabilities. As part of the regional BOLD initiative, the Effective Governance Specialist focuses on enhanced implementation and delivery capacity and capabilities of public institutions as well as on integrity and innovation in public governance, and on expanding collaborative partnerships for effective governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Effective Governance Specialist will report to the Governance Team Leader within the Regional Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding (GRP) team. S/he will work in collaboration with:

• Regional Chief Economist and the Inclusive Growth team
• Regional Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding team.
• Country Office governance focal points, economists and programme teams
• The BOLD Project Manager
• Government counterparts and external partners

Regular engagement with the Global Policy Network (GPN) and other Regional Hubs may be required.

Duties and Responsibilities includes:

A. Ensure Technical Analysis and Research (BOLD)

• Conduct political economy analysis, underpinning national development strategy and implementation capacities.
• Conduct governance diagnostics and assessments that inform government strategy processes.
• Prepare technical papers, data-driven policy briefs, and background notes to inform policy recommendations at the country level.
• Contribute to regional knowledge products on human development, future-ready governance and socio-economic transformation pathways.

B. Actively provide support to Government Advisory and Country Engagement

• Provide technical inputs to high-level policy dialogues led by the BOLD team.
• Support Country Offices in delivering BOLD analytical work, including country capability assessments and governance diagnostics.
• Assist in preparing presentations, data visualizations, and evidence packs for government engagements.
• Participate in technical missions, consultations, and workshops as required.

C. Advise and support Programme Implementation and Coordination

• Advise and support planning, monitoring, and delivery of BOLD activities at regional and country levels.
• Provide analytical and reporting inputs to donor updates, internal quality assurance, and project documentation.
• Coordinate with Country Offices, external research partners, and internal teams to ensure analytic consistency and quality.
• Support knowledge codification and documentation of methodologies, tools, and country experiences.

D. Advise on Knowledge Management and Learning

• Develop, maintain and update governance-related datasets, analytical tools, and templates used across the BOLD programme.
• Synthesize lessons learned from country implementation to inform regional guidance.
• Prepare technical guidance notes and policy briefs on governance analysis and diagnostics, and related topics.

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

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

• 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.
• Strategic thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business management

• 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.

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Public Administration reform

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Digitalization of Governance

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Governance, Public Administration, Law, or a related 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 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in applied Governance policy reforms, political economy analysis, or development policy.

Required skills:

• Minimum 2 years of experience conducting or supporting Governance diagnostics, public sector assessments, and capability effectiveness.
• Demonstrable experience applying quantitative analysis, foresight, scenario methods, system thinking, and digital tools.
• Experience working with governments, international organizations, research institutes, or development partners.

Desired Skills:

• Previous UNDP or UN system experience is an asset.
• Previous experience implementing leading public sector reforms is an asset
• Experience in leading research and analytical work on economic governance.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English is required.

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.

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.

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.