UNDP Jobs - 49685- National Officer (sub-National Parliamentary Suppo

National Officer (sub-National Parliamentary Support) - (Open to Myanmar Nationals Only) - 2 Duty Stations (2 - Posts)

Location :

1. Mandalay; 2. Mawlamyaing (Applicant has to specify duty station in order of priority), MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year (with possibility of extension)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

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. State assemblies 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 Executive Board of UNDP to lift mandate restrictions and to propose a fully-fledged UNDP country programme.

Under the current Constitution of Myanmar 2008 there are two levels of elected parliaments (Hluttaws) – at the Union (national) level and at the level of Regions and States. There are 14 State and Regional Hluttaws, and the relationship between the regional parliaments and the national parliament continues to evolve. The Constitution of Myanmar provides that the sub-national parliaments have jurisdiction to pass legislation in certain sectors. UNDP started working with state and regional parliaments in December 2013.

Background on UNDP Myanmar Programme:

In April 2013, a new three year UNDP Myanmar Country Action Plan (CPAP) was signed between the Government of Myanmar and UNDP. This CPAP presented a change in the way that UNDP worked in Myanmar. Previously UNDP was working under a restricted mandate and the new CPAP shifted UNDP from a programme focused on human development at the community level to a new programme with three pillars covering (i) Local Governance; (ii) Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction and (iii) Democratic Governance. The Pillar 3 covering Democratic Governance in turn contains four areas of complementary work (a) Development Effectiveness; (b) Parliamentary Strengthening; (c) Access to justice and (d) Public Administration.

The Parliament Strengthening started implementation of activities in April 2013. Together with the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), UNDP has engaged with the Union Assembly of Myanmar to identify areas where the capacity of the Union Assembly can be built in order for it to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate. Based on a series of assessment missions and discussions with senior political leaders in both the Pyithu Hluttaw and the Amyotha Hluttaw, UNDP and the IPU has develop a parliamentary strengthening component which includes a long-term, multi-faceted approach to capacity building. It covers capacity building for the Parliamentarians, the Parliamentary Administration as well as for the Regional/ State Parliaments. UNDP started working with state and regional parliaments in December 2013. Based on the interest from state and regional parliaments and the request made from the Union parliament the area of work increased rapidly and during the first stage of the work with state and regional parliaments. The interest for support from the state and regional parliaments has been overwhelming positive as their needs for support are pressing.

In order to cater to the need and seek to provide support to the state and regional parliaments UNDP has chosen a strategy of supporting strengthening the network between the state and regional parliaments in order to support better transfer of knowledge and experience between them. UNDP will focus its support on two parliaments, Sagaing and Mon, which have proven to be two of the most proactive parliaments and therefore more receptive to support for capacity development and change. These parliaments will serve as models which can transfer knowledge and experience to other parliaments, Sagaing for Upper Myanmar and Mon for Lower Myanmar. In addition special focus will be given to the Parliament of Shan, as this state will be the one state where all of UNDP’s country programmes will be present because of its unique context.

UNDP will seek to work with the state and regional parliaments in close coordination with its Local Governance Programme, which focuses mainly on the administration of the state and regions. In this regard activities supporting the state and regional parliaments will be complimentary and provide further capacity for the state and regional parliaments to discharge their function of overseeing and representing the people. UNDP will also provide capacity building activities linked to activities implemented through the Union Parliament (national level) in order to take advantage of the activities implemented at this level.

Under direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Regional Parliament) and in close coordination with the Programme Analyst Parliament, the incumbent is responsible for supporting the implementation of activities at the sub-national level under the Parliamentary Strengthening output of the Country Programme. The incumbent will also be responsible for further developing relations with the sub-national parliaments and other relevant stakeholders. Furthermore the incumbent will be responsible for providing input to the Parliamentary Strengthening output of the Country Programme based on knowledge of and experience with the development of the democratic institutions of Myanmar, especially the sub-national parliaments.

The incumbent will contribute to promoting coordination and close collaboration at the sub-national level with other outputs of Pillar 3 (Rule of Law, Public Administration, Development Effectiveness), and other relevant parts of the Country Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Develop and implement programme strategies under the sub-national parliamentary output;
Manage sub-national parliamentary activities at the local level;
Support coordination across the UNDP programme at the sub-national level; and
Develop and foster relations with local stakeholders at the sub-national level.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Regional Parliament), and acting in close coordination with the Programme Analyst Parliament, the incumbent provides strategic coordination and implementation in the programme area of sub-National Parliamentary Strengthening:

Develop and implement programme strategies

Contribute to the design, monitoring and evaluation of sub-national parliamentary strengthening activities;
Support developing a functioning network between state and regional parliaments for sharing good practices and experiences;
Supports the assessment of and effectiveness of UNDP’s parliamentary strengthening activities at the sub-national level;
Prepares communication products in order to highlight and inform a wide audience of UNDPs support to parliamentary strengthening at the sub-national level;
Provide inputs to developing AWP and budgets;
Identify local resources who can be engaged in implementation of activities.

Manage sub-national parliamentary activities

Prepares and organize activities to be implemented under the Annual Work Plan (AWP) for sub-national parliaments;
Implement capacity building activities for sub-national parliaments;
Supports building the capacity of sub-national stakeholders for inclusive and participatory coordination, planning and policy making;
Provides effective support and advice to national/international specialists working on specific activity results- if applicable;
Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results;
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes;
Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions.

Support coordination across the UNDP programme at the sub-national level

Coordinate with other outputs of UNDPs country programme for maximizing the effect of activities under programme intervention;
Promotes joint programming and collaborates effectively in established frameworks for UN;
Coordinate with UNDP Area Office Coordinator and staff in the State/Regional office supporting operations;
Support greater engagement between sub-national parliaments and other local stakeholders such as civil society and media.

Develop and foster relations with local stakeholders at the sub-national level

Develop and maintain relations with sub-national counterparts;
Contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and competitive selection of partners for implementation of UNDP projects;
Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP and country needs.

Any other tasks as assigned by the Strategic and Technical Advisor, Programme Specialist (Regional Parliament)/or Programme Analyst for the Parliamentary Support Programme.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of country programme within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, the key results have an impact on the UNDP Country Programme Action Plan and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Maintains and establishes network of contacts with national and State/Regional counterparts for information sharing and responding to capacity development request;
Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with stakeholders.

Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda-Operating information for policy input:

Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Demonstrates good knowledge of Myanmar laws and its application;
Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
Ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

Client Orientation:

Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Core 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;
Show strong corporate commitment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Bachelor or Master in Political Science, Development Studies, Economics, Human Rights and/or Law or a related discipline.

Experience:

Candidates with Bachelor degree requires 4 years of experience while candidates with Master degree will require 2 years of relevant working experience in a field such as hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, providing capacity development and training;
Proven project cycle management experience with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation);
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, and handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (both writing and speaking) and Myanmar.

Remark:

“Candidates must apply on-line through UNDP job website together with duly filled and signed UN-P11 form, academic qualification certificates. Applications without these document will not be considered. P11 form can be downloaded here: http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx”.