Nexus Academy Manager (Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants only).

UNDP•New York, NY

About The Position

The Nexus Academy Manager will manage the Nexus Academy project and work under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, Policy Research and Learning, RALI team. S/he will collaborate with other colleagues across Crisis Bureau, including the Crisis Academy, and the Strategic Partnerships and Communications (SPC) team. S/he will also collaborate and coordinate closely with different substantive teams within the Crisis Bureau and the wider GPN, as relevant. The Nexus Academy is a global learning platform, initiated in 2021 by the DAC-UN Dialogue and powered by the UNDP Crisis Academy. It seeks to build consensus and promote a shared understanding of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus. Its delivery approach is centered around three pillars: learning, community, and action. Operating at the intersection of humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding, the Nexus Academy emphasizes integrated approaches to complex crises. It equips professionals to address challenges in fragile settings, fostering coordination, collaboration, and coherence across sectors. Multi-stakeholder training cohorts are the flagship activity of the Nexus Academy. These cohorts bring together representatives from UN organisations, member states, and experts and provide them with the skills, tools and capacities to accelerate nexus approaches in their regular work and when deployed, linking headquarters to programme staff to ensure joined-up nexus approaches. Graduates of the Academy automatically become part of the Nexus Academy Alumni Network — a growing global community of over 1,300 practitioners advancing integrated HDP approaches across institutions and regions. The Network sustains collaboration beyond the classroom through peer exchange and thematic dialogues such as our ‘Open House’ sessions. The Nexus Knowledge Hub is a curated global repository of practical resources supporting operationalisation of the HDP Nexus. Featuring academic reports, case studies, institutional frameworks, and operational guidance, the Nexus Knowledge Hub (currently in Beta version) strengthens evidence-based learning and provides the Nexus Academy course participants with a one-stop-shop of actionable knowledge and tools.

Requirements

Master’s degree or equivalent in development studies, social sciences, public policy, public administration, process engineering, organisational development, knowledge management, systems thinking or other relevant fields 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.
A minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of experience in multi-stakeholder coordination, analysis, planning and programming and positions of increasing responsibility in developing recovery and peacebuilding plans or strategies, coordination with humanitarian and/or peace actors in fragile and crisis contexts.
Proven track-record of design and facilitation of training and other learning events is required.
Strong knowledge of the UN’s institutional architecture, policies and operations related to humanitarian, peace and development (HDP) settings is required.
Experience in program and project design, execution, financing and resource mobilization is required.
Strong communication skills (written and spoken) essential.
Fluency in English and French with excellent written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated track-record of excellence in UN/inter-agency coordination and managing partnerships is an advantage.
Proven experience working in different geographical areas, and development settings, including crisis/fragile contexts would be advantage.
Experience in implementing the HDP Nexus at field level is an advantage.
Working knowledge of other UN language is an asset.

Responsibilities

Manage the Nexus Academy project.
Prepare the Nexus Academy Annual Workplans budgets, and proposals in line with the UNDP Programs and Operations Policies and Procedures in coordination with all relevant stakeholders.
Provide strategic advice and technical oversight for the Nexus Academy to ensure that all outputs are high quality and consistent with the effective delivery of results according to the Project Document.
Ensure strategic planning, set priorities and sequence activities for the project.
Manage the team to ensure coordinated implementation of activities and workplans.
Organize the Steering Committee and lead the Technical Advisory Group meetings and ensure follow-up and communication of the decisions to partners.
Efficiently manage all financial, material and human resource assets of the project and report regularly on project results and outcomes.
Ensure compliance of project operations with UNDP rules and regulations, establishment of targets and monitoring of achievement of results, including Enterprise Resource Management (ERP).
Keep the Nexus Academy curriculum up to date and support UNDP’s thought leadership in the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus.
Ensure the strategic direction of the Nexus Academy, and the delivery of high-quality trainings and other learning services.
Work closely with the SPC team for tailored engagements in field locations.
Manage the overall outreach and impact measurement of the Nexus Academy.
Provide quality assurance to the work of the Nexus Knowledge Hub.
Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learnt generated by the project through research, surveys to produce knowledge-based products.
Establish and maintain sound partnerships with the INCAF Secretariat, DAC UN Dialogue, partner agencies, donors and other strategic partners.
Lead the Nexus Academy networking with the aim to enhance coordination and cooperation among key parties concerned and advance HDP approaches at global level.
Partnering with practitioners and members of UNDP regional and global networks.
Proactively identify potential sources of funding and assist in resource mobilization for the project expansion/scaling up through development of concept notes and funding proposals to the potential donors and promoting project deliverables at the relevant development platforms.
Manage the engagement and reporting with donors.
Ensure visibility of the Nexus Academy, including adherence to visibility standards and templates.