Welcome to UNDP An Induction Toolkit for New Hires

Office of Human Resources Bureau for Management Services WELCOME TO UNDP!

As a new member of UNDP, we know you are keen on making an impact that matters. This interactive induction toolkit is designed to provide you with a brief overview of UNDP, help familiarize you with our history and our work, link you to helpful knowledge and resources, as well as guide you through your first 30 days.

Happy learning and we look forward to our journey together! Table of Contents (click to jump to page)

1. Introduction to the 2. Introduction to the United Nations Development Programme 3. UNDP and the 4. UNDP in the United Nations Family 5. UNDP’s Workforce 6. Our Vision: 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals 7. UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 8. Realizing Our Strategic Plan 2018-2021 9. UNDP’s Administrator 10. UNDP’s Leadership 11. Our Values and Culture 12. Making UNDP a Great Place to Work 13. Guideline to Your First 30 Days Introduction to the United Nations

The United Nations is a unique international organization of 193 member states established in 1945. Its goals are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations amongst nations, promote social progress, protect human rights and create better living standards. Its member states are bound together by the principles of the UN Charter , an international treaty that spells out the rights and duties of member states.

Due to the powers vested in its Charter and its unique international character, the United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century such as: peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and more.

The UN also provides a forum for its members to express their views in the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and other bodies and committees. By enabling dialogue between its members and by hosting negotiations, the Organization has become a mechanism for governments to find areas of agreement and solve problems together.

The UN's Chief Administrative Officer is the Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres.

History | Member States |“We are not here to talk, we are here to make history”

1 Introduction to the United Nations Development Programme

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was born in 1966, when the Expanded Programme and the UN Special Fund were merged into one entity.

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP provides solutions to development challenges by developing national and local capacities that will help achieve human development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP’s work is concentrated on three main focus areas:

Democratic Climate and Sustainable Governance Disaster Development and Resilience Peacebuilding

In all activities, UNDP encourages the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

The annual Human Development Report, commissioned by UNDP, focuses the global debate on key development issues, providing new measurement tools, innovative analysis and often controversial policy proposals. The Global Report's analytical framework and inclusive approach are applied to regional, national and local Human Development Reports, also supported by UNDP.

2 3 UNDP in the United Nations Family

The UN Family

The UN system, also known unofficially as the "UN family," is made up of the UN itself and many affiliated programmes, funds, and specialized agencies all with their own membership, leadership, and budgets. While the programmes and funds are financed through voluntary contributions rather than assessed contributions, the Specialized Agencies are independent international organizations funded by both voluntary and assessed contributions.

Please click here for a list of Specialized Agencies in the UN System.

The United Nations Development Group:

UNDP is central to the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), a network that spans 165 countries and unites the 32 UN funds, programmes, specialized agencies and other bodies working to advance sustainable development. The UNDP Administrator serves as Chair, providing strategic leadership, vision and oversight and setting priorities for the UNDG and its various working mechanisms.

UNDP has a critical advisory role in driving the development agenda, based on Member States’ priorities and country context. UNDP participates in 66 “Delivering as One” initiatives, providing country-level support for implementation to reduce transaction costs and duplication of efforts while enhancing cost-effectiveness.

UNDP also reinforces joint action on development in such forums as the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations.

4 UNDP’s Workforce

UNDP works in some 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development outcomes.

Some of our expertise at a glance:

Click here for 2016 Annual Review of Hardship Duty Stations

5 Our Vision: 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015 the world witnessed something historic – the United Nations unanimously ratified a bold and comprehensive 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. This vision and plan for a better future comes not just from the negotiating chambers of the UN, but from a far-reaching conversation that included millions of people worldwide.

Now, as the world takes bold steps to achieve the Goals, UNDP stands ready to lead the way by connecting countries to the knowledge, experience, and resources they need to build a better future for themselves, their citizens, and the world.

For more details about SDGs, please click here.

6 UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021

The Strategic Plan 2018-2021 sets out the direction for UNDP. Under the leadership of our Administrator, Achim Steiner, we will support countries to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality, and achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Achieving the ambitious and complex 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires cross-cutting, integrated applications of expertise and investment, customized for each country and circumstance and driven by global best practices and international standards.

UNDP's Strategic Plan is deeply rooted in the analysis and understanding of the interconnections between different operational environments and development settings, which will enable UNDP to be flexible yet site-specific.

