Job Description

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories across the world, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build the resilience of people and the planet so that countries can progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s global policy network and communities of practice bring a wealth of development policy insights to each country where we serve, while helping to share those countries’ experiences with the world. 

In Thailand, UNDP partners with national and local institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector to advance the SDGs combining local, regional, and global solutions and expertise to help Thailand respond to complex challenges in an agile and inclusive way. Among them are strengthening institutions, promoting inclusive and sustainable development, taking climate action, and conserving biodiversity

A flagship initiative under this vision is the Thailand Policy Lab (TPLab)—a joint effort of UNDP and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). Funded by the Royal Thai Government, TPLab is Thailand’s first national policy innovation unit, dedicated to transforming the way policies are designed and implemented. The Lab integrates strategic foresight, human-centered design, systems thinking, and behavioral insights into public policy processes, with NESDC playing a central role in steering its strategic direction and ensuring alignment with Thailand’s national development agenda.

TPLab is both a space and a platform for co-creation—where diverse stakeholders including government agencies, academics, civil society, youth, and the private sector come together to tackle complex policy issues. From population policy and health reform to youth engagement and digital governance, TPLab has supported a range of pioneering initiatives, while also building Thailand’s national capacity for public sector innovation. The Lab draws on UNDP’s global network of innovation labs, policy experts, and learning platforms to bring in international experience, tools, and insights to enrich local experimentation and learning.

As the project enters its second phase (2025–2027), UNDP is seeking a Policy Analyst to support the Lab’s mission through advanced policy research, experimentation design, knowledge management, and cross-sector collaboration. The Policy Analyst will play a key role in generating evidence-based policy recommendations and co-developing innovative approaches with public, private, and community stakeholders.

The Policy Analyst will report to the Project Manager / Head of TPLab, and work closely with the Policy Innovation Lead and other members of the TPLab team. The position offers an opportunity to be part of a creative, cross-functional environment where policy and innovation intersect—and where your work can shape the future of public service in Thailand.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy Analyst will lead and support the design, execution, and evaluation of comprehensive research and policy innovation initiatives across a range of prioritized policy domains including social protection, inclusive development climate action and other emerging issues. The role integrates advanced analytical methods with policy experimentation and participatory processes to co-create actionable, evidence-based recommendations that address complex policy challenges in Thailand. Working in close collaboration with the Thailand Policy Lab (TPLab) team and its partners, the analyst will coordinate cross-functional workstreams, lead the development of high-quality policy products, and support capacity-building, stakeholder engagement, and strategic knowledge sharing at national and regional levels.

The Policy Analyst will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Thailand Policy Lab/ Project manager, and alongside the Thailand Policy Lab members, including the Policy Analyst(s), Innovation and Policy Innovation Analyst/Lead, Communication Associate/ officer, Project Management Associate. 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment—including sexual harassment—and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Policy Research, Analysis, and Integration of Innovation Tools

• Design and lead applied policy research initiatives on complex development challenges, using advanced data analysis and cutting-edge policy innovation methodologies (e.g., foresight, systems thinking, behavioral insights)
• Draw on UNDP’s global policy network, communities of practice, and its regional policy and programme team for Asia and the Pacific to generate relevant policy insights
• Serve as the lead technical focal point for assigned thematic areas or policy pillars, coordinating interdisciplinary teams through the full policy cycle—from problem framing to experimentation and evaluation.
• Develop high-quality outputs, including research papers, policy briefs, and technical reports that translate complex evidence into clear, actionable policy recommendations.
• Lead the design and implementation of policy experiments, including the development of innovative testing methodologies, stakeholder engagement strategies, and evaluation frameworks that generate meaningful learning and practical insights.
• Collaborate with a broad spectrum of stakeholders—including government agencies, academia, civil society, private sector, and citizen groups—to co-create solutions that are contextually relevant and systemically informed.

Capacity Building, Communication, and Knowledge Sharing

• Design and facilitate inclusive policy dialogues, workshops, and stakeholder consultations using participatory and human-centered design approaches.
• Document and synthesize lessons from policy experiments and research activities, ensuring results are captured, reflected upon, and applied to future work.
• Produce and disseminate compelling knowledge products (e.g., case studies, toolkits, briefs) and organize knowledge exchange events that strengthen TPLab’s visibility and impact.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key institutions and actors across sectors, helping coordinate collaborative innovation efforts and policy reform initiatives.

Internal and External Collaboration

• Work closely with TPLab team members to share knowledge and contribute to cross-functional initiatives and workflows.
• Build a strong network with UNDP’s global, regional and national policy experts through UNDP’s Global Policy Network and its Communities of Practice, to bring the best available insights from other contexts and countries to inform TP Lab’s policy work. 
• Support internal learning across thematic areas through co-development of workshops, policy case development, and capacity-building materials.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of national and international events, policy dialogues, and innovation showcases.
• Actively engage with diverse partners and underrepresented groups, including youth, women, and marginalized communities, to ensure inclusive participation in policy design and innovation processes.

Perform other duties within the incumbent’s functional profile as required for the effective functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core competencies

• Achieve Results:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Data     

• Data analysis - Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making

Business Development          

• Knowledge Generation - Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations

Digital 

• Experimentation - Ability to design, run and manage tests to evaluate ideas, solutions, or interventions to address development challenges, observe and learn about (system-wide) effects and implications. Selecting appropriate experimentation methods, tools to fit with specific learning purposes (probe, trail & error, validate), conditions and constraints; being able to assess their potential risks, trade-offs and ethical ramifications. Ability to turn test results into recommendations, document and present them in compelling ways to inform further improvements, iterative development cycles, planning and decision making.

Business Direction & Strategy           

• Strategic Thinking - Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Digital & Innovation   

• Agile methodologies and practices - Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organising cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.

Business Development          

• Human-centered Design - Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process.  Knowledge and understanding of human centred design principles and practices

Business Management           

• Partnership Management - Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Social Sciences, Demographics, Jurisprudence, Rule of Law, or related disciplines is required or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience 
• Applicants are required to have professional experience in designing and analysing the public policy process. Equipped with professional level of applying policy innovation tools and processes, data analytics and public and private sector innovation strategies.

Required  skills 

• Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise on Policy and/or Public Sector Innovation
• Experience in leading the development of high-quality policy agendas and products – from research, analysis, design, to implementation  in areas including institution governance, competitiveness, justice and rule of law, climate action, population, human development, effective governance and related areas are desired.
• Proven experience of practical application of the policy innovation  tools and training capacity  (such as System thinking, Foresight, Humanistic Approaches, etc.)
• Knowledge Management: Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

Desirable Skills

• Proven experience in working with governments or international organizations on policy or policy innovation.
• Experience in working in or with similar policy labs is preferred 
• Experience working with UNDP or the UN System.
• Demonstrated experience in innovative approaches and/or humanistic approaches in development work.
• Extensive experience of coordinating international and multi-sector stakeholders including private, public, academic and the civil sectors partners.
• Excellent facilitation skills for multi-stakeholder workshops, policy innovation activity, policy hackathons, etc.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Thai is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

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