UNDP Jobs - 52492- Programme Manager- Governance

Programme Manager- Governance - (Open to South African Nationals Only)

Location :

Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2015

Application Deadline :

24-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial 12 months

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

Since 1994, South Africa has developed policies and programmes to strengthen its institutional capacity to deliver services and enhance good governance. Irrespective of the laudable progress to date, the country still faces inadequate and uneven institutional capacity and inadequate service delivery. In support of the Government’s efforts to address these challenges, UNDP has strategically positioned itself as a valuable partner in the area of governance in South Africa. This development calls for a high level of expertise and competencies to provide quality technical and policy advisory services to the Government, development partners, civil society organisations and other national actors. UNDP South Africa seeks to provide institutional capacity development support to the Government of South Africa in order to strengthen the country’s democratization process and oversight and enhance South Africa’s governance objective of building a better Africa and a better world within the principles of South-South cooperation. UNDP South Africa governance programme is therefore fully aligned with the National Development Plan: Vision 2030, which is committed to building a capable state.

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of Development Solutions Team, and the overall guidance of the Country Director, the Programme Manager will be responsible for programme development and implementation, management, capacity development, advocacy and dialogue on issues of democratic governance, service delivery, knowledge exchange, partnership building, and strengthening of oversight of legislative and parliamentary bodies. He/she is expected to provide policy and technical advisory services to the Government, United Nations Country Team (UNCT), relevant development partners, civil society organisations and other national actors.

The Programme Manager is also expected to provide advice to the Senior Management of the Country Office on governance issues, and work in close collaboration with UNDP Headquarters and UNDP Regional Service Centre staff to ensure successful programme management of the governance programme of the Country Office.

The Programme Manager will also work in close collaboration with the Programme Support Team (PST) and the Operations Team to ensure that programmatic tasks and activities are aligned with the UNDP's vision and goals in South Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensuring the implementation of UNDP corporate and UNDP South Africa strategies on strengthening service delivery and democratic governance in South Africa, by focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thorough analysis and research of the political, social, and economic situations in the country with a particular focus on areas that have impacts on service delivery and democratic governance?
Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned based on the above analysis as well as UNDP’s corporate priorities and comparative advantage;
Identification of sources of information related to good practices on service delivery and democratic governance, with particular focus on citizen participation and accountability.

Ensuring effective management of the governance programme areas of UNDP South Africa Country Office within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

Design and formulation of Country Office programme within the areas of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones;
Facilitate service delivery and democratic governance capacity development programmes/projects, review and adjust project documents according to agreed-upon governmental priorities and available resources;
Initiation of projects, preparation and finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review;
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of governance projects, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions in close coordination with the PST;
Act as a focal point for periodic programme/projects’ reviews including but not limited to Integrated Workplan Monitoring (IWP), mid-term and annual review and result-oriented annual review (ROAR) in close coordination with the PST;
Evaluation of the programme impact. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio in close coordination with the PST;
Regular field monitoring visits, reporting back on findings and recommendations, follow-up to ensure timely implementation of the recommendations to build the capacity of the implementing partners.

Developing strategic partnerships for the governance programme areas of UNDP South Africa Country Office focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral development partners, private sector, and civil society organisations in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization;
Preparation of briefing notes, statements and speeches for Senior Management related to programmes under portfolio;
Maintenance of project briefs and activity information for bilateral donors, academia, private sector and other UNDP field offices to support UNDP’s public awareness activities.

Providing top quality policy/technical advisory services internally and externally to Governmental and non-governmental partners, including development partners and civil society groups, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme policy goals;
Strengthening partnerships with donors and effective implementation of strategies;
Represent UNDP at various technical fora related to service delivery and democratic governance such as UNCT Inter-agency technical working groups, and donor technical working groups.

Facilitating knowledge building and exchange focusing on achievement of the following results:

Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice in the areas of service delivery and democratic governance;
Systematic recording of best practices and lessons learnt in the areas assigned;
Coordination of internal and external reviews and evaluations;
Organization and facilitation of training for other staff in the areas of service delivery and democratic governance;
Initiate and lead UNCT interagency working group on governance to ensure effective implementation of the governance component of the UN-Government of South Africa Strategic Cooperation Framework (SCF).

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
In-depth knowledge of development issues;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
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;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Governance, Political Sciences, Development Studies or other related fields.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years professional experience in programme or project management support in development work;
Of which, at least 3 years of experience of working and living in South Africa;
Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Governance related experience and service delivery;
Good knowledge, understanding and experience in community level participatory planning tools and programmes;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English;
Knowledge of at least one South African local language is desirable.