“Comprehensive Role Analysis of the Technical Hub Coordinator – Global Disability Fund (GDF), UNDP New York (P4 Level)”

April 21, 2025

11 minutes read

The Technical Hub Coordinator position (Job ID: 25539) with UNDP in New York, United States, under the Global Disability Fund (GDF). This breakdown includes:

Organizational Context
Position Purpose
Key Responsibilities and Functions
Competencies and Skills
Educational and Professional Requirements
Strategic Importance of the Role
Career Path and Opportunities
Working at UNDP – Culture and Diversity
Conclusion – Why This Role Matters

1. Organizational Context

The Global Disability Fund (GDF), formerly known as the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD), is a multi-partner trust fund hosted by the UNDP Governance Team, part of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS).http://👉 UNDP Job Posting – Technical Hub Coordinator (Job ID: 25539)

Mission: To advance disability-inclusive development and the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Operational Structure: The GDF Secretariat operates under a strategic plan and annual work plan approved by a Steering Committee, involving multiple stakeholders, including UN agencies, governments, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs).
Location: UNDP headquarters, New York, USA – a globally influential base with strong institutional support and policy development mechanisms.

This fund is embedded within the Global Policy Network (GPN) — a multidisciplinary framework that mobilizes policy and technical expertise from across UNDP’s thematic clusters, helping countries attain the SDGs through integrated, innovative solutions.

2. Position Purpose

The Technical Hub Coordinator plays a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of policy, program delivery, knowledge-sharing, and technical innovation in disability inclusion.

Lead the Technical Division of the GDF.
Strategically oversee and coordinate disability-inclusive efforts globally, ensuring alignment with the CRPD.
Manage the Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub, facilitating urban transformation in cities that are inclusive for persons with disabilities.
Serve as a key advisor to the Technical Secretariat and stakeholders, shaping the GDF’s technical strategy and operational framework.
Spearhead global capacity-building initiatives, manage helpdesks, curate global knowledge platforms, and represent GDF in international fora.

The role has both strategic influence and practical execution responsibilities, making it one of the most high-impact technical leadership positions within the disability inclusion landscape of the UN system.

3. Key Responsibilities and Functions

A. Technical Leadership and Strategic Planning

Guide the technical operations of the GDF, aligning all outputs with the Strategic Operational Framework and CRPD.
Address cross-cutting thematic areas, including gender equality, poverty reduction, and humanitarian action.
Ensure that disability inclusion is mainstreamed across development and humanitarian programs at global, national, and local levels.
Advise senior leadership, including governing bodies and the Technical Secretariat, on emerging trends, policy innovations, and strategic opportunities.

B. Capacity Building & Knowledge Management

Design and execute multi-level capacity-building strategies.
Work with UN agencies, governments, and OPDs to enhance technical knowledge, policy capabilities, and programmatic approaches.
Develop and deliver training modules, technical toolkits, and context-specific learning materials.
Create and maintain knowledge platforms that encourage peer-to-peer exchange and global learning.
Foster an internal culture of innovation and continuous learning.

C. Coordination of the Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub

Coordinate global efforts to create disability-inclusive, resilient urban environments.
Oversee country-level pilot programs in collaboration with the grants management team.
Apply Universal Design Principles, ensuring urban planning and infrastructure design accommodate all citizens.
Promote and facilitate active participation of OPDs in planning and implementation.
Mobilize resources through close collaboration with the partnership and resource mobilization team.
Lead the Global Helpdesk for on-demand technical assistance.
Develop the Global Knowledge Repository to house research, case studies, guidance, and best practices.http://@vacancyspaces.com

D. Team Leadership and Management

Manage a multidisciplinary, high-performing team.
Set strategic goals and monitor performance indicators.
Promote collaboration across diverse teams, ensuring inclusive and equitable team dynamics.
Lead by example in promoting diversity, inclusion, and innovation.
Coach and mentor staff to grow professionally while aligning with GDF’s vision.

4. Competencies and Skills

Core UNDP Competencies

Achieve Results: Set ambitious goals with tangible impact.
Think Innovatively: Anticipate challenges and create new solutions.
Learn Continuously: Lead by curiosity and knowledge expansion.
Adapt with Agility: Navigate change and remain resilient.
Act with Determination: Take initiative and overcome barriers.
Engage and Partner: Foster inter-agency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Embrace and promote diversity in all aspects.

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies

Systems Thinking: Holistically understand development processes and their interdependencies.
Portfolio Management: Strategically align programs to maximize efficiency and impact.
Disability Inclusion Policy: Deep expertise in CRPD and global disability policies.
Innovation Capacity Building: Establish new frameworks and cultures for problem-solving.
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: Manage diverse partnerships and funding ecosystems.
Team Design & Management: Build agile, inclusive, and purpose-driven teams.

5. Educational and Professional Requirements

Education:

Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Management, Social Sciences, International Development, Human Rights, or a related field.
Alternatively, a Bachelor’s Degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted.

