UNDP Jobs - 48505- Public Institutional Specialist & Team Leader

Public Institutional Specialist & Team Leader

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

14-Aug-2014

Application Deadline :

07-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 Months

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Secretary of State for Institutional Strengthening is mandated under the Organic Law of the 5th Constitutional Government to help the Government of Timor Leste to build, monitor and improve strong transparent and accountable institutions with the capacity to serve the nation efficiently and effectively. With the assistance of a supporting Secretariat the Secretary of State also will provide advice and support to all state institutions through a consultative process to identify problems and develop solutions. This process is essential if the targets set out in the National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 and the Program of the 5th Constitutional Government are to be achieved.

Effective, smooth functioning Government institutions are essential for meeting the economic development challenges of young nations. Development is often obstructed by public institutions with weak operations, communications and governance structures resulting in unclear policies and failed projects that lack enforcement and consequently are unable to achieve the goals and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

To Design institutional capacity assessment tools that covers organic structure (systems and processes, SOPs), Human Resources (knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors) and leadership, including management, and to conduct a pilot testing of the developed tools in 3-4 national institutions. To revise the institutional capacity assessment tools with inputs from the pilot testing;
To train the relevant SEFI team on the use of the institutional capacity tools, including the analysis of assessment data and data presentations;
The institutional capacity assessment tool will assess organic structure (public finance policies and legal framework, systems and processes, SOPs), Human Resources (knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors) and leadership, including management of policies and programmes, finance, communications and human resources (knowledge, skills, role and functions) of the national institutions to identify the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and challenges and design prepare a Report with recommendations including strategies and plan to address the identified issues and to strengthen the Government institutions capacity.
To present the findings and recommendations of the assessment to internal SEFI and UNDP for finalization and further present it to the Council of Ministers of the Government of RDTL for endorsement.
To lead and coordinate the institutional capacity assessment planning and implementation including leading the assessment team (national and internationals) during the mission;
To be the focal point for the team during the assessment to provide regular updates of the assessment to SEFI and UNDP on the assessment;
He/she has the overall accountability for the timely delivery of the final results of the assessment;
To undertake the scope of assessment of the areas relevant to: institutional and organizational structure (policies and legal framework, systems and processes including SOPs), Human Resources (knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors) and leadership including management of policies and programmes, finance, communications and human resources (knowledge, skills, role and functions);
To have the overall responsibility on the presentations and incorporation of proposed revisions (if any) of the results of the assessment to the Council of Ministers RDTL.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

Familiarity with the Public Administration Reform and Institutional strengthening specifically;
Demonstrated capacity and expertise in Governance/Public Administration Reform and institutional strengthening assessment;
Ability to work under pressure, effectively coordinate and advise government, and meet tight deadlines without compromising on the quality of work, and being flexible;
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills.

Corporate Competencies:

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Postgraduate degree in Public Administration, Economics, Social Development, Political Science or equivalent from recognized educational institutions.

Experience:

Experience in leading Institutional and Organizational strengthening assessment and policy design team/s;
At least 10 years postgraduate qualification experience, working as a senior level technical expert on Public Administration Reform within Government or relevant institutions;
Experiences in Institutional Reform assessment and design of policies and strategies for institutional reform;
Relevant practical experience in the development and implementation of institutional frameworks and systems;
Knowledge of global changes and trends in public administration reform, particularly in the context of developing countries.

Language:

Fluency in spoken and written English and knowledge of Tetum and Portuguese language is advantage.