Building on our strengths and expertise, country relationships, and presence on the ground - in over 170 countries and territories - the Plan offers bold new innovative approaches and services to our partners, Member States and UN Agencies.

Strong, open partnerships and adding value to the work of the UN family are fundamental to UNDP's mission. The Plan commits us to work closer with partners, the UN system, and to provide support to the UN Development System to collectively deliver on the 2030 Agenda.

Partnerships are essential to expand our collective capacity and reach as well as to help countries access expertise and finance to achieve the 2030 Agenda. We will collaborate with international financial institutions, the private sector and non-profit organizations to build closer connections and deliver stronger results that improve people's lives.

“[…] delivering on the 2030 Agenda is at the core of what we do, and it will be foundational for our new Strategic Plan.”

- Achim Steiner UNDP Administrator

7 Realizing Our Strategic Plan 2018-2021

The Strategic Plan 2018-2021 includes improvements to UNDP's business model to make us more effective, transparent, accountable and better able to deliver—and to measure— stronger results for those we serve. UNDP will further evolve and adapt to become more innovative and efficient in order to remain a trusted development partner of choice and to respond effectively to new and emerging needs in an increasingly turbulent world.

In line with the Secretary General's reform agenda and the guidance of Member States, the Strategic Plan 2018-2021 sets out new ways of working to deliver on UNDP's vision: Helping countries to eradicate extreme poverty, supporting them to quickly modernize key sectors to work better for sustainable development and enabling them to prevent crisis and recover faster.

Our Six Signature Solutions offer integrated responses to complex development challenges:

Poverty Governance Resilience

Gender Environment Energy Equality

To accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, each Solution will include a mix of policy advice, technical assistance, finance and programmes tailored to country needs.

Two platforms will help deliver our work: a) Global Services Platform available for countries to access UNDP's policy, advisory, and operational expertise at all levels and b) Country Support Platforms to assist governments to design and implement integrated solutions and to provide a platform for the UN and other partners to operate.

Click here to read the Strategic Plan 2018-2021.

Click here to see UNDP’s Organizational Chart

8 UNDP’s Administrator

Achim Steiner became UNDP Administrator on 19 June 2017 and will serve for a term of four years. The United Nations General Assembly confirmed his nomination on 19 April 2017, following his nomination by Secretary-General António Guterres.

Mr. Steiner is also the Vice-Chair of the UN Development Group, which unites the 32 UN funds, programmes, specialized agencies and other bodies that work to support sustainable development.

Over nearly three decades, Achim Steiner has been a global leader on sustainable development, climate resilience and international cooperation. He has worked tirelessly to champion sustainability, economic growth and equality for the vulnerable, and has been a vocal advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Prior to joining UNDP, he was Director of the Oxford Martin School and Professorial Fellow of Balliol College, . Mr. Steiner has served across the United Nations system, looking at global challenges from both a humanitarian and a development perspective. He led the United Nations Environment Programme (2006-2016), helping governments invest in clean technologies and renewable energy. He was also Director- General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Mr. Steiner previously held other notable positions including Director General of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and Secretary General of the World Commission on Dams.

Achim Steiner has lived and worked in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the United States. He graduated in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (MA) from Worcester College, Oxford University and holds an MA from the /School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Please click here to view our Administrator’s speeches.

9 UNDP’s Leadership

The Executive Group (EG) is UNDP's highest internal governing body. Chaired by the Administrator, it is responsible for strategic leadership and management of the organization. It sets corporate priorities, provides strategic orientation and direction for the organization, advises the Administrator on strategic policy, programme and management issues and monitors corporate performance.

​The EG is supported by the Organizational Performance Group (OPG), chaired by the Associate Administrator. The OPG advises on key priorities for operational policy to support organizational performance, and takes on changes to operational policy and procedures where appropriate.​

The Executive Board provides inter-governmental support to and supervision of UNDP activities, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to the evolving needs of programme countries. The Board carries out this mandate by, among other things, monitoring the performance of UNDP; approving programmes, including country programmes, as appropriate; and deciding on administrative and financial plans and budgets.

The Board is made up of representatives from 36 countries around the world who serve on a rotating basis. Any member State that is not a member of the Executive Board may attend Board meetings and participate in its deliberations without the right to vote.

The Bureau of the Executive Board is comprised of one President and four Vice Presidents, elected from the members at the first regular session each year, taking into account the need for equitable geographical representation.

