Background

Democratic governance is a concept that emerged from the principles that are based on the understanding that an effective system of democratic governance is one which is based on representative, equitable (across gender and other categories), transparent, accountable and inclusive institutions; a vibrant, responsible and capable media; and a dynamic civil society which is engaged in the political process. Phase 1 of DGD, which commenced in 2010 and ended in May 2011, addressed specific interventions that sought to improve the conduct of the 2011 general elections. During this phase, the project’s specific objectives were pursued through 6 distinct and inter-related programme components: Strengthening of the National Assembly; Strengthening of Political Parties; Improvement of the Electoral Process; Increased Capacity and Performance of Civil Society; Reinforcing the role of the Media; and Empowerment of Women. Based on lessons learnt and recommendations of the Project’s Strategic Review which was conducted between November 2011 and January 2012, the project document has been substantively revised to provide a clear understanding of the scope of the project, redefine the strategy, re-prioritize intervention areas, and provide more targeted assistance in order to ensure that the project produces the intended results within the constraints of time and funds.

Phase II of the project refocuses the DGD project and redefines its goals ‘to strengthen the democratic character of Nigerian political processes and outcomes.’ Similarly, to ensure a more focused and streamlined intervention targeted at specific key results areas where there would be no duplication of efforts, especially with other donors within and outside the Joint Donor Basket Fund (JDBF), the DGD Phase II has 4 major components namely: 1) Promoting Credible, Transparent and Sustainable Electoral Processes; 2) Improving the Democratic Quality of Political Engagement; 3) Enhancing Participation by Women, Youth and other marginalized groups and 4) Strengthening Channels of Civic Engagement. The contributors to the project are the European Commission, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). A Project Management Unit (PMU) runs the project under the leadership of the UNDP.

Under the strategic direction of the Project Director, and working in close coordination with development partners, the Senior Civil Society Expert will support and provide expert services in negotiations, identification of priorities, preparation of relevant documents and follow up support for management and continued partnership development to the project on behalf of DGD. As such, s/he will be required, inter alia, to:

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Advises on the bottom-up legitimacy aspects of democratization and election through the projects work in support of civil society;
• Maintains partnerships with civil society particularly the umbrella organizations and also through Component      Sectoral Working Group;
• Manages the Civil Society component of the DGD project;
• Substantively manages the directions and mechanisms of the project’s Civil Society grant scheme;
• Substantively certifies project activities implemented by civil society organizations;
• Carries out any other duties as assigned by the Project Director.

Function / Expected Results:
Advises on the bottom-up legitimacy aspects of democratization and election through the projects work in support of civil society focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Advise UNDP, JDBF partners, other national institutions, beneficiaries and sub-contractors on CSO;
• Advise the Project Director on the civil society component of the project and its strategic planning and direction;
• Identification of sources of information related to civil society and democratization issues;
• Identification of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.

Function / Expected Results:
Maintains partnerships with civil society particularly the umbrella organizations and also through Component Sectoral Working Group focusing on achieving the following results:

• Building of synergy among civil society organizations working in the area of democratic governance;
• Maintenance of a robust and healthy relationship between the  Project Management Unit and CSO partners such as the Civil Society Coordinating Committee on Electoral Reform (CSCC);
• Nurturing broader partnerships in the areas of democratic governance and elections, communicate and advocate the international partners’ positions and engage with Nigerian partners effectively;
• Offering of professional guidance to CSOs on development strategies and capacity building.

Function / Expected Results:
Manages the Civil Society component of the DGD project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensuring effective management of the civil society component of the DGD project;
• Co-ordination of  all activities relating to the CSO component of the project;
• Preparation of  work-plan, timelines and budget for  CSO activities for debating by PMU/CO and donor partners;
• Drafting terms of reference for calling proposals from CSOs for specified activities, follow their selection;
• Crafting  and management of  agreements with CSOs for specified services and objectives.

Function / Expected Results:
Substantively manages the directions and mechanisms of the project’s Civil Society grant scheme focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Making sure that the Civil Society Grant Scheme is well designed to meet the project needs;
• Effective and efficient utilization of the grant scheme to produce desired results.

Function / Expected Results:

• Substantively certifies project activities implemented by civil society organizations:
• Ensuring that CSO grants are awarded in strict compliance with UNDP procedures;
• Managing CSO sub-grants in a manner that ensures that contractual obligations are met. This includes making sure that reporting timelines are strictly complied with;
• Monitoring and evaluation of performance of CSO sub-grantees.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the shared vision, mission and strategic goals of the partners supporting the initiative;
• Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Proven competence in the field of democratic governance, well-informed on both electoral and broader democratic governance issues such as legislative development, the role and potential of mass and community media, civil society in emerging democratic societies, and the participation and role of women in politics. Comfortable with full range of sub-sectors within the project, although possibly more knowledgeable and experienced in some areas. S/he should have a strong grasp of the strategic, policy and nuts-and-bolts issues involved in capacity development in the area of democratic governance;
• Ability to appreciate and respond productively to the challenges faced in leading a high-risk initiative in a politically challenging environment. Ability to maintain calm and poise in high pressure and sometimes provocative situations as well as apply skills in mediation and consensus-building;
• Solid academic background and demonstrated abilities in analysis of complex political situations and providing strategic advice, while maintaining personal detachment;
• Proven managerial experience in an international context and ability to lead teams. Proven ability to make sound decisions in delegation of responsibilities and in finding a balance between a focus on detail and keeping an eye on the big picture. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Strong inter-personal communications and diplomatic skills, with an ability to listen, understand and respond effectively to different and divergent points of view expressed by a wide range of stakeholders. Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work plans. Proven ability to work under pressure and produce output that is accurate, timely and of high quality. Ability to manage conflicting priorities;
• Ability to understand and apply tools such as the logical framework, results-based approaches like UNDP’s RBM and PRINCE2. Solid knowledge and experience of project management. Ability to support and provide oversight to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Resourcefulness, good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with and between different levels and types of project personnel and counterparts.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Masters) related to democratic governance and development, such as Political Science, economics, law and other social sciences.

Experience:  

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in planning and implementing CSO activities in relation to electoral reforms and democratic  process;
• Progressively responsible work experience in democratic governance, including electoral issues, dealing with: (a) policy dialogue and advisory work; (b) leadership and management of research and analysis; (c) design and execution of capacity development programmes; (d) project management, including the leadership of multi-disciplinary expert teams, preferably funded by development partners (UN or other); and (e) promotion of stakeholder/community awareness of and participation in democratic governance.
• A good understanding of the social, economic, political and historical trends underpinning African and, ideally, Nigerian governance and electoral processes.
• Skills in training, process facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership-building.
• Ability to prepare high quality policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical research reflecting global good practice in democratic governance.
• Excellent PC user skills: word processing, spreadsheets, databases and web-based research.
• Ability to travel within Nigeria and overseas.
• Proven track record of advising, organizing and supervising public awareness activities partnering with CSOs, including that of CSOs capacity-building projects.
• Excellent knowledge of election procedures and frameworks. 
• Ability to work harmoniously with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• Familiarity with the civil society landscape in Nigeria.

Language Requirements:  

• Strong skills in written communications in English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports.
• Excellent spoken English is also required.

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.