UNDP Jobs - 37110- Technical Specialist (Anti-Corruption)

Technical Specialist (Anti-Corruption)

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

17-Jun-2013

Application Deadline :

03-May-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year

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

UNDP’s support for anti-corruption programmes is a key element of the organization’s broader agenda on democratic governance and sustainable development. UNDP seeks to foster inclusive participation, strengthen accountable and responsive governing institutions, and ground governance in international principles, notably gender, human rights and anti-corruption. This approach to democratic governance and the role of anti-corruption therein, is consistent with the current discussions on the strategic plan 2014-2017, and the current UNDP strategic plan for 2008-2013, which focuses on integrated and multi-disclinary approach to achieve the key development outcomes. To support implementation of the strategic plan, UNDP Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) developed the Global Programme on Anti-Corruption for Development Effectiveness (PACDE) coordinated by its Democratic Governance Group (DGG).

Through PACDE, UNDP seeks to assist programme countries to prevent and reduce the prevalence of corruption. During its first phase (2008-2011, the focus of PACDE was on clarifying UNDP’s niche and policies, putting necessary global and regional management architectures in place, building UNDP and partner countries’ capacities through regional training, establishing and strengthening regional networks and service delivery platforms, increasing knowledge and awareness, and enhancing coordination and cooperation with relevant internal and external partners. The main focus of the second phase (2012-2017) is to increase interventions at the country level using the capacity and practice architecture of UNDP Regional Centres, anti-corruption community of practices and expert teams.

UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre (APRC) is leading the work on anti-corruption in the Asia-Pacific Region through its Asia Regional Governance Programme (ARGP) and with support from PACDE. Over the past four years, the programme established a vibrant Anti-Corruption Community of Practice: Asia-Pacific Integrity-in-Action or AP-INTACT. APRC organized several regional meetings with government officials, civil society organisations (CSOs) and UN staff working on anti-corruption. In addition, APRC launched an online network in November 2009, the Asia-Pacific Integrity in Action (AP-INTACT) Network, which has around 300 members and helps members share information and knowledge on relevant anti-corruption issues. Finally APRC, in partnership with the UNDP Pacific Centre and UNODC Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific, developed a regional anti-corruption portal to capture knowledge and experiences on anti-corruption in the region.

Furthermore, APRC focused its anti-corruption work on supporting countries to implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). In 2010, a Regional UNCAC Self-Assessment Consortium was set up by APRC in partnership with UNODC Regional Centres (Bangkok & Delhi). The Consortium strengthened the collaboration with key partners, such as, Basel Institute on Governance of Switzerland and the Institute of Governance Studies of Bangladesh to support countries to self-assess their implementation of the Convention. In partnership with these organizations and GTZ, APRC led the development of a Guidance Note on UNCAC Self-Assessments, which provides policy guidance and practical advice for countries undertaking UNCAC Self-Assessments and has since been adopted globally.

APRC’s anti-corruption programme is also focusing on corruption prevention through sector approaches in the health, education and water sectors, as well as developing national capacity to measure corruption and monitor implementation of national anti-corruption strategies. From 2013 through 2015 the Centre will continue to provide advisory and technical support on (a) good practices in diagnosing and combating corruption in the health, education and water sectors. (b) Working on the Implementation of UNCAC Review Mechanism (c) supporting social accountability which will be supported by a vibrant regional community of practice and network.

In addition to initiatives led from the Regional Centre, APRC supports national anti-corruption initiatives in 13 countries, including in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam and providing support upon request by partner countries.

