Background

The Department Of Political Affairs (DPA) is carrying out its support to Nepal’s peace process and long-term stability through frequent visits to the country with a view to closely monitoring peace process developments, the preparations for the next CA election and future constitution making process, conducting regular consultations with all relevant Nepalese actors and providing regular updates and recommendations to the Under Secretary General for Political Affairs and Secretary-General and as appropriate.

This engagement is supported by the presence in Kathmandu of a small UN DPA Liaison Team which is attached to the Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC-HC). The democratic governance specialist is intended as temporary “surge capacity” to enhance the team’s capacity about information and analysis with regard to the pre- and post electoral environment, in light of the upcoming CA elections.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Office, the Democratic Governance Specialist is responsible for:

• Maintaining regular contact with key national stakeholders to assess the electoral environment  and identify potential threats and disturbances;
• Providing inputs and report on the above to the weekly and thematic reports on electoral environment;
• Coordinating and interacting with the UN Country team on issues related to the planning and implementation of support the next CA election;
• Maintaining positive working relationship with relevant national stakeholders.
  

Assess key developments with regards to the peace process and CA election process including challenges to them.

• Maintain regular and reliable contacts with key national actors and government authorities, non-governmental actors;
• Assess the impact of regional trends on the peace process and  next CA election;
• Attend and contribute to the policy planning and senior management meetings as required.

Undertake research on thematic subjects and provide substantive input for the DPA/RCHCO Liaison Team’s periodic reports.

• Produce weekly reports and thematic internal analytical reports including the critical issues in the peace process;
• Draft scenarios, briefing notes, messages and analytical reports on key developments in Nepal.

The Democratic Governance Specialist ensures favorable contributions towards partnership building among key stakeholders in the post conflict national setting.

• Participate in fact-finding and other missions;
• Support the planning and implementation of the Office’s substantive work-plan in accordance with the scope of work of the office;
• Attend and speak at seminars/programs related to office scope and its work as required;
• Perform other duties, including interpretation during high-level meetings and/or translation, as required.

The Democratic Governance Specialist ensures knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results.

• Advocates for UN with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise;
• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the country programme for organizational sharing and learning;
• Supports capacity-building of national counterparts;
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in UN.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in UN and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively,  mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Completion of Master’s Degree in political science or humanities and social sciences or international relations, or law, history, public policy, international economics or other related fields with studies in diplomatic relations and peacekeeping.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in development experience in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization or media in a multi-cultural setting including at least 4 years experience in peace building and peace process monitoring works in a post conflict country;
• Experience of working in regions of Nepal would be desirable.

Language requirements:

• Good written and spoken skill in English and Nepali.