Background

The country of Myanmar is at an historic stage in its development. A new Constitution was adopted in May 2008 and elections were held in November 2010 with bi-elections in April 2012. Parliament and governments have been formed at the national and region/state levels. A number of reforms have already been undertaken focusing on good governance, human rights and reaching cease-fire agreements in a number of conflict areas. These reforms are seen as positive steps, which have led to increasing engagement with the international community and allowed the Executive Board of UNDP to lift mandate restrictions and to propose a fully-fledged UNDP country program (approved by the Executive Board at its 1st regular session in January 2013 and by the Government of Myanmar in April, 2013).

Against this rapidly changing background, UNDP Myanmar, after more than 20 years of working exclusively at the grassroots level through the Human Development Initiative, has agreed with the Government of Myanmar on the implementation of a country program (2013-2015). The Country Program Action Plan (CPAP) which is structured along three pillars was signed with the government counterpart in April 2013, and the programs have started their implementation since then. The CPAP envisages contributions towards strengthening democratic governance and provision of policy advice for poverty reduction (pillar 3), strengthening resilience against climate change and disaster risk reduction (pillar 2), and targeted support for strengthening institutions of local governance and to contribute to enhanced social cohesion (pillar 1).

Under the overall program of pillar 01 – Strengthening of responsive local governance - four specific outputs are being pursued:

• Output 01 - Strengthened institutional capacity for local governments and township administrations for area-related development planning, responsive and effective public service delivery, organizational management and conflict prevention;
• Output 02 – Citizens and communities engaged in local development and monitoring of service delivery (combined civil society and media support);
• Output 04 - Strengthened capacity of institutions required to support livelihoods at the local level (microfinance, vocational training, technical extension centers);
• Output 05 – Livelihood support for social cohesion.

Output 01 is designed to assist the government in strengthening institutional capacity of local governments (being State/Region, District and Township level Administrations) several thematic areas such as participatory planning and budgeting; responsive and effective people-centred service delivery; local government financial management and conflict mitigation and conflict prevention.

The Coordinator will be responsible for managing the Subnational / Local Governance Mapping (LG mapping) activity, which is a major activity within Output 01.

UNDPs contribution under Output 01 is focused primarily at the township level. A key aim is to the enhance of the capacity of local administrations to increase the quality and coverage of public services with effectiveness, efficiency and transparency, to institute and apply coherent township planning and budgeting processes, and to mobilize resources. Activities have been initiated in selected states and regions (initially focusing on Chin and Mon states) at the township and the village tract level with the overall objective to develop replicable models for later scale up in other locations.

The purpose of the mapping exercise is to better understand the state of governance in Myanmar at township and lower levels, from both the supply and demand side perspective, i.e., from the institutional and people’s perspectives. The mapping exercise will identify the opportunities and challenges that exist in the area of sub-national governance, in order to contribute to policy discussions on regional and local governance in an informed manner. It is expected that this mapping exercise will build on the momentum of reforms, and contribute to a further consolidation of the democratic transition process in Myanmar. 

The mapping exercise will provide national stakeholders with the necessary data and information to make better informed decisions/produce better informed policies/better plans for improved service delivery and democratic governance at local level. The people of Myanmar (including the poor and most vulnerable) will provide much of the content of this mapping exercise; it gives them an opportunity to express their perceptions. Additionally, it will provide UNDP and other International Development Partners with relevant baseline data to improve programming, indicator development and progress monitoring. The outcome of this mapping exercise will be used as a basis to design and refine, jointly with the government counterparts, UNDP’s future work on local governance in Myanmar.

Mon and Chin were selected at the pilot states of the LG mapping exercise, and the mapping activities have been successfully concluded in these states. Five more states and regions will be covered in Phase II of the mapping exercise, to be completed by the end of May 2014. These are – Kayin, Kayah, Tanintharyi, Bago and Ayeyarwaddy. The remaining states/regions will be covered in Phase III of the mapping, between May – September 2014.

The findings will be shared through regular workshops, but most importantly in a consolidated fashion during the second Local Governance Forum, to be held in close collaboration with the Government of Myanmar, in October 2014. In addition, an agreed approach of sharing and storing the overall mapping results in a sustainable way for wider access of the public as well as for use of the government partners of the UNDP local governance program beyond the immediate mapping period will need to be developed in consultation with the partners, agreed upon and implemented. This might entail additional capacity building support to the government partners, in agreement with recommendations from the Advisory Committee set up for overlooking and guiding the mapping exercise on behalf of the government.