Moreover, there is an increased request from UNDP country offices and programming countries in the region for policy advice and research and analytical support on the major issues of anti-corruption and governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Specialist will be tasked to lead the regional anti-corruption initiatives for Asia, under the Asia Regional Governance Programme and Global Programme on Anti-Corruption for Development Effectiveness. Under the supervision of the Democratic Governance Practice Team Leader at the UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre and the Global Anti-Corruption Policy Advisor in UNDP DGG/BDP, the incumbent will assume responsibility for the following functions and expected key results:

Contribute to the development and implementation of a multi-year Regional Anti-Corruption Programme to (i) support effective UNCAC implementation at the national level; (ii) promote national measurements of corruption and national implementation of anti-corruption strategies; (iii) promote corruption-free service delivery for the achievement of the MDGs; (iv) limit the adverse effects of corruption on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies; (v) support knowledge exchange on anti-corruption in Asia-Pacific; (vi) develop capacity of anti-corruption agencies (incl. twinning arrangements with anti-corruption training institutes, IT support and institutional development planning).
Provide policy advice and programme support to UNDP Country Offices, UN Country Teams and other national partners in Asia to strengthen anti-corruption initiatives at the national level through south-south knowledge exchange on best practices, use of evidence gathering with external communication, integration of social media, focus on MDG and climate change priorities, inter-agency partnerships and enhanced political economy analysis. This includes providing support to existing and future country anti-corruption projects, as well as support for REDD + participatory governance analysis and MDG Acceleration Frameworks.
Lead regional knowledge codification, analysis, dissemination and application of lessons learned and good practices on effective anti-corruption approaches, including keeping track of emerging and newly produced knowledge materials from global, regional and national organizations working on anti-corruption and assess how these materials can best be used, developed or adapted especially for Asian countries. Specifically, this knowledge management component comprises also: (i) facilitating the Asia-Pacific Integrity in Action Network by sharing information and knowledge on relevant anti-corruption issues through quarterly newsletters, e-discussions, online queries and ad hoc information messages; (ii) integrating the Asia-Pacific Integrity in Action Network with corporate platforms such as Team works; (iii) developing and monitoring content in the Global Anti-Corruption Portal, including experiences, research, news, events and other materials for anti-corruption practitioners, researchers, experts and the general public.
Contribute to enhanced partnership development and resource mobilization for anti-corruption initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region by (i) strengthening existing partnerships, (ii) enhancing communication on anti-corruption initiatives, (iii) supporting delivering as one modalities with other UN agencies, notably UNODC, (iv) seeking opportunities to foster South-South, Sub-Regional, Cross-Regional and Regional cooperation, and (v) exploring and maintaining partnerships with relevant global, regional and national think tanks, donors and research institutes working on anti-corruption. This also includes the development/maintenance of a regional roster of experts on anti-corruption.
Contribute to global policy development on anti-corruption through research and analysis, including through regional knowledge codification, identifying national best practices for wider replication, and providing regional inputs into knowledge products. This also includes sharing knowledge and good practices from the region to other regions and contributing to global anti-corruption events such as the International Anti-Corruption Conferences, the UNCAC Conferences of States Parties, and other global events. This includes serving as a focal point for the Global Programme on Anti-Corruption for Development Effectiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. Participate in the workplanning meeting of PACDE, contribute to synchronizing the regional and global activities, and be responsible for implementing and reporting on the PACDE activities planned for the Asia-Pacific region.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Good working knowledge of UNDP/UN rules, policies and practices;
Good understanding of UNDP programming modalities;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Technical Competencies:

Substantive and technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:

UNCAC Implementation, UNCAC Review and UNCAC Self-Assessment processes;
Mainstreaming anti-corruption in sectors (e.g., health, education, water, climate change, etc.);
Capacity development of Anti-Corruption Agencies;
Facilitating UN knowledge networks of technical experts and practitioners;
Formulating and evaluating anti-corruption initiatives at the country level;
Political Economy Analysis of corruption at the country level;
Experience of providing policy advice (including report writing) at international level;
Experience of inter-agency and partnership processes.

Managerial Competencies:

Ability to establish effective working relations in multi-cultural team environments;
Excellent supervisory, team-working, team-building, diplomatic and international skills;
Resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment.

Behavioural Competencies:

Strong verbal and written communication and advocacy skills;
Ability to work in a complex environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors;
Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiation skills, especially resource management systems
Excellent networking skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in law, economics, political science, sociology or another international development related area.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible, substantive knowledge in democratic governance and development programming experience with a focus on anti-corruption.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

FC: 20019