UNDP Jobs - 51630- Policy Specialist (Public Administration Reform &

Policy Specialist (Public Administration Reform & Anti-Corruption)

Location :

Hanoi, VIET NAM

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2015

Application Deadline :

30-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year with possible extension

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

Position category: Development Project Funded Post (DPF)

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Country Director and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the Policy Advisor on Public Administration Reform (PAR) and Anti-Corruption (AC) provides advice on policies and trends and relevant linkages to UNDP programmes in the areas of PAR and AC. The Policy Advisor works closely with Government counterparts to identify alternative policy options and to enhance the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes. S/he contributes to UNDP’s policy dialogue with the Government and donors and facilitates knowledge building and sharing;

The Policy Advisor is located in the Governance Cluster of UNDP Viet Nam and works together with a team of other Policy Advisors, Programme Analysts and Programme Assistants. The Policy Advisor maintains a network with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, IFI’s, Government Officials, multi-lateral ad bi-lateral donors and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Provide advice to UN/UNDP on governance and public sector reform in general, and on PAR and AC in particular;
Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitate knowledge building on governance and public sector reform in general, and PAR and AC in particular;
Build strategic partnerships and develop joint dialogue initiatives on effective governance at central and local levels;
Advocate and promote UN/UNDP’s mandate and mission.

Provide advice and support to UN/UNDP management/staff, programmes and projects focusing on achievements of the following results:

Systematic monitoring of progress on governance reforms in Viet Nam, identification of data gaps and capacity issues, and development of strategies for the support of public sector reforms at the central and local levels;
Results-based management in governance programming, including the preparation of baselines and indicators for programme and project monitoring and evaluation, as well as reports focused on capturing results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider replication;
Substantive inputs to CCA, One UN Plan, CCPD, and other strategic documents;
Identification of possible areas for UNDP support and adjustment of on-going programmes to ensure that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and priorities;
Quality inputs to sub-regional, regional and inter-agency initiatives related to PAR and AC, as well as to other relevant governance interventions.

Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building focusing on achievement of the following results:

Facilitation of policy dialogue on governance issues with the Government (central and local levels), donors, civil society, private sector, contributions to development of policies as relevant;
Provision of policy options on public sector reform issues to central and local Government levels and development actors;
Effective knowledge sharing on PAR, AC and Local Governance by documenting lessons and good practices form different projects, and developing knowledge-based tools (including policies, strategies, guidelines, etc);
Regular assessments of Viet Nam’s public sector policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity at both central and local levels;
Capacity building of UNDP/UN staff and Government officials through on the job training and regular briefings on relevant new tools and skills related to the policy portfolio.

Participate in the building of strategic partnerships and implementation of joint dialogue initiatives focusing on achievement of the following results:

Well-developed networks with governance practitioners within the UN system, in the wider-donor community, and with key reformers in Government and civil society;
Identifying of strategic opportunities for dialogues on effective governance at central and local levels of the public administration system;
Synergies and partnerships with regional initiatives as well as with other UN agencies, including in the context of the formulation of joint programmes;
Production of periodic updates and briefs on country development situation to be used by stakeholders, UNDP and UNDP HQ;
Undertaking of selected studies on emerging development concerns that feed into government/development partners processes.

Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

Effective advocacy on UN core values and UNDP’s policies on democratic governance in the dialogue with the Government and other stakeholders;
Substantive inputs to UN/UNDP policy notes, statements, publications, articles for important events (e.g. donor forums, international conferences, policy dialogues);
Management of events and publications on governance issues, including report launches in the country, advocacy of the main report findings among relevant Government agencies, civil society organizations and donors.

Impact of Results

The key results of the post incumbent will strengthen UN/UNDP’s contribution to the national policy dialogue and enhance the policy impact of UN/UNDP programme and projects. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design of programmes, and creation of strategic partnerships as well as joint dialogue initiatives. The post incumbent increases visibility of UNDP in the discussion about democratic governance in general and public sector reforms in particular.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience and contribute to UNDP practice areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on governance issues;
In-depth practical knowledge if inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
Ability to work with minimal supervision;
Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development programmes and projects.

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, law, public administration, political science, social sciences or related field.

Experiences:

A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience from development cooperation with an emphasis on support to governance reform;
In-depth understanding of democratic governance issues, with a focus on processes related to public administration reform and anti-corruption (central and local levels), in Asia and/or countries in transition. Previous work experience in Viet Nam is a distinct asset;
Experience from policy-related work, planning and management of development cooperation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and programmes;
Familiarity with UN/UNDP policies and programming practices;
Experience in management of large scale governance surveys is preferable;
Excellent computer skills, including full working knowledge of standard word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software packages. Knowledge of statistical packages (eg STATA, SPSS) is an advantage.

Language:

Excellent oral and written communication skills (English).