The Bureau is responsible for preparing and organizing Board meetings, facilitating transparent decision-making, and promoting dialogue in decision-making. The Bureau also agrees on the composition of the teams participating in Executive Board field visits.

The Executive Board holds one annual session and two regular sessions each year. These sessions are now on PaperSmart. Session documents will continue to be available for downloading electronically through the ‘Documents’ page, and will also be available on the PaperSmart portal.

Suggested reading: Our Leaders | Executive Board

10 Our Values and Culture

As a UNDP staff member, we should be aware of the normative standards that apply to International Civil Servants within the UN and must adhere to the ethical obligations inherent in representing the United Nations.

UNDP is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards which must guide all of our actions and decisions. The corporate values of Integrity, Transparency, Accountability, Mutual Respect and Professionalism are all founded in ethics, which necessarily includes ethical business decision-making and ethical behavior in the workplace, the field and in our personal life. As a new hire to UNDP, it is critical to embrace the culture of ethics that permeates our organization and underpins all that we do. As a humanitarian organization, we take pride in the work we do and the results we accomplish, but it is crucial that all of this work is performed and all of these results are achieved with the highest degree of principled behavior and actions. Unethical behavior is unacceptable in any situation.

UNDP is operating with a set of three values that defines the overall standards for organizational behavior:

UNDP’s diverse workforce delivers effectively by tapping into different perspectives, experiences, knowledge and approaches, leveraging our workforce’s potential, and achieving a greater organizational excellence.

UNDP’s Strategy for Gender Parity includes taking measures to address challenges to achieving an equal balance of men and women at each level of post.

UNDP’s Strategy for Advancing Diversity and Inclusiveness is to create a work environment welcoming to all, where everyone feels valued and can perform at their best regardless of age, gender, gender identity, disability, race, caste, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or any other status.

11 Making UNDP a Great Place to Work

Below are some of the stories shared by our Country Offices on making UNDP a great place to work

Meet UNDP Meet UNDP Meet UNDP Eritrea Venezuela Samoa

Meet UNDP Meet UNDP Meet UNDP Cambodia Maldives Zimbabwe

Lastly, the challenges that confront us in the 21st Century will not be met by mere deference to power, reliance on a shaky status quo, or operation in old silos. Rather, they demand a model of leadership that is norm-based, principled, accountable, multi-dimensional, transformational, collaborative, and self-applied. A commitment to continuous learning and professional/leadership development is therefore a key attribute to all of UNDP staff members. We ask that you read the UN Leadership Model, endorsed by UNDG in 2016, and encourage you to apply those principles on a daily basis. Please click here to read the UN Leadership Model.

Building on the UN Leadership Model, UNDP’s leadership philosophy is made actionable with our new UNDP Leadership Framework:

12 Guideline to Your First 30 Days

*New hires must be able to access the intranet in order to view the resources on this page

SEEK INFORMATION

 Meet with your Supervisor to: ✓ understand his/her leadership vision ✓ share your aspirations and vision for your work ✓ begin to establish your workplan ✓ get clear on how your performance will be measured  Schedule a meeting with each of your direct colleagues. Ask them to spend between 30- 60 minutes with you so that you can understand the work they do, how they perceive the way forward for your office and the organization as a whole, and how you can collaborate with them.  Spend time on the UNDP Intranet get familiar with the full scope of information there (on central bureaus, regional bureaus, practice areas, etc.).  Review the UNDP Strategic Plan 2018 - 21 to glean UNDP’s “big picture” and understand how our products and services are delivered in the field.  Explore the Orientation page for an online introduction to UNDP and the UNDP Talent Hub to familiarize yourself with the resources UNDP’s Talent Development Unit may have to offer you.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

 Invite your colleagues to have lunch.  Invite your supervisor to have lunch at the week's end and ask any questions you might have on what you've seen, heard, or read so far.  Prepare an email message to introduce yourself and add some personal components. Ask your supervisor to send it.

LEARN AND SHARE KNOWLEDGE

 Get familiar with UNDP Talent Development Centre (TDC)and complete corporate mandatory courses.  Identify the Talent Development Manager in your office and ask this colleague to spend 1 hour with you to provide you with an overview of the TDC, what it can offer, why continuous learning is important and your office's Whole Office Learning Plan.  Set up your profile on UNDP’s professional networking platform, Yammer and join YouUNDP Yammer group. Introduce yourself and share information about your work to the fellow UNDP colleagues around the world.

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