Upon completion of the field level mapping exercise, the coordinator will take the lead for the formulation of an overall response strategy based on the Sub-national Governance Mapping results, including highlighting specific program interventions and capacity development interventions at union, state and township level for the use of UNDP and government partners. The coordinator will also take the lead in design of and support to the drafting of specific capacity development strategies in response to the findings of the local governance mapping results at the level of interested States/ Regions. Contingent on funding, a minimum of 3 State/ Regional level capacity development strategies should be developed.
Accountable to and under the day to day supervision of the program specialist output 01, or the respective assigned senior program officer, and under the overall supervision of the Team Leader of Pillar 1, the coordinator will be responsible for implementing the local governance mapping activity and ensuring its successful completion. The coordinator will work as part of the larger team of Pillar 1, and will work closely with and be supported by national staff as well as national and international consultants.

This is a Development Project funded position.

Duties and Responsibilities

The key result expected from the coordinator is the successful implementation and conclusion of the LG Mapping exercise. Within this overall frame, the successful candidate will – among others – be responsible for the following tasks / activities:

• Management and Implementation;
• Knowledge Management;
• Results monitoring and Reporting;
• Advocacy and Partnership Development;
• Program Development and Support to Program Formulation.

Management and implementation:

• Develop and regularly update detailed implementation plans and work plans for the implementation of the LG mapping exercise (Phases II and III), in consultation with team members, consultants and other staff of Pillar I, including field-based staff;
• Draft terms of reference, identify and engage temporary staff, and recruit, train and supervise staff, as required. Lead the required procurement process for hiring of service providers and consultants required for the field level roll out and successful implementation of the mapping exercise;
• Advise and support the international expert on governance assessments in the updating the tools, guidelines and survey protocols used for local governance mapping, based on the experience of Phase I and II states and regions;
• Coordinate the overall implementation of the mapping exercises, including planning of activities at various levels, deployment of staff and consultants, and monitoring and review of outputs from consultants and sub-contractors;
• Maintain strong relations and manage communications with the Government of Myanmar and the respective state/region governments, as well as Township GAD and other officials, non-governmental stakeholders and international development partners, as required;
• Oversee and coordinate the organization of and substantive collaboration with the Advisory Committee of the local governance mapping, as well as other government partners and bodies;
• Lead and guide subcontractors and consultants engaged for the field level roll out of the mapping in the different states and regions following the agreed methodology and approved implementation plans;
• Oversee the data collection by the subcontractor and review the data collected, preliminary findings and analysis by the subcontracted parties with regards to accuracy, soundness and completeness;
• Take overall responsibility for ensuring the highest quality of end results. Initiate, guide and oversee the drafting of various reports and presentations to be produced by the mapping exercise, ensuring the highest level of quality in presentation, content and relevance;
• Develop innovative strategies for dissemination and sharing, as well as for uptake of the findings from LG mapping, both with the government, international development partners, and within UNDP;
• Ensure close collaboration and creation of synergies between program components within the pillar program, especially within output 01 and 02 of the Pillar 01 program, as well across pillars of the wider UNDP program, in particular with Pillar 03 (democratic governance), especially its work on Access to Justice Mapping;
• Actively support the Team Leader of Pillar 01 to achieve the overall and cross-output results of pillar 01, as required and requested by the team leader;
• Provide technical and strategic advice to UNDP, Pillar 01 Team Leader, UNDP Country Director, as required.

Knowledge Management:

• Take the lead in setting up/ maintaining and further developing an innovative knowledge management system for the results and findings produced by the local governance mapping process;
• Identify, synthesize and publish best practices and lessons directly linked to the Local Governance Mapping. Contribute to UNDP Myanmar policy briefs in the substance area;
• Develop strategies for sharing the findings as well as the database from LG mapping, through an interactive online open-access system. Explore options for institutionalization of the mapping process within appropriate government institutions;
• Introduce innovation and best practices to enhance program performance under the pillar 01 of the country program. Collaborate with UNDP Bureau of Development Policy and with UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre and other internal and external development partners to identify and share best program practices in the area of local governance assessments and strengthening;
• Contribute to the analytical work of UNDP and ensure high quality knowledge products. Enhance the substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensure effective integration thereof with other pillars;
• Contribute to the process of knowledge creation and dissemination related to national and international know-how in the subject area. In this context, partner with other practitioners and UNDP global and regional networks;
• Organize formal and informal internal and external events and activities for sharing the mapping results with communities of practices, experts in government, academia, think tanks, private companies, NGOs, development partners and the UN system.

