Global Policy Specialist (Open to all applicants)

Global Policy Specialist (Open to all applicants)

Overview
UNDP’s Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition seeks a Global Policy Specialist to shape and advance the organization’s engagement with the French G7 Presidency 2026, Italy, and the European Commission. The role requires a high‑level policy and partnership focus in climate, digital transformation, economic governance and gender equality, and it involves analysis, strategic planning, and knowledge management within the global UNDP policy network.

Responsibilities

• Lead UNDP Engagement with the French G7 Presidency (2026)
  Serve as focal point for UNDP’s strategic and operational engagement with the French G7 Presidency, ensuring alignment with France’s priorities and UNDP’s policy objectives. Build and maintain working relationships with key French institutions such as the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Finance, AFD, and other relevant partners. Coordinate contributions to the G7 development working group and other tracks led by France, providing substantive input on development finance, climate action, digital transformation, gender equality, governance and fragility. Provide timely briefings, analysis, and talking points to UNDP senior leadership for high‑level engagements with French G7 stakeholders.
• Strategic Policy Analysis and Advisory Support
  Conduct technical and political analysis of G7 and G20 policy discussions with focus on the French G7 Presidency agenda, assess relevance and implications for UNDP’s global and regional priorities. Map key thematic priorities of the French G7 agenda and align them with UNDP’s strengths such as climate resilience, SDG financing, digital infrastructure, and peacebuilding. Develop strategic policy papers, briefing notes, and talking points for UNDP positioning in the G7 context.
• Support Engagement with Italy and the European Commission
  Assist UNDP Rome Centre in maintaining strategic partnerships with the Italian government and development agencies. Support engagement with the European Commission and EU institutions, ensuring coherence between France’s G7 Presidency, EU development policies, and UNDP priorities. Identify entry points to leverage European financing, policy frameworks and multilateral partnerships for UNDP programmes.
• Institutional Coordination and Implementation
  Coordinate internal UNDP efforts across global policy centers, regional offices and thematic teams to ensure cohesive engagement with the French G7 Presidency and other G7/G20 platforms. Support implementation of G7/G20 initiatives where UNDP serves as partner or technical lead, ensuring alignment with the Strategic Plan and programmatic capabilities. Facilitate knowledge exchange across UNDP teams to strengthen readiness and responsiveness.
• Knowledge Management and Policy Monitoring
  Track and report on G7/G20 development commitments, especially those led or influenced by France, and assess relevance and integration into UNDP’s policy frameworks. Develop internal knowledge products such as policy trackers, engagement toolkits and reporting dashboards. Monitor global policy trends and shifts in development cooperation, producing scenario‑based analysis and foresight briefs.
• Stakeholder and Partnership Management
  Foster and manage partnerships with French‑based think tanks, academic institutions (e.g., Sciences Po, IFRI, IDDRI), civil society organisations and private sector actors. Engage key international partners in G7/G20 processes, including other UN agencies, multilateral development banks and donor governments. Support planning of joint events, roundtables and dialogues to enhance UNDP’s visibility and thought leadership.
• Perform additional duties within the functional profile deemed necessary for efficient office and organisational functioning.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Management, Human Development or related field, and minimum 5 years of relevant experience. Or bachelor’s degree plus 7 years of experience in high‑level policy advisory, development or project management roles.

Required Skills

• Experience in high‑level policy support and advisory roles within national, European and international institutions, focusing on political affairs, economic governance, trade, climate and digital transitions.
• Demonstrable leadership in strategic policy development and inter‑institutional negotiations in international contexts.
• Proven ability to engage with national governments, EU institutions, donors and private stakeholders; privileged access to strategic networks including the EU, French and Italian authorities.
• Experience in development cooperation and multilateral frameworks, especially Africa‑focused priorities.

Desired Additional Skills

• Prior involvement with development issues in Africa and the Middle East, cooperation with EU and national actors.
• Deep familiarity with Italian, French and European institutions at political and administrative levels.
• Experience coordinating design and implementation of policy tools, negotiation materials and high‑level reporting for EU and international decision makers.
• Experience in project management, policy support and policy development within G7/G20 multi‑lateral fora.
• Experience in supporting high‑level political and technical negotiations, including sensitive EU and international files.
• Track record of supporting high‑level technical negotiations.

Required Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English and French.

Equal Opportunity Statement

• UNDP is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. All qualified applicants—regardless of background—are encouraged to apply. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

Harassment and Abuse Policy

• UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination or abuse of authority. Selected candidates will undergo relevant checks and must adhere to these standards.

Selection Process

• UNDP may select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may consider shortlisted applicants for other similar positions at the same grade level.