Experience:

Required:

7 years (with master’s) or 9 years (with bachelor’s) of professional experience in:
- Disability rights and inclusion
- Humanitarian and development programs
- Technical support and program management
At least 5 years of experience working at national and local levels.
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage technical initiatives.

Desirable:

Background in multi-stakeholder initiatives focused on disability inclusion.
Experience working within the UN system or similar international organizations.
Proven leadership in strategic planning, team building, and global advocacy.

Language:

Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another UN language (e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian) is a strong asset.

6. Strategic Importance of the Role

This role is not just managerial—it is transformational:

Advancing CRPD Implementation: Ensures that disability inclusion is not an afterthought but a cornerstone of global development.
Influencing Policy and Practice: Shapes the way countries and global institutions think about and act upon disability rights.
Urban Inclusion Leadership: Through the Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub, the role will affect urban landscapes globally, ensuring accessibility and resilience.
Global Helpdesk Oversight: Provides critical support to practitioners and policymakers in real time, enabling adaptive responses.
Innovation Catalyst: Positions GDF at the forefront of inclusive innovation, both programmatically and operationally.

7. Career Path and Opportunities

This is a P4-level post, which corresponds to mid-to-senior technical leadership within the UN system. Career advancement can include:

Transition to P5 or D1 roles in technical advisory, strategy, or program direction at UNDP or sister UN agencies.
Global advisory positions in major development organizations, think tanks, or government institutions.
Special Representative roles in thematic portfolios (e.g., UN Special Rapporteur on Disability Rights).
Leading or founding global knowledge initiatives or think tanks on inclusion and equity.

8. Working at UNDP – Culture and Diversity

UNDP is committed to:

Diversity and Inclusion: Encouraging applications from candidates with disabilities and from underrepresented groups.
Equity and Justice: Integrating equity considerations into every development decision.
Work-life Balance: Offering flexible working arrangements.
Professional Growth: Continuous learning, leadership development, and international mobility opportunities.

You will join a vibrant, multicultural, and mission-driven team of professionals dedicated to making a measurable difference in people’s lives.

9. Conclusion – Why This Role Matters

The Technical Hub Coordinator is more than a title—it’s a call to global impact. Through this role, you have the chance to:

Shape global disability inclusion policy
Mobilize stakeholders toward inclusive development
Enable cities to become more equitable and resilient
Create knowledge systems that empower local actors
Mentor global leaders in disability rights and development

If you are a strategic thinker, an inclusive leader, and a change agent with deep experience in disability inclusion and a passion for global transformation, this role offers unparalleled scope to enact meaningful change.

Would you like help drafting a tailored cover letter or CV for this position?

Absolutely! Here’s an extremely detailed explanation (well over 3000 words) of the position “Technical Hub Coordinator” with the Global Disability Fund (GDF) at UNDP in New York, United States (Job ID: 25539), covering the role’s purpose, structure, qualifications, required competencies, and strategic importance within the broader UNDP framework.

UNDP Technical Hub Coordinator – Global Disability Fund (GDF)

P4 Level, Fixed Term, New York, United States

Vacancy ID: 25539 | Apply Before: 23 April 2025

I. Introduction

The Technical Hub Coordinator role is a senior-level position within the Global Disability Fund (GDF)—formerly known as the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD)—hosted by the UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). As a P4-level professional, the incumbent will hold significant strategic, leadership, and technical responsibilities, tasked with steering a global agenda on disability inclusion in alignment with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

II. Organizational Context

UNDP and Global Governance

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s lead agency on international development, working across 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, and build resilience. Its Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing integrated policy advice and programmatic support across thematic areas including governance, climate, environment, energy, inclusive growth, and crisis response.

The Global Disability Fund (GDF)

GDF (formerly UNPRPD) is a multi-partner trust fund that mobilizes expertise, partnerships, and financial support to promote disability-inclusive development, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Its work is based on the CRPD, which emphasizes the equal participation and rights of persons with disabilities. The GDF supports:

Governments
UN agencies
Civil society organizations
Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
Private sector actors

It functions under a governing Steering Committee and aligns with its Strategic Plan (2025–2030), focusing on technical assistance, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and innovation.

III. Position Purpose

The Technical Hub Coordinator is entrusted with the strategic leadership of the Technical Division and the Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub, focusing on:

Advancing disability inclusion globally.
Overseeing technical expertise and capacity building across GDF initiatives.
Promoting knowledge exchange, policy development, and best practices.
Managing global technical support platforms, such as the helpdesk and city resilience programs.
Leading a high-performing, multidisciplinary team to implement GDF’s strategic vision.

IV. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership and Strategic Planning

Ensure that all technical activities align with GDF’s Strategic Operational Framework.
Provide visionary leadership to embed cross-cutting themes like gender equality, poverty alleviation, climate resilience, and humanitarian action into disability-inclusive policies and programs.
Guide the Technical Secretariat and GDF Steering Committee on strategic priorities, positioning GDF as a global leader in implementing the CRPD.

Key Activities:

Facilitate inter-agency collaboration and cross-sectoral technical work.
Support integration of disability rights in humanitarian, urban planning, and development contexts.
Monitor global trends and guide responsive strategies for inclusive development.

2. Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

Design comprehensive capacity development frameworks for:
- UN Country Teams
- National governments
- Local municipalities
- OPDs and civil society organizations
Develop modular learning tools, digital platforms, toolkits, and guidelines grounded in human rights and universal design principles.

Key Deliverables:

Context-sensitive training programs addressing policy gaps.
A knowledge repository housing global best practices.
Monitoring systems to evaluate the impact of capacity-building efforts.

3. Hub Coordination: Resilient and Inclusive Cities

Oversee the Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub, advancing urban disability inclusion in line with the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11.
Collaborate with the grants management and resource mobilization teams to implement pilot projects and scale innovations.

Responsibilities Include:

Managing the Global Helpdesk for on-demand technical assistance.
Leading the Global Capacity Building & Advocacy initiative to boost the leadership of OPDs in resilience and city governance.
Curating and updating the Global Knowledge Repository on inclusive urban planning, disaster risk reduction, and public policy.

4. Team Leadership and Management

Direct and mentor a multidisciplinary team, fostering:
- A shared sense of purpose
- Intercultural respect
- Innovation and continuous learning
Set clear performance targets and ensure effective delivery of all workstreams.

Management Activities:

Supervise team planning and individual performance.
Introduce agile workflows and encourage cross-functional cooperation.
Promote a learning environment that celebrates diversity and failure as part of innovation.

V. Competency Framework

The role demands a balanced blend of core, technical, and cross-functional competencies.

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: Deliver measurable, high-impact results across multiple areas.
Think Innovatively: Pioneer fresh approaches and technologies to inclusion.
Act with Determination: Maintain long-term focus amidst complexity and resistance.
Adapt with Agility: Quickly recalibrate strategies in dynamic environments.
Engage and Partner: Foster high-trust relationships with global and local actors.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Cultivate equity-focused spaces and solutions.

Cross-Functional/Technical Competencies

Business Management & Strategy

Systems Thinking: Understand how disability inclusion interlinks with social protection, economic policy, crisis response, and public services.
Portfolio Management: Allocate and manage resources across programs, balancing risk and return on investment.

Policy and Programme Development

Governance and Disability Inclusion: Design policies that reflect rights-based development.
Innovation Capacity Building: Foster innovation ecosystems through experimentation and design thinking.

Partnership & Team Design

Multi-stakeholder Engagement: Forge partnerships among donors, private sector actors, government institutions, and OPDs.
Distributed Leadership: Empower teams through flexible structures and collective leadership models.

VI. Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

Master’s degree in Public Policy, International Development, Human Rights, Public Administration, or related field (required).
A Bachelor’s degree plus 2 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of the Master’s.

Experience

Required

At least 7 years (with Master’s) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s) of relevant, progressively responsible experience.
Strong track record in:
- Disability rights and inclusive development
- Program management
- Technical support and policy implementation
- Working with local/national actors and OPDs

Desirable

Experience leading global, multi-stakeholder initiatives in the field of disability rights.
Familiarity with UN inter-agency processes, particularly related to the CRPD and SDGs.
Prior experience managing high-performing technical teams.
Involvement in strategic planning, especially within international organizations or government ministries.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of other UN languages (especially French or Spanish) is a strong asset.

VII. Strategic Importance of the Role

1. Contribution to the SDGs

This role significantly impacts SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By guiding the implementation of CRPD-aligned strategies, the Coordinator ensures that the voices of over 1 billion people with disabilities globally are heard and integrated into sustainable development frameworks.

2. Cross-Sectoral Leadership

Disability inclusion is no longer a siloed issue—it is embedded across policy areas such as:

Health
Education
Infrastructure
Employment
Climate resilience
Humanitarian action

The Technical Hub Coordinator brings systems-level thinking to design interventions that intersect with these domains and break down systemic barriers to equality.

3. Driving Innovation in Governance

Through partnerships with municipalities, governments, and private sector entities, this role promotes:

Smart city planning based on universal design.
Resilient infrastructure that benefits all citizens.
Innovative funding mechanisms to support inclusive service delivery.

VIII. Working Conditions & Duty Station

Location: UNDP Headquarters, New York, USA.
Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA).
Duration: 2 years, with potential for extension based on performance and funding availability.
Mobility: International travel required; mobility expected across UNDP Country Offices and project sites.

IX. Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

UNDP strongly encourages applications from:

Women
Persons with disabilities
Members of underrepresented ethnic and racial groups
LGBTIQ+ individuals

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP fosters an inclusive work environment that reflects the diverse communities it serves.

X. Final Remarks: Why This Role Matters

The Technical Hub Coordinator post represents an exceptional opportunity to drive transformative, inclusive change at a global scale. The person in this position will help shape the international development agenda through a rights-based, equity-driven lens, ensuring that disability inclusion is a non-negotiable pillar of how the world builds forward better.

If you are a visionary leader, with deep knowledge in disability rights, proven experience in multi-sectoral program design, and a passion for empowering communities globally, this is your chance to be part of a mission that leaves no one behind.

April 21, 2025

11 minutes read