Background

Under the guidance of the RR in close collaboration with the DRR, the Programme Specialist acts as the programme manager and advisor to Senior Management on Public Policies and Democratic Governance.  He/she identifies strategic partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities, as well as in the coordination of capacity development, institutional strengthening, management by results and political analysis and strategies. The Programme Specialist leads the group in strategic planning and identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNDAF/CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The Programme Specialist leads the Public Policy and Democratic Governance Team, coordinates the Programme team and works in close coordination and collaboration with Operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

  • Ensures the strategic direction of UNDP programme for Public Policy and Democratic Governance;
  • Manages the Public Policy and Democratic Governance Group and supervises the group members;
  • Leads of the identification of strategic partnerships and  resource mobilization strategies in support of the programme, as well as in the coordination of capacity development, institutional strengthening, management by results and political analysis and strategies;
  • Provides quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitates knowledge building and management;
  • Strong positioning of UNDP in the UN Family.

As a member of the Management Team, ensures the strategic direction of the UNDP programme Public Policy and Democratic Governance, focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP, AWP and other documents;
  • Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation;
  • Identification of key areas for capacity building and institutional strengthening and collaboration with the UNCT for its advocacy and implementation;
  • Operationalization of UNDAF/CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming;
  • Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO;
  • CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Programme Unit.

Manages the Public and Democratic Governance Group and supervises the group members, focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

  • Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results;
  • Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies;
  • Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the  programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.  The Programme Specialist performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval;
  • Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme;
  • Effective follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported;
  • Ensuring aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes and timely preparation of donor reports;
  • Organization of cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with Operations Manager;
  • Promoting synergy and coordination with other UNDP programmes ensuring consistency and focus.

Identifies and promotes strategic partnerships and implementation of resource mobilization strategies under the overall coordination of the RR/DRR, as well as the coordination of capacity development, institutional strengthening, management by results and political analysis and strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Establishment and further development of networks with key national and regional actors in the areas of capacity development and strengthening of institutions, social groups, etc., peace and democratic governance;
  • Identification of key relevant messages to launch high-impact advocacy campaigns in the area of public policy, peace and democratic governance, in close collaboration with all the programme areas and the Communications office;
  • Positioning the voice of the CO and the UN system in substantive public policy debates on peace and democratic governance, capacity building and institutional strengthening issues;
  • Advice to government counterparts, social groups, civil society, etc. on how to reach consensus, manage differences in the approval and implementation of policies on democratic governance;
  • Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
  • Identification of opportunities for innovative and strategic thinking and actions to achieve results that will benefit society as a whole;
  • Information on donors and other relevant development actors and preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation in the area of democratic governance, capacity building and institutional strengthening;
  • Collaboration in the preparation of annual reports, strategic presentations, brochures and other communication material in the areas of governance, capacity development and institutional strengthening;
  • Lead in the implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes.
  • Identification and production of capacity development materials on democratic governance;
  • Advice and guidance on issues related to strengthening institutional capacities;
  • Increased capacity by relevant institutions in the country to identify spaces for democratic governance.

Provides upstream policy advice services to the Government and facilitates knowledge building and management, 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 learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
  • Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
  • Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.

Strongly positions UNDP in the UN family  focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Identification of opportunities for UNDP in its relationship with other UN Agencies;
  • Implementation of CO strategy for partnering with UN Agencies around UNDAF, MDG and other joint programming for implementation of UN Reform.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda:

  • 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:

  • Develops positive ties with civil society to build/strengthen UNDP’s mandate;
  • Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

  • Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
  • Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking.

Resource Mobilization:

  • Promotes and encourages country office action with local missions of donor countries as well as appropriate government authorities for increased contribution to UNDP resources, including cost sharing modalities;
  • Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

  • Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
  • Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

  • Demonstrates in-depth knowledge and understanding of concepts and principles of professional discipline or technical speciality related to the position, as well as ability to apply them toward formulation and implementation of policies and programmes;
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and corporate policies related to programme management.

Results orientation:

  • Show a drive for results while keeping the highest standard and demonstrating excellence;
  • Maximize the use of resources;
  • Identify opportunities to improve systems and performance;
  • Display flexibility to adjust plans and priorities to respond to changing circumstances.

Client orientation:

  • Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
  • Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively;
  • Anticipates constraints in the delivery of programmes and identifies solutions or alternatives;
  • Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services;
  • Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNDP pogrammes.

Core Competencies:

Ethics & Values:

  • Promoting Ethics and Integrity/Creating Organizational Precedents;
  • Creates a culture that fosters the highest sense of integrity by actively promoting UN/UNDP values within the organization and with all stakeholders and holding staff accountable for abuse of power and inappropriate behavior.

Organizational Awareness:

  • Building support and political acumen; 
  • Builds and maintains alliances and networks of partners, colleagues and interest groups inside and outside of the organization to achieve results.

Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring:

  • Building staff competence; 
  • Creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
  • Delegates appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making to staff and respects delegated authority.

Working in Teams:

  • Building and promoting effective teams;
  • Recognizes opportunities to meet organizational priorities through team work, inspires and motivates staff to achieve them collectively encouraging them to think and act co-operatively, openly and honestly.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

  • Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication; 
  • Creates an environment for open communication and encourages others to be diplomatic and use tact and sensitivity in dealing with colleagues and partners.

Self Management & Emotional Intelligence:

  • Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
  • Demonstrates a genuine passion for the work, and leverages political forces and tacit knowledge to support the achievement of organizational goals and priorities.

Conflict Management/Negotiating & Resolving Disagreements:

  • Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards; 
  • Acts as a role model for positive handling of potentially situations of conflict to others inside and outside the organization.

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

  • Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning; 
  • Promotes knowledge sharing and management practices within his/her area of responsibility.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision-making:

  • Fair and transparent  decision making;
  • Calculated risk-taking;
  • Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Political Sciences, Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences or related field; Strong background in democratic governance desirable.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing advisory services, policy development, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems, ERP-PeopleSoft desirable.

Language:

  • Fluency in English and Spanish, both oral and written, is required;
  • Working knowledge of other UN official language or other language at the duty station is an asset.

Application procedure: 

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Note:

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.