Background
Following the declaration of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) on 9 July 2011, South Sudan has embarked on a process of state-building that seeks capacity development in all areas of governance, and the delivery of peace dividends and development results. Among the areas of priority are the creation of a permanent Constitution and anticipated National Elections in 2015.The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS) Part 16, Chapter 2, mandates the government to replace the TCRSS with a permanent Constitution. In keeping with this mandate, Presidential Decree (No 2/2012) was issued on 9 January 2012 providing for the establishment of the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC). The NCRC has fifty-five (55) members, with nine (9) serving as full-time members. The NCRC has overall responsibility of the constitutional process. The decree which was signed by H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, stated in part, that the Commission’s Secretariat, ‘…may seek technical support from international partner organizations such as IDLO, PILPG, UNMISS or any other organization as necessary.’ Sec.14/7.
On 18 July 2012, the Principals Consultative Forum (PCF), chaired by UNMISS, resolved to establish a Constitutional Review Basket Fund to pool resources in support of the South Sudan constitutional review process. The PCF further mandated the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to manage the basket fund and establish a project secretariat. Subsequently, UNDP entered into individual cost-sharing agreements with development partners committed to providing financial support to the basket fund.
A key challenge, for the NCRC and other stakeholders, is the lack of access to, and limited understanding of, the TCRSS by citizens of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS). There is need for a credible national dialogue and stakeholder engagement process to ensure broad-based participation of South Sudanese in the constitutional review process through consultations at the national, state and county levels, including the participation of civil society groups, religious groups, among others. In the current austerity context, there are limited RSS resources available to implement the constitutional review process, conduct a public education program, undertake consultations at the national, state and county level, and to sustain operations as well as to establish the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).
The National Elections Commission (NEC) was established on 1 August 2012 as the electoral authority in the Republic of South Sudan. The National Elections Act, 2012 further describes the NEC as independent, autonomous and neutral with the authority to regulate, conduct and supervise electoral events, to establish boundary delimitation, to organize voter registration and to deliver civic education, among other duties.
Similar to the NCRC, the National Elections Commission faces challenges in stakeholder engagement and public consultations. UNDP South Sudan envisions providing support to strengthen the NEC’s public outreach and stakeholder engagement as well as supporting the development of an integrated UN electoral team and the establishment of an Electoral Assistance Basket Fund.
Since 2007, UNDP South Sudan has provided support to enhance the institutional, human and infrastructure capacity of the government institutions in South Sudan working to promote democracy and participation. In addition, UNDP has considerable experience in the management of basket funds, most recently for the electoral and referendum processes during the Comprehensive Peace Agreement period.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Portfolio Manager will be responsible for day-to-day program management, supervision and project team leadership of staff, experts, international and national consultants. The Portfolio Manager ensures that all activities are implemented in close cooperation with UNDP Programme and Operation Units. The Portfolio Manager will also maintain a network of colleagues from UNDP, UNMISS, UN Agencies, INGOs, NCRC, relevant government agencies, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society. The Portfolio Manager will report to the Team Leader of the Democratic Governance and Stabilization Unit for programme direction, harmonization, linkages and coordination; and work closely with relevant staff.Summary of Key Functions:
- Ensure strategic management of program and provide day-to-day financial and administrative support for the delivery of the Program’s activities;
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the strategic positioning of UNDP in the constitutional review process including the Office of the President, NCRC, NEC, UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Development counterparts on the constitutional review process and elections;
- Support resource mobilization, financial accountability and human resources management;
- Efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
- Achievement of program outputs through direction and implementation guidance to program teams and responsible parties;
- Ensure overall positive direction and integrity of the program through close coordination with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and consultation with management, project oversight mechanisms;
- Operational coordination through support to existing coordination mechanisms, propose modifications of the plan to respond to changes in South Sudan’s political and security situation, develop MOUs and contribute to tasks, roles and work plans;
- Support the project executive board oversight through preparation of the project Annual Work Plan (AWP), drafting of the program financial and narrative reports and submission to the DGS Unit for quality assurance and dissemination;
- Establishment of suitable monitoring mechanisms;
- Undertake regular monitoring and reporting on program progress and constraints; updates the implementation plan as required;
- Collect, maintain and update key programme data to strengthen programme reporting and accountability;
- Plan and coordinate the deployment of teams and the implementation of program activities;
- Ensure regular reporting to the Country Office management team to ensure oversight of emerging program issues.
- Support the overall coordination of partners and the strategic position UNDP in the constitutional review process;
- Support the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the national dialogue and civic education program to facilitate dialogue on programme results in the constitutional review process;
- Support consultative processes amongst the key counterparts through the provision of timely and relevant programme narrative and financial reports;
- Ensure effective collaboration with the UN Mission in South Sudan to support coherent United Nations support to the constitutional review and electoral processes.
- Support resource mobilization and accountability through effective programme results reporting and joint monitoring visits;
- Effective application of UNDP financial oversight through the Atlas enterprise management system, including processing purchase orders, requisitions and payments;
- Provision of effective services to counterparts including procurement, efficient logistics and sound financial management in line with UNDP Rules and Regulations;
- Draft terms of reference and support recruitment and management of a team of national and international consultants and subject matter experts;
- Manage Program Administration and Finance staff to ensure efficient and transparent use of project resources in line with approved budgets and within UNDP rules and regulations;
- Performance management of the programme team in line with the UNDP Rules and Regulations.
- Assists in promoting coordination, dialogue, and good practice among different stakeholders;
- Promotes networking and knowledge sharing within UNDP and the UN system.
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.
Knowledge Management and Learning:
- Contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
- Builds knowledge in at least one practice areas, and shares;
- Ability to provide quality policy advice services on related issues;
- In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
- Substantive knowledge of democratic governance processes, including constitutional making/review and elections.
- Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation;
- Ability to negotiate with donors and internal units; ability to identify and analyses trends, opportunities and threats to fund-raising;
- Proven track record in program management of a similar size and of a similar nature, in a post conflict environment;
- Excellent drafting and presentation skills;
- Ability to plan and organize work programme;
- Ability to work with minimum supervision.
- Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
- Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
- Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
- Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
- Substantial previous experience in working with senior government officials, donor representatives and civil society on policy and strategic issues;
- Demonstrated strong management, coordination and facilitation skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- Masters degree in Law, Political Science, Public Policy and Management, International Relations or relevant Social Science field.
- A minimum 7 years of work experience with a multilateral international organization, I/NGOs, civil society organizations, academic institutions in democracy and participation field;
- A minimum of 5 years of demonstrable experience in project development, management and implementation preferably in the areas of democratic governance including, constitutional and/or electoral support, rule of law and conflict resolution;
- Demonstrated capacity in project financial management including preparation of budgets, annual work plans and financial reporting is required;
- Demonstrated experience in managing development projects dealing with aid coordination, aid effectiveness, political process strengthening and broader development and conflict issues;
- Proven experience of effective partnership development with national counterparts, development partners and civil society is required;
- Relevant technical experience in constitutional development, electoral processes, and working with civil society organizations is an asset;
- Work experience in the sub-region is will be an advantage;
- Proficiency in standard software applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc. is required.
- Excellent written and verbal English language skills.