UNDP Jobs - 19347- Consultant: Capacity Building Consultants (2)

Consultant: Capacity Building Consultants (2)

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Oct-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

2 Weeks

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 Weeks

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

Democratic governance is a concept that emerged from the principles that are based on the understanding that an effective system of democratic governance is one which is based on representative, equitable (across gender and other categories), transparent, accountable and inclusive institutions; a vibrant, responsible and capable media; and a dynamic civil society which is engaged in the political process. The overall goal of the Democratic Governance for Development Project in Nigeria is to help develop the capacity of national and sub-national institutions, networks and processes, whether governmental or non-governmental, as a contribution to the further entrenchment of democratic governance in Nigeria. Efforts on the electoral cycle reinforce national efforts to build the norms, practices, mechanisms and institutions that can foster active citizenship and stronger democratic accountability, in keeping with the stated objectives of Government policy. The project provides technical assistance to the Electoral Institute of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). In addition, the project works with civil society and other democratic institutions like media, political parties and national and state parliaments to help them maximize public participation and confidence in the outcome of elections.

Work on broader issues of democratic governance helps build the norms, practices and institutions that can underpin the development of democratic governance in Nigeria over the medium- to long-term whilst also supporting near-term action on pressing issues such as constitutional and electoral reform. The project primarily provides technical assistance and financing for capacity development linked to practical outcomes in a number of areas: legislature, civil society, media, gender equality in politics and the engagement of youth.

Nigeria’s next general elections are due in 2011. Civil society has a key role in ensuring that citizens participate in the electoral process and that its outcomes are credible and acceptable to the generality of the populace. This strategy outlines the opportunities for qualified civil society organizations to access support for such activities.

The support is made available through a joint donor fund established to provide assistance to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organizations working on the 2011 elections. Contributors to this fund are the European Commission, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). A Project Management Unit (PMU) runs the project under the leadership of the UNDP.

The National Assembly (NASS) was identified as one of the key governance structures in the country. The importance of the NASS’s oversight function on the executive need not be overemphasized. Notwithstanding the NASS’s constitutional mandate as a central institution in a functioning democracy, a range of historical and structural factors have kept the institution weak. Despite a number of shortcomings, the NASS remains the most representative of Nigeria’s national governing institutions in terms of the political and geographic diversity of its membership, the access that it provides to citizen groups, and in the range of opinions expressed within.

NASS’s institutional weaknesses have serious consequences such as inadequate representation of a needy and diverse populace; faulty laws; and poor policy implementation by the executive. While dominant executives have traditionally marginalized the legislature, the return to civilian rule has seen a period of greater legislative assertiveness. This legislative assertiveness has, however, not been supported by a corresponding increase in NASS’s capacity to function as a governing partner alongside the Executive arm of government.

The programme of assistance envisaged from the DGD Project will build on these trends to support NASS to become more efficient and effective in fulfilling its constitutional mandate to represent, legislate and oversee the execution of laws. During this electoral period, the DGD Project seeks to strengthen NASS’s oversight functions on INEC, through its relevant committees- The Senate Committee on INEC and the House Committee on Electoral Matters. The DGD Project is planning to support the conduct of a stakeholders’ workshop to help the NASS obtain the public opinion on the country’s electoral preparedness and develop a focused approach on its oversight function of INEC’s implementation of the electoral process. The Project is therefore seeking the services of well qualified and experienced national consultant to implement the NASS capacity building initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures Planning and Implementation focusing on achievement of the following objectives:

To review and discuss NASS oversight functions in respect of the 2011 electoral process
To design and deliver a stakeholders’ consultative workshop with the National Assembly.
To maximize legislators’ command of key electoral issues with respect to the new laws as amended by the National Assembly and promote INEC’s adherence of the same during the implementation of the electoral process.
To prepare a report on information and outputs from the review, discussions and workshop for input to the design of future support to the National Assembly.
Ensures conduct of a workshop focusing on achievement of the following results:
Well informed Senate Committee on INEC and House Committee on Electoral matters
A detailed plan for NASS’s active engagement with INEC during the process leading to the 2011 elections
Detailed recommendations on future interventions by the DGD Project.

Impact of Results

Objective of the DGD Project on Support to the National Assembly:

To strengthen the NASS Committee on INEC oversight functions to enable INEC perform more effectively and on the basis of democratic values and practices during the electoral process.

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:

A lead facilitator who has knowledge of the National Assembly and an expert with experience in report writing of political analysis of meetings and workshops with a clear understanding of the role of CSOs intervention in the conduct of free, peaceful and credible elections.

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Ability to share knowledge and experience, good interpersonal skill, a good team player, possess leadership and self-management.
Competent in leading project monitoring and evaluation control and ensuring all parties are well informed regarding project financial status and achievement.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude, always in control even under pressure.
Builds strong relationship with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approach work with energy and positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in project reporting, monitoring, evaluation and audit
Strong project management skill with experience in results-based management and results-oriented approach.
Excellent written communication and skills in English, with analytical capacity and ability to synthesize project issues and compile high quality financial and narrative documents.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in project financial and narrative report reviews and provision of feed back as necessary to respective national project coordinators.
Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data
Ability to coordinate the works of others
Ability to implement new systems ( business side), and affect staff behavioral / attitudinal change

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Political Science, Public Administration or related Social Studies

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years experience at the national or international level in providing financial services and managing staff and accounting systems.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in development projects and project reporting, monitoring and evaluation
Familiarity of UN systems and/or the UNDP system, rules, procedures, reporting, monitoring and evaluation is not a requirement but will be an advantage
Experience in working with government agencies (central and local), civil society organizations and international organizations are an asset.