Background

Organizational Context

Myanmar

Myanmar has gone through unprecedented changes since the November 2010 general elections and is at an historic stage in its development. The adoption of a new Constitution in 2008 and the launch of a series of far-reaching political, social and economic reforms have heralded a new and more democratic era for the country, and one in which the government and the people of Myanmar aspire to sustainable and inclusive growth.

The first stage of the reform process comprised political reforms which are still on-going and have led to significant changes in the country, and to a rapid scaling up of development assistance. In May 2012, the President launched the second stage of reforms aimed at improving the social and economic wellbeing of the people. The opening of the country is leading to rapid foreign investment and infrastructure development. In December 2012, the President announced the need for attention to the third wave of reforms which are required to improve the performance of the public administration and its civil service, and clarify the division of powers between the Union and the State and Regional Governments.

UNDP

UNDP is working closely with the government of Myanmar as it implements the four waves of reforms announced by President U Thein Sein. UNDP’s Pillar on Democratic Governance works with the parliament, the judiciary, and the executive to strengthen government institutions, and make them more responsive and accountable to the needs of the people. The Pillar has four outputs or projects: a) development effectiveness, b) parliamentary strengthening, c) rule of law and access to justice and d) public administration responsiveness.

The Public Administration Output focuses on the “third wave” of reforms announced by the President, and has relationships with key government institutions including the Office of the President, the General Administration Department in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Union Civil Service Board, as well as international agencies and development partners, such as the European Union, the World Bank, and MDRI.

The Public Administration Output has two areas of focus. Firstly, it promotes innovations in public administration and effective coordination of overall public administration reforms. Secondly, it enhances the capacity of the civil service, including by improving the quality of training provided to civil servants.

Role Description

UNDP Myanmar is looking for a Myanmar national to support the management of activities under the Public Administration output, and provide strategic advice on direction of the programme and relationships with government counterparts.

The work of the position takes place under the Public Administration Output of the Democratic Governance Pillar, under direct supervision from the international Programme Specialist for Public Administration. 

The Programme Analyst will work in a diverse multi-national team of technical experts, and coordination and support staff. The Programme Analyst will work closely with the programmes associates, Chief Technical Advisor and other staff based in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, and will promote coordination and close collaboration with other Outputs of the Democratic Governance Pillar and other relevant Pillars of the Country Programme.

The candidate is expected to have strong analytical/problem – solving/planning skills and contribute insights about the country’s political, economic and social situation. The candidate will be provided with close coaching from the direct supervisor in order facilitate taking up more responsibilities gradually. The working environment is dynamic and open for ideas.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions:

  • Advise on developments in the third wave of reforms, and share analysis;
  • Coordinate programme activities and facilitate programme management;
  • Build capacity of partners and Public Administration Output staff;
  • Build relationships with national and international counterparts;
  • Facilitate learning and exchange of knowledge with all stakeholders and contribute to the development of knowledge products pertaining to Public Administration Reform.

Advise on developments in the third wave of reforms, and share analysis

  • Provide analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation of the third wave of reforms in public administration, and prepare substantive inputs into programme implementation;
  • Advise on national developments and trends through regular monitoring of local media and sustained contacts with counterparts;
  • Contribute ideas about, and inputs into, the strategic direction of the programme.

Coordinate programme activities and facilitate programme management

  • Coordinate programme activities in collaboration with staff and consultants;
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of the workplan for each year, including through procurement and recruitment;
  • Monitor progress of programme activities and recommend corrective actions;
  • Contribute to the identification of risks to, and opportunities for, programme success, as well as operational and financial problems, and propose solutions;
  •  Lead on the preparation of output reporting requirements, in close cooperation with staff;
  • Provide substantive support in the preparation of the regular Output Board Meetings;
  • Coordinate with programme staff of other Outputs under the Democratic Governance Pillar to strengthen linkages between different Outputs;
  • Supervise and provide effective leadership to support staff, as assigned by the supervisor.

Build capacity of partners and Public Administration Output staff

  • Recommend measures to address capacity needs of partners and Public Administration Output project staff;
  • Coordinate government counterparts’ active participation at consultative meetings that are organized as part of programme activities;
  • Supervise national/international consultants in their advisory roles, if requested.

Build relationships with national and international counterparts

  • Establish relevant networks and relations within government institutions who are involved in the third wave reforms at Union level;
  • Gather and share partners’ feedback on the impact and effectiveness of the Public Administration Output;
  • Support organization of relevant coordination meetings on the third wave of reforms;
  • Gather and summarise basic information on government counterparts for preparation of substantive briefs and talking points for meetings.

Facilitation learning and exchange of knowledge with all stakeholders

  • Contribute lessons learned and knowledge to various networks of professionals in the Public Administration work within and outside UNDP;
  • Contribute to the development of knowledge products related to Public Administration.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of the country programme within specific area of public administration. In particular, the results will ensure that UNDP delivers a programme for Public Administration which is relevant for the counterparts and responsive to changes in the country context, and will impact on creation of strategic partnerships in government and linkages within the Pillar 3 team.  

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda;
  • Preparing Information for advocacy;
  • Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.

Results-based Programme Development and Management

Contribute into results through primary research and analysis

  • Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporate best practices into project work;
  • Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
  • Monitor specific stages of projects/programme implementation.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Maintaining a network of contacts

  • Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
  • Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Enhancing processes or products

  • Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.

Promoting Organizational learning and Knowledge Sharing

Basic research and analysis

  • Generate new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.

Job Knowledge/ Technical Expertise

Fundamental Knowledge of own discipline

  • Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical speciality relating to the position;
  • Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
  • Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
  • Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Client Orientation

Establishing effective client relationships

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

Core Competencies:

  • Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
  • Self-development, initiative-taking;
  • Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
  • Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
  • Creating synergies through self-control;
  • Managing conflict;
  • Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
  • Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
  • Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economic, political or social sciences or related field with two years of experience;
  • A Bachelor degree in the same field of expertise, combined with four years of professional experience may also be accepted.

Experience:

  • At   least  2   years   of   relevant   professional   experience at the national or international level;
  • Past experience working in development projects is a must;
  • Experience in working with the government is highly desirable;
  • Experience working with the UN is an advantage;
  • Experience in operational and financial management of development projects is an asset;
  • Experience in Public Administration work is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English and Myanmar, both written and spoken.