Results monitoring and reporting:

• Continuously monitor and set up an effective reporting systems to report on progress, implementation and results achieved with regards to the local governance mapping;
• Report regularly to the Program Specialist Output 01 / the Team Leader Pillar 1 through formal and informal channels;
• Report, on a quarterly basis or as requested, to UNDP country office on milestones and results achieved against the work plans, highlighting results and achievements as well as risks and issues and propose concrete response and follow-up actions;
• Contribute to the regular reporting to the agreed program governance mechanism, including the Output Board, Pillar Board and Program Steering Committee, as guided by the Team Leader and UNDP senior management;
• Ensure full and timely reporting of development results with a focus on sustainability and on value for money; develop and pursue effective communication for development results and public outreach.

Advocacy and Partnership Development:

• Represent UNDP in national and sub-national multi-stakeholder forums and other key meetings and events, participate in policy dialogue, as designated to speak on program issues in the area of local governance assessments and local government reform;
• Maintain active relationships and partnerships with the Government, CSOs/NGOs, UN system and agency partners, intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations, academia, media, and the private sector on national priorities in the area of local governance and local development to enhance collaboration, resource mobilization, sharing of ideas and to influence agenda and priority setting;
• Develop and provide the Government of Myanmar with evidence-based policy recommendations on how to improve the quality of governance and service delivery at the township and lower levels;
• Develop strategies to secure new partnerships based on program requirements and emerging opportunities.

Program Development and Support to Program formulation:

• Based on the consolidated reports and findings of the local governance mapping, lead the drafting and provide strategic advice to the pillar 1 team and the UNDP CO in Myanmar, as well as to key government partners, for the formulation of an overall response strategy based on the sum of the local governance mapping results from the various states and regions, including highlighting specific program interventions and capacity development interventions at union, state and township level;
• Design and lead the process with interested state/ regional governments to develop and draft capacity development strategies in response to the findings of the local governance mapping results. Such strategies should at least be developed for 3 states/ regions till April 2016, contingent on funding;
• Provide in this regard technical and strategic advice to UNDP, Pillar 01 Team Leader, UNDP Country Director, as required.

Impact of Results

Results of the work will have a significant impact on:

• Ensuring outputs results are directed at achieving and contributing to the program results;
• Improving capacities, knowledge and skills, as well as learning on local governance and local development in Myanmar and internationally.

The key results will have an impact on the overall success of the country program and reaching UNDP CPAP/CPD and project document goals of pillar 01. In particular the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming support to local governance reform and strengthening, township planning, the availability of better baselines and tools for performance management, civil society and media capacity building, and related activities such as strengthening of democratic processes and institutions (particularly in the area of institutionalized participation of citizens, accountability and representation), effective partnership building with sub national and national governments and contribution to policy formation and ongoing reform processes.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and without favoritism; and
• Shows strong corporate commitment.

Functional Competencies

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning and facilitate crucial decision making at the highest levels of government;
• Ability to lead the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategic policies and sound development program;
• Ability to generate creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
• Strong technical and practical leadership and knowledge in issues related to aid management, coordination and effectiveness;
• Familiarity with UN system and role of key stakeholders in the area of national development plans, local-level planning, aid management, coordination and effectiveness;
• Ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment through leadership and personal example;
• Ability to promote UNDP as a learning/knowledge sharing organization Experience in capacity development and facilitating positive transformational change.

Management and Leadership:

• Ability to build strong relationships with clients, to focus on impact and to responds positively to constructive feedback;
• Personal attributes to consistently approaching work with energy and a positive constructive attitude;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write in a clear and concise manner;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Excellent computer skills, and applications for report and project planning;
• Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to deliver programs/projects within assigned deadlines;
• Openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and objectivity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher in social sciences, development studies, management or other relevant fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years progressively responsible and relevant professional working experience at senior level in the area of technical support to local governance;
• Proven multiyear track record in program design, provision of technical assistance in the area of local governance, as well as hands-on experience in local governance assessments;
• Proven multiyear track record in management of local government support programs, preferably within UNDP or another international agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle management (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation);
• Proven track record in partnership building, policy development, advocacy;
• Prior experience of development work in Myanmar, as well as in South-East Asia and countries in transition would be an asset;
• Previous experience in managing large scale research programs aiming at practice based policy advice and programming inputs would be an asset;
• Prior experience in drafting/ editing publications in the form of reports or strategies for an international audience in English;
• Experience in capacity development and facilitating positive transformational change;
• Experience in providing technical assistance and substantive inputs in the area of local governance;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems and social knowledge networks.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of local language(s) would be an asset.

Note:

Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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.