Background

UNDP Africa’s strategic vision places capacity development for pro-poor growth and accountability at the centre of all UNDP-supported activities in the region, given the fact that lack of capacity in these areas remains one of the key challenges faced by Africa today in its efforts to achieve the MDGs.  To achieve this goal UNDP has set itself the tasks of:  i) strengthening its strategic thinking and advocacy functions in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan and with Africa’s development agenda; ii) creating in-house capacity to translate corporate support goals into capacity development results; and iii) providing support to UN reform and strengthening its partnerships with both UN and external development partners.  

In order to achieve these objectives, UNDP works through its Regional Bureau for Africa to strengthen capacities of African countries, regional and sub-regional institutions.

This support is guided by the Fourth Africa Regional Programme which builds on the Regional Cooperation Framework III’s three strategic key results:

• (i) Building Effective and Democratic States in Africa;
• (ii) Accelerating the Pace of Regional Integration,  and
• (iii) Strengthening Management of Governance Knowledge in Africa.

 The UNDP Regional Programme focuses on four Outcome areas:

The UNDP Africa Regional Programme outcomes will be achieved through various regional programmes developed and implemented by the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa through its Regional Service Centre for Africa. The UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, supports the policy, programme and technical assistance activities of UNDP to regional and sub-regional institutions, Country Offices and programme countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Its core responsibilities are to provide policy and advisory services; to manage regional programs; and to provide comparative knowledge and information and referral of technical experts. The RSCA is composed of Development Solutions Teams (DST) that work in an integrated way to deliver on the Regional Programme Outcomes and mandate. The DST work covers the following issues: Democratic Governance, Poverty and Inequality, State and Regional Institutions capacities; Energy and Environment, HIV/AIDS, Gender and Knowledge management.

The current Regional Governance Programme is intended to contribute to the four outcomes of the Africa Regional Programme(2014-2017) related to Strengthening systems of Democratic Governance in Africa to meet African Citizen’s expectations for voice, development, rule of law and accountability.

More particularly the Democratic Governance team seeks to:

• (i) Enhance political  and economic participation of youth and women; Strengthen the effective and efficient management of elections;
• (ii) Strengthen Economic Governance, extractives sector governance ,Anti-corruption initiatives and service delivery;
• (iii) Build the capacities of parliaments, constitution-making bodies and regional institutions/mechanisms for oversight, participation and representation;
• (iv) Strengthen governance, rule of law, human rights and justice delivery for peaceful transitions; and
• (v) Identify, codify and disseminate governance knowledge, data and statistics in Africa.

The Governance Programme consists of several components ,including:

• (i) Support to the African Peer Review Mechanism;
• (ii) Support to the Africa Governance and Public Administration Programme (AGPAP);
• (iii) Support to the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs); and
• (iv) Joint United Nations Economic Commission Africa (ECA)-UNDP Initiatives.
  

The Democratic Governance team also supports programmes on:

Public Administration Reform and Anti-Corruption, Local Governance, and Access to Justice and Human Rights, Electoral Systems and Processes. Each practice and sub-practice relates to global and regional ‘communities of practice’ that actively include UNDP Country Office staff.

This Regional Programme Advisor AU/NEPAD and RECs is intended to manage project activities related to:

• (i) Supporting  the implementation of AU Agenda 2063  and Shared Values Agenda;
• (ii) Supporting efforts aimed at the popularization ,ratification and domestication of AU normative frameworks aimed at empowering women , youth , persons living with HIV/AIDS and persons living with disabilities;
• (iii) Supporting the implementation of the AU Human Rights Strategy for Africa;
• (iv) Support implementation of cross-cutting governance issues;
• (v) Support regional Capacity Development of Election Management Bodies in Africa;
• (vi) Enhance capacities of Regional Parliamentary Bodies;
• (vii) Support the increased participation of CSOs, women, youth groups in regional and sub-regional governance activities; (viii) Support the implementation of the programmes of the Africa Forum for Former Heads of State and Government; and
• (ix) Enhance the capacities of the Pan-African Parliament(PAP) to implement and monitor regional integration programmes and initiatives; and
• (x) Support implementation of the NEPAD Agenda and programmes in liaison with AUC and RECs.

The Programme Advisor for the AU/NEPAD and RECs Component is responsible for developing, strengthening and managing UNDP partnerships with AU Organs and Institutions, including the Regional Coordination Mechanism of the UN System in Support to the AU, the Africa Governance Architecture (AGA) and Platform, sub-regional parliaments, Pan-African Parliament, African Courts, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and RECs. He/she will provide strategic and intellectual leadership to guide, coordinate and facilitate the strengthening of institutional capacities related to governance initiatives and programmes amongst stakeholders, clients and partners. He/she is also responsible for leading the support to the implementation of project activities throughout the Africa region.  The post has a matrix reporting line to the Regional Governance Programme Manager and the Director Regional Service Centre for Africa who will provide supervision for programme implementation,   technical guidance and collaboration on programme implementation, direction, harmonization, linkages and coordination.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Programme planning and implementation;
• Programme management, monitoring and oversight;
• Policy advice and strategic technical guidance and leadership;
• Building strategic partnerships and alliance;
• Building knowledge and capacity.

