Programme Specialist - Governance

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the RR or his/her designate, the Programme Specialist is responsible for management of the UNDP programme within the governance thematic area.  This is a senior position whereby the specialist has the responsibility of ensuring that relevant programmes are formulated and implemented to address governance issues (such as human rights, legal and judicatory reform, decentralization, anti-corruption, and cross cutting issues such as transparency, accountability and participation, youth, gender and disability,) facing the country in partnership with government and relevant stakeholders. The role holder also manages portfolio staff and consultants.

S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP programme and operations teams, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society organizations ensuring successful delivery of transformational development results.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Formulation and implementation of programme strategies.
• Management of the CO governance programme.
• Creation of strategic partnerships, formulation and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
• Provision of top-quality upstream policy advisory services to the Government and, facilitation of knowledge generation/building and management of knowledge products for the generation of transformational development results
• Contribution to the Delivering as One initiative and provision of substantive inputs to the UN Governance work 

1. Formulation and implementation of programme strategies focusing on                          achievement of the following results:

•  Thorough analysis and research of  the political,  social and economic situation in the   country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents.
•  Identification of areas for support and interventions within the governance thematic area.
• Support implementation of corporate strategic initiatives such as HACT and other reporting obligations.
• Design and formulation of CO programme within the governance area, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions.
• Leads the formulation of strategies and briefing notes on Governance to the CO management.

2.  Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the governance                 thematic  area focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of         the country   programme achieving the following results

• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievements of results.
• Coordination of programme implementation with the Executing Agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
• Initiation of projects, presentation of the projects to LPAC, entering projects into Atlas, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions, coordination of the mandatory and budgetary re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through reviews
• Quality reports  prepared  for Project steering   meetings
• Recruitment and procurement processes for projects successfully  implemented
• Financial  and  substantive  monitoring  and  evaluation  of  projects,  identification  of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
• Effective participation in audit of NEX/NIM projects in the governance thematic area.
• Audit recommendations implemented.
• Aggregate reports are  regularly  prepared  on  activities,  outputs  and  outcomes.
• Preparation of donor reports, quarterly financial and progress reports and annual work plans
• Ensure TORs for consultants are prepared as required
• Innovation is integration in Programme implementation
• Innovation is integrated into monitoring and evaluation results
• Rlevant high -impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners,

3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource            mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of strategic partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, Government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in governance thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor priorities
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office efforts in resource mobilization.
• Production and dissemination of knowledge products.

4. Provision of top quality upstream policy advice services to the Government and,          facilitation of knowledge building and management for the achievement of the             following  results:

•  Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issue
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Establishment of  advocacy  networks  at  national  level  and  linked  to  international networks.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme..

5. Effective contribution to the Delivering as One initiative and provision of substantive  inputs to the UN Governance work for the achievement of the following results:

•  Effective participation and provision of substantive inputs to the UN Governance related  group
•  Identification of joint interventions programming in the governance areas
• Collaborative preparation and/or revision of CCA, UNDAF, CPD and other documents
• Provide substantive inputs to the  Government  and other stakeholders related Governance technical working groups
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices from programmes
• Support the Government and CO on the UPR process and other international reporting obligations of the country.

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Creates effective advocacy strategies
• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
•  Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals
• dentifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking
•  Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor

Resource Mobilization

• Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach
•  Identifies and compiles lessons learned
• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
•  Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s  Goals

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level

Client Orientation

• Anticipates client needs
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
•  Building support and political acumen
• Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
• Building and promoting effective teams
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in democratic governance related subjects 

 Experience:

A minimum of 5 years  of relevant  experience  at  the  national  or international level in working  on strategic democratic governance issues

• Experience in decentralization, human rights, legal and judicial reform, anti-corruption, and legal aid, would be an advantage   
•  Experience with working on gender equality, disability  and youth issues would be  an advantage
• Experience in working in projects focusing on accountability, transparency and participation would be an advantage

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and  the national language

Women are strongly encouraged to apply. The selection process will be fair and transparent.