UNDP Jobs - 52164- Chief Technical Advisor

Chief Technical Advisor

Location :

Vientiane, LAO PDR

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2015

Application Deadline :

19-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 Year (Renewable)

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 new National Governance and Public Administration Reform Programme (GPAR) of the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic has been formulated for the period 2011-15. The National GPAR Programme is designed to assist the newly established Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) to address a comprehensive package of reforms in public administration ranging from: strengthening the institutional and legal environment of public administration and local administration; organizational improvement in government; strengthening MDG-focused service delivery at district level; building capacity for human resource development and training in the civil service; strengthening civil society engagement in governance.

UNDP’s support to the National GPAR Programme is primarily channelized through (a) the National GPAR Programme Secretariat Support project and supplemented through (b) a Joint Programme with UNCDF titled “Strengthening Capacity and Service Delivery of Local Administrations (GPAR SCSD)”, (c) the “Civil Society Support Programme”, and (d) Strengthening Legal and Institutional Framework for Effective Public Administration (GPAR SLIFEPA).

The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will provide strategic, advisory and technical support for overall management of the National GPAR Programme and its component projects (four projects mentioned above), covering substantive and administrative matters. The CTA will also be responsible for providing policy and technical advice, as well as implementation support, for specific outputs under the various projects of the National GPAR Programme, and providing support to leverage emerging opportunities to expand and strengthen the Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under overall supervision and guidance of the DRR, and close cooperation with the ARR (Head of Governance), the CTA is responsible for the technical support to the strategic direction of NGPAR Programme, with the following expected results:

Advise the government on the implementation of the NGPAR Programme, and on its linkages with the other major programs related to the Strategic Plan on Governance 2011-20 as well as the National Socio-Economic Development Plan;
Advise and support the government in the development of policy papers and technical-legal documents as required;
Advise the government on methodologies and practices associated with program management and support the National Programme Manager in project and program monitoring, reporting and evaluation;
Participate in and assist with the formulation of the new GPAR and CSO project.

Within the UNDAF Results matrix and the Country Programme Action Plan, the CTA is responsible for day-to-day management of the NGPAR programme:

Support the government in the development and maintenance of programme/project annual and quarterly work-plans, budgeting, resource allocation, workload management, and performance assessment;
Provide general technical inputs and advice in areas of reform activity where capacity gaps otherwise exist in the project team;
Support regular ongoing communication with the National Programme Manager and Project Board Executive, in order to advise on the activity;
Support and be involved in the organizing and facilitating project meetings, workshops etc.

Under the overall guidance and leadership of the DRR, the CTA supports partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP:

Support the government and the UNDP in the functions of donor coordination, coordination of governance-reform related donor funded projects;
Ensure appropriate links with other relevant Government institutions, such as the National Assembly, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign affairs, etc.;
Provide technical support and advice on effective awareness raising activities such as CSO and governance reform activities, addressing government staff and the general public;
Support the mobilization of additional donor funding to the Governance sector.

The CTA ensures knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Assist the government in designing systems for expanding experiences, lessons learned and addressing policy issues throughout the Government system;
Advise the government on identifying and designing projects and initiatives related to governance and public administration reform; and to facilitate the national, regional and international transfer of know-how and experiences in these subject areas;
Provide support as may be required by the Government and the UNDP as is to be expected in a dynamic process of governance reform;
Provide technical support and advice on the development of capacity development programmes for relevant MoHA staff.

The Impact of Key Results:

The results of the work of the Chief Technical Advisor impacts on the standing and reputation of UNDP in the country. The CTA is responsible for daily work of NGPAR Programme, provides recommendations to national counterparts and UNDP in response to changes in the country context and new programme.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Demonstrates integrity by respecting the GoL’s vision, values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Projects a confident leadership style that encourages team spirit and cooperation.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning and results-based management of governance reform plans, as well as the implementation and monitoring of reform roll out;
Conceptual and operational ability to support large scale capacity development;
Able to formulate and manage budgets, across multiple projects and components;
Can design and implement new systems in the government;
Creativity, flexibility and proactiveness in a challenging work environment.

Management and Leadership

Ability to coordinate effectively and demonstrated conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Excellent oral and written English communications skills;
Results oriented, strong team player;
Sound judgment, flexibility and adaptability, cultural sensitivity
Builds strong relationships with clients, partners and external actors;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Displays openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Partnering and Networking:

Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from the region;
Demonstrated networking capabilities in working with government and partners;
Ability to manage and coordinate large scale multi-stakeholder projects and activities.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in the Programme setting and among counterparts;
Ensures that the Programme leadership is well briefed and aware of requirements;
Actively pursues personal learning and facilitates development of colleagues.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Master degree in public administration, management or a related subject.

Experience:

The Chief Technical Advisor is an experienced professional with a demonstrated track record in providing sound policy advice, strategic planning and organizational guidance. S/he has extensive experience in the governance sector understanding the complex inter-related nature of public sector reform, justice and legal sectors, and institutional strengthening. S/he has excellent interpersonal skills and is able to negotiate with diplomacy and tact. S/he has excellent written English and capacity to provide high quality reports in a professional and timely manner. Therefore s/he is expected to have:

At least ten years of solid relevant practical experience in governance and public administration, reform and change management, both regionally and internationally including working on civil society aspects;
Strong understanding of the requirements of effective governance sector reform;
Substantive experience in policy development, workshop facilitation and secretariat functions;
Substantive experience in implementing large scale capacity development interventions, including small grants programmes;
Solid experience in program and project management, monitoring and evaluation including beneficiary driven evaluations;
Familiarity and experience with the Lao program or similar programs in the region and internationally;
Solid experience in process facilitation.

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of the English language, with excellent written and oral communication skills.