Duties and responsibilities:
 
Program planning and implementation:

• Lead the analysis of the political, social and economic trends in the region and establish the implementation plan for the AU/NEPAD-REC component of the Governance Program. Collaborate with the internal and external partners and stakeholders to map critical interventions, linkages and coordination of project activities to meet the desired outcomes;
• Coordinate inter-thematic and multi-disciplinary teams work with NEPAD , the Sub-regional parliaments, PAP and RECs;
• Lead UNDP engagement with RECs and other AU Organs ,including the Africa Governance Architecture(AGA) and Africa Peace and Security Architecture(APSC) on governance issues;
• Plan, manage, monitor and oversee the different steps and stages of implementation, take decisions and timely actions to ensure results are achieved;
• Propose areas for continuing support based on changing regional trends, priorities, political and economic conditions;
• Plan and manage program resources (financial and human) to maximize programme cost effectiveness and efficiency;
• Promote active participation of CSOs, women and youth groups in project activities.  Identify, assess and build-up a roster of qualified entitles in the region based on a set of pre-determined selection criteria;  
• Manage the preparation for Programme Board, Steering Committee and Programme Management Team Meetings and other designated fora and follow up on all decisions taken to ensure implementation and/or timely action;
• Be responsible for all required and ad hoc reporting requirements (quarterly and annual progress, financial, procurement, donor reporting, etc) for management information, oversight and action.

Programme management, monitoring and oversight:

• Establish the work plan, activities, targets, budget, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient project implementation and operations and achievement of results;
• Monitor progress and identify risks for timely action and early resolution;
• Plan and manage project resources (financial and human) to maximize project cost effectiveness and efficiency;
• Plan and oversee the implementation of mid-term and other required program evaluation to address any design or implementation issues;
• Authorize and/or approve the appropriate use of human, financial, assets and other organizational resources;
• Determine the staffing needs and/or consultancy, approve terms of reference, establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and effective supervision support to ensure optimum performance of the  team;
• Manage, monitor and report on all additional funding mobilized according to Agreements entered into to ensure full adherence to the terms and conditions of each Agreement signed;
• Ensure compliance of all actions and activities with organizational rules, regulations, policies, strategies and internal control mechanisms and the achievement of results according to the principles of results based management (RBM).

Policy advice and strategic technical guidance and leadership:

• Provide authoritative advice and technical guidance on programme implementation and delivery. Initiate strategic discussions and contribute to senior level government debate to advocate and promote organizational issues, and agenda;
• Prepare/submit policy proposals, position papers and/or documents for internal and external strategic discussions, consideration, policy formulation and assessment and/or approval;
• Assess programme impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results. Develop innovative improvements to enhance performance;
• Actively pursue  most appropriate and/or innovative  approaches and methodology for maximum program impact and sustainability;
• Advise UNDP senior management, senior national government officials and other partners on the direction, strategies and technical issues of the programme.

Building strategic partnerships and alliance:

• Strengthen and manage partnerships with NEPAD, PAP and RECs;
• Support the strengthening of networks and platforms of African CSOs and Academic Institutions working on and with NEPAD, AUC and RECs;
• Maintain dialogue with partners and stakeholders to advocate, promote and advance organizational issues, priorities, interests and competencies for a successful programme delivery;
• Coordinate and collaborate with clients, partners and stakeholders to link and harmonize approaches and to promote common interests and achievement of results;
• Develop a strategy and plan of action for resource mobilization to achieve optimum interests and funding;
• Represent UNDP in regional and global fora to promote, advocate and speak for the organizational on strategic and common issues. Coordinate with relevant Government/Regional Institution implementing partners and UNDP to ensure that expected results are delivered in a timely manner.

Building knowledge and capacity:

• Introduce innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and  expertise and promote its application and standardization  in programs and in UNDP;
• Support the documentation of the work of RECs and AUC and its contribution to the Regional Integration Agenda;
• Provide a knowledge and evidence base for the effective implementation of the Regional Governance Programme in support of AU Agenda 2063 and the Shared Values Agenda;
• Support the documentation of NEPAD programmes and project successes as well as the evidence base for programme review and strengthening;
• Access UNDP’s worldwide and regional knowledge, best practices and lessons learned, distil best practices and ensure its dissemination for organizational and stakeholders learning and sharing;
• Develop a strategic plan and manage the implementation of activities for learning and development of stakeholders and partners.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures.  Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership:

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

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design,  planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting;
• Ability  to  provide inputs to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new systems, including new IT based systems;
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the African Union and Regional Economic Communities; African governments and development partners required. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job;
  
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to advocate and influence policy makers;
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
  

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the programme and office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters degree in public administration, political or social sciences, international studies, and related development field;
  
• Post graduate studies in Democratic Governance highly desirable.

Experience:

• A least ten years of progressively responsible experience in democratic governance and other related areas at the policy and operational levels  in a governmental, multilateral, bilateral or Civil Society Organizational-setting and within a multicultural environment at national or international level;
• Knowledge of the AU,NEPAD and RECs would be an added advantage;
• Ability to use computers  and  office  software  packages  and  advance  knowledge  of  spreadsheet  and  database packages (MS Word,  Excel,  etc)  and experience in handling of web based management systems.   

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in French and English  is required and good working knowledge of other working languages in the region is desirable.