Social Systems Lead, LICA-10, Jakarta, Indonesia At UNOPS

Background Information – UNOPS

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Background Information – Job-specific

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) was established in January 2023 through the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office and it currently oversees UNOPS projects in 24 countries across the region, with its headquarters in Bangkok and nine business units spanning various locations.

In 2022, UNOPS EAPMCO successfully implemented projects exceeding USD 95.7 million, addressing diverse areas such as Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, and more. The Multi Country Office in Bangkok plays a central role, providing strategic direction, operational support, and assurance of excellence in business processes and quality standards across all locations, while also managing and delivering engagements within the countries of its presence.

Background Information – Project

UN Global Pulse is the UN Secretary-General’s innovation lab. Originally established in 2009 to harness the power of big data and artificial intelligence (AI), UN Global Pulse operates today as a global network advancing innovation within the UN’s work. We work at the intersection of innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the UN family and those it serves to anticipate, respond, and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Serving the wider Asia Pacific region, the hub is a frontrunner in practicing and advocating for inclusive innovation. Drawing on a decade of successes harnessing system design, as well as big data and artificial intelligence for platform development and data analytics, Global Pulse Asia Pacific facilitates co-creation of forward-thinking solutions that inform policy and decision-making.

From enhancing humanitarian crisis response, strengthening climate resilience, and improving the decision-making process in digital transformation, the hub will continue to apply innovation to accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development agenda for a better future.

To manage and conduct analysis of related and impacted social systems, UN Global Pulse Asia Pacific (UNGP-AP) is looking for an experienced Social Systems Lead who, under the guidance of Head of UNGP-AP, will supervise and develop the social systems team and its outputs. The Social Systems Lead as part of the senior management team, also contributes to strategic planning and in identifying new program areas and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities. S/he ensures a consistent approach with the operations and finance teams and supports effective communication of the UNGP-AP portfolio with Government officials, UN agencies and donors. The Social Systems Lead will work closely with a wide variety of stakeholders such as UN Agencies and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society with a specific focus on social systems impacted by or utilizing new and conventional digital data sources for development and humanitarian action in the Asia Pacific Region. S/he must be a detailed oriented person, focused on the needs and goals of UNGP-AP key partners, have strong communication skills and is a team player

Functional Responsibilities

The Social Systems Lead will be directly supervised by the Head of UNGP-AP to undertake the following tasks:

1. Provide high-quality policy relevant research to the partners.
2. Identify and support the delivery of strategic coordination for research partnerships and collaboration advice for UNGP-AP, with the social systems unit leading the technical work.
3. Coordinate activities of involving a team of design researchers, strategic foresight, and behavioral sciences technical experts to conduct relevant research and capability development and project implementation work.
4. Support Business Development and outreach portfolio development, providing advice on strategy and supporting the management team to enhance UNGP-AP’s outreach activities.
5. Manage The Social System team to ensure effective support and engagement of team members

1. Provide high-quality policy-relevant research to partners. focusing on the achievement of the following results

• Provide technical oversight and serve as a lead technical resource for the provision of technical assistance and capacity building initiatives implemented by the social systems team.
• Identify and coordinate the implementation of qualitative research activities to partners.
• Ensure the introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, targets, and milestones to activities under management.
• Ensure that collaborative research projects are implemented in accordance with the gender equality accountability framework and Gender equality Results Based management.
• Lead team members to develop knowledge products and communication assets for appropriate usage.

2. Identify and support the delivery of strategic coordination for research partnerships and collaboration advice for UNGP-AP, with the social systems unit leading the technical work, focusing on the following key results

• Scoping and costing activities to be conducted with the aim of obtaining cost recovery for delivery of the activities as agreed to with potential partners. These activities range from research, co-design workshops, to training both in Indonesia and across the region.
• Support identification of both public and private sector partnerships to enhance impact and influence for UNGP-AP’s strategic priorities.
• Support effective relationships with key counterparts in UN agencies, Donor agencies and other development programmes to promote and strengthen coordinated support for UNGP-AP.
• Lead social systems’ team activities to meet delivery of UN Global Pulse Asia Pacific Work Plan and strategic direction.
• Keep management abreast of new developments and trends in human-based design, user research and other relevant qualitative research methodologies.
• Supports identification of new opportunities to expand UNGP-AP’s portfolio across the region

3. Coordinate activities involving a team of design researchers, strategic foresight and behavioral sciences technical experts to conduct relevant research and capability development and project implementation work.

• In depth exploration of social systems through the application of qualitative research methodologies on social issues and provide recommendations linked with possible data innovation solutions
• Introduction and application of new and relevant methodologies such as Strategic Foresight, human centered design, systems thinking, or behavioral insights.
• Synthesize and present research results to relevant partners and users
• Identify, scope, manage, and implement strategic partnerships in which social systems lead the technical work, ranging from research, co-design workshops, to trainings
• Effective contribution to the regional and global network for gender mainstreaming learning and knowledge sharing

4. Support business development and outreach portfolio development, providing advice on strategy and supporting the management team to enhance UNGP-AP’s outreach activities.

• Support UNGP AP in the implementation of the Hub’s business development strategy with a focus on Indonesia, and the Pacific, building on current ongoing activities and programmes, including providing technical support to multi-stakeholder mechanisms, especially in regard to the Lab’s government/civil society partnership-building activities.
• Provide input in the development of practical policies and action recommendations for UNGP-AP’s development.
• Contribute to decision making and prioritization of activities and engagement areas for the hub.
• Support Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning efforts on all engagements through ensuring appropriate reporting and documentation.

5. Manage the Social System team to ensure effective support and engagement of team members

• Provide day to day management support to members of the social system team
• Identify and effectively explore opportunities for strengthening team members’ capacities either through adding members to the team or giving learning opportunities for existing team members.
• Contribute to creating a continued learning and development environment for the hub’s staff through knowledge and expertise sharing and engagements.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• An advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or other relevant fields of study relevant to the position.
• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the above-mentioned fields with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of professional relevant experience with a Master’s degree or seven (7) years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree at the national or international level, preferably in research relating to digital innovations, behavioral sciences, or related fields, is required,
• Experience working on innovation projects in the development or humanitarian sectors is required.
• Experience in managing technical teams towards achieving common objectives and providing leadership and decision making support is required.
• Exposure to ASEAN and/or Pacific regional development issues through engaging in projects or programmes is desirable.
• Solid understanding of how innovation methods such as behavioral science, Strategic foresight and data innovation is desirable.
• A creative thinker, with hands-on experience in capacity building with local government counterparts is desirable.
• Prior experience in managing partnerships and relationships with government, UN and development partners is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia is desirable

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Award
• Contract level: LICA10
• Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Open only to Indonesia nationals or with valid residence.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.