UNDP Jobs - 53959- Governance Specialist

Governance Specialist

Location :

Suva, FIJI

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

01-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Renewable subject to perfomance and funding

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

Under the guidance of the Resident Coordinator and Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP MCO Fiji and under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) Programme, the Governance Specialist manages a UNDP project in the area of Governance. The Policy Specialist works closely with national counterparts to conduct research, identify policy options and to enhance the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes. He/she contributes to UNDP’s policy dialogue with the Government, civil society, academia and other national partners, media and donors and facilitates knowledge building and sharing.

The Governance Specialist is located in the Governance Unit of UNDP MCO Fiji and works together with a team of other Progamme Analysts and Programme Assistants. The Specialist maintains a network with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, IFIs, Government and justice sector officials, lawyers, research institutions and universities, civil society, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage a UNDP Governance project focusing on achievement of the following results:

Effective management of a project on governance in Fiji (and other countries in MCO territory, as required), identification of data gaps and capacity issues, and development of strategies for the support to governance;
Identification of possible new 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 governance.

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, Parliament, other state bodies, universities/research institutions, lawyers, donors, civil society, private sector; contributions to development of policies as relevant;
Acting as expert resource person and provision of international experiences, UN normative standards and policy options on governance issues to Government, other state bodies and development actors;
Commissioning research, surveys and other knowledge products to support evidence-based policy dialogue, debates and advocacy;
Support access to justice and legal empowerment of the poor and disadvantaged/marginalized communities through supporting research, awareness-raising, legal aid, and rights-based education programmes including clinical legal education;
Support capacity development of civil society to conduct policy research, grassroots consultations and policy advocacy to Government, Parliament and other stakeholders;
Effective knowledge sharing on governance by documenting lessons and good practices from UN norms and standards, academic literature, different projects, and developing knowledge-based tools (including policies, strategies, guidelines, etc);
Regular assessments of Fiji’s governance policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity, etc;
Capacity building of UNDP/UN staff, Government and Parliamentary officials and other national counterparts through on the job training and regular briefings on relevant new tools and skills related to governance.

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

Mobilise resources for the full scale phase of Fiji governance programme and other programmes in the sub-region;
Well-developed networks with governance practitioners within the UN System, in the wider donor community, and with key personnel government, academia, the legal profession and civil society;
Identifying of strategic opportunities for dialogue on RoL, local governance,e civil society and A2J;
Synergies and partnerships with regional initiatives as well as with other UN agencies, including advising and acting as expert resource to governancerelated initiatives undertaken by other UN agencies, coordination of UN-wide policy advocacy and dialogue related to governance and in the context of the formulation of joint programmes;
Substantive inputs to UNDAF, Integrated Work Plan, project outlines and other strategic documents;
Convening meetings among development partners on topics related to governance;
Production of periodic updates and briefs on governance, legal and judicial reform and country development situation to be used by development partners, 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, Parliament, civil society, media and other stakeholders;
Substantive inputs to UN/UNDP policy notes, statements, publications, press articles, etc.;
Management of events and publications on governance issues related to governance and civil society, including report launches in the country, advocacy of the main reports findings among relevant Government agencies, civil society organization and donors.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UN & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies;
Creates effective advocacy strategies;
Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Identifying and building partnerships;
Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UN’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts;
Promotes UN system-wide coherence in inter-agency meetings.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Developing tools and mechanisms;
Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter;
Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Creating Visibility for UN/Supporting UN Capacity to Advocate

Developing promotional projects and organizational messages;
Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information identifying areas requiring higher visibility;
Develops messages for use by UN staff when working with partners, internationally and nationally
Reviews documents and materials intended for use within and outside the organization in order to ensure consistency and validity of messages.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UN Goals

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies;
Creates effective global advocacy messages/strategies;
Contributes to the elaboration of a global advocacy strategy by identifying and prioritizing audiences and messages.

Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise

Developing innovative and creative approaches;
Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better and more innovative outcomes.

Client Orientation

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client;
Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience from development cooperation with an emphasis on project management;
In-depth understanding of democratic governance issues, including a strong background in local governance, access to justice and/or human rights, in Asia-Pacific region and/or countries in transition. Previous work experience in Fiji or other Pacific countries is a distinct asset;
Extensive experience from policy-related work, planning and management of development projects;
Knowledge of donor practices and modalities. Familiarity with UNDP policies and programming practices;
Excellent computer skills, including full working knowledge of standard word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software packages.

Language:

Fluent in English.