Strategic Advisor: Office of the Resident Representative, Pretoria

United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development, working in over 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilient and sustainable societies. UNDP supports countries through policy advice, partnerships, innovation, and institutional strengthening to accelerateprogress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).In South Africa, UNDP supports national development priorities through programmes focused on

inclusive growth, democratic governance, climate resilience, and sustainable development financing . The Office of the Resident Representative plays a central role in shaping strategic direction, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring effective programme delivery across a dynamic and evolving development landscape.The

Strategic Advisor: Office of the Resident Representative

will be based in

Pretoria

and will serve as a high-level strategic advisor and execution partner to the Resident Representative (RR). This role goes beyond coordination to provide strategic judgement, organizational intelligence, analytical insight, and delivery oversight to support effective leadership and decision-making.Key Responsibilities

Strategic Advisory&Executive Support

Provide concise, recommendation-driven briefings and strategic advice to the Resident Representative. Assess strategic value and trade-offs of meetings, partnerships, and engagements. Support positioning on key programme, policy, and partnership priorities. Anticipate challenges and propose actionable solutions before issues evolve.Maintain strong understanding of programme pipelines, operational dynamics, and delivery bottlenecks. Engage directly with teams to identify risks, tensions, and opportunities. Analyze implementation challenges and recommend practical solutions to unblock progress. Information Curation&Decision Support

Filter and synthesize complex information from internal and external sources. Distinguish strategic priorities from operational noise and ensure focused decision-making. Provide the RR with clear, actionable insights rather than information overload. Execution Tracking&Performance Oversight

Track progress of strategic priorities and key decisions. Analyze delays, delivery risks, and implementation bottlenecks. Develop structured follow-up systems and provide regular updates on priority actions. External Engagement&Stakeholder Management

Prepare targeted briefing notes, speeches, correspondence, and strategic communications. Support high-level stakeholder engagement with government, partners, and donors. Manage sensitive engagements and communication with discretion and professionalism. Leverage AI-assisted and digital tools to strengthen decision-making and performance tracking.Develop dashboards, analytical summaries, and visual trackers for leadership oversight. Identify and apply innovative digital solutions relevant to development and organizational management. Profile Required

Experience

Minimum

7 years

relevant experience, including: Strategic advisory support to senior leadership International development, public policy, development finance, or governance contexts Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and organizational intelligence capabilities Excellent drafting and communication skills, including speeches, briefs, and strategic correspondenceExperience using digital tools, dashboards, AI tools, and data platforms Ability to work effectively in a high-level, multicultural, and fast-paced environment Education

Master’s degree in International Development, Economics, Public Policy, Finance, Communications, or related field. Candidates with strong relevant experience may also be considered. Benefits

UN Volunteers serve full-time in their professional expertise, supported by a benefits package, including a monthly living allowance to ensure a secure standard of living at their duty stations. These allowances are not intended as compensation, reward, or salary for the volunteer's service.

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