UNDP Jobs - 49293- Re-advertisement - National Officer

Re-advertisement - National Officer - Public Administration - (Open to Myanmar Nationals Only)

Location :

Nay Pyi Taw, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

Organizational Context

UNDP is working closely with the government of Myanmar as it implements the four waves of reforms announced by President U Thein Sein. UNDP’s Pillar on Democratic Governance works with the parliament, the judiciary, and the executive to strengthen government institutions, and make them more responsive and accountable to the needs of the people.

The Pillar has four outputs or projects:

Development effectiveness;
Parliamentary strengthening;
Rule of law and access to justice; and
Public administration responsiveness.

The Public Administration output focuses on the ‘third wave’ of reforms announced by the President, and has relationships with key government institutions including the Office of the President, the General Administration Department in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Union Civil Service Board, as well as international agencies and development partners, such as the European Union, the World Bank, and MDRI.

The Public Administration Output has two areas of focus. Firstly, it promotes innovations in public administration and effective coordination of overall public administration reforms. Secondly, it enhances the capacity of the civil service, including by improving the quality of training provided to civil servants.

This role relates to the first area of focus, where in collaboration with the EU, UNDP is supporting different government agencies to coordinate with each other as they pursue their own reform efforts. This will help ensure that agencies can share lessons and good practices, that efforts do not contradict each other or overlap, and that all Ministries can respond effectively to the President’s drive to reform; UNDP may also support these Ministries to come to an overall vision for how reforms should progress in future.

As part of this, UNDP is also proposing and designing specific activities that the government can undertake which will improve understanding of and enthusiasm for reform efforts and ensure that the benefits of reforms can be demonstrated to the people of Myanmar. These could include reviewing the structures of institutions and the way different government functions are carried out in institutions, or improving how the government communicates about its reforms.

The objective behind this work is: ‘capacities developed at the Union level to advance, coordinate and implement incremental public administration reforms’, and is ‘Sub-Output 1’ of the Public Administration Output.

Role Description

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) – Public Administration, who is a subject matter expert based in the Office of the President, the National Officer will provide strategic coordination and implementation support for activities under Sub-Output 1. The National Officer will analyze political, social and economic trends and be involved in the formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within Sub-Output 1, and will provide advice services to the Chief Technical Advisor and programme team.

The National Officer will be based in Nay Pyi Taw, to work closely with the Chief Technical Advisor in support of work with the Office of the President, General Administration Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Union Civil Service Board. The emphasis of the assignment will be on building relationships and capacity of national counterparts with regards to public administration reforms, and on the provision of sound context-based advice to the programme team in support of project implementation. He/ She will also be responsible for assisting the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) in the preparation of work plans in conjunction with national counterparts, to coordinate reporting against these work plans, and liaising with all counterparts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensures implementation of programme strategies for Sub-Output 1;
Ensures effective management of the CO programme for public administration Sub-Output 1;
Promote the coordination of public administration reforms;
Ensures creation of strategic partnerships with government and development partners.

Ensures implementation of programme strategies for public administration Sub-Output 1 focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide analysis of the political, social and economic situation of public administration and preparation of substantive inputs into programme implementation;
Liaise with the Office of the President and the General Administration Department on development of research materials, options for policy analysis and other technical materials;
Promote coordination of UNDP national counterparts in public administration, sharing information, maintaining networks and providing advice;
Provide advice on the Myanmar context to the Chief Technical Advisor and the programme team;
Coordinate with UNDP Pillar 1 Local Governance Team in supporting public administrative reforms as they relate to decentralization and local governance.

Ensures effective management of the CO programme for public administration Sub-Output 1, with a focus on the following results:

Support the CTA on the organisation of events such as training (curricula, courses, schedules), study tours, conferences and workshops;
Facilitate workshops, seminars and trainings as necessary;
Support the planning and management of project activities, and report on project results and outcomes;
Support implementation of relevant project activities for successful realization of the PAR initiative activities;
Input/support other PAR interventions or other programme activities as requested by the PAR Programme Specialist;
Maintaining a proper filing system related to the project activities in the relevant government entities;
Provide support to any other activity of Pillar 3 (Democratic Governance programme), if required;
Preparation of regular progress reports to be submitted to the CTA, component coordinator and pillar team leader;
Any other tasks as assigned by the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA).

Promote the coordination of public administration reforms:

Provide substantive support to the Secretariat for Public Administration Reform, under guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor;
Coordinate with junior secretariat support staff to ensure transfer of skills;
Formulate and/or collect from PARP SWG's members, recommendations on specific policy, strategic or technical issues to be discussed at the PARP SWG;
Participation in the regular meetings of PAR – SWG (together with CTA – PAR) and following up on the implementation of decisions taken;
Facilitate the implementation of pilot reform activities in conjunction with the Chief Technical Advisor.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships with government and development partners:

Establish relevant PAR networks and excellent relations with all international and national partners working in PAR and Governance areas at state level;
Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society on public administration reforms;
Analysis and research of information on government counterparts, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, and identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of country programme within specific areas of public administration. In particular, the results will ensure that UNDP delivers a programme for Public Administration which is relevant for the counterparts and responsive to changes in the country context, and will impact on creation of strategic partnerships in government.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly and without favoritism;
Shows strong corporate commitment.

Functional Competencies

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Maintains and establishes network of contacts with national counterparts for information sharing and responding to capacity development request;
Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda- preparing information for policy input:

Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.

Client Orientation -Establishing effective client relationships:

Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback, timely responses to queries;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Demonstrates strong administrative skills and results oriented approach to work.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to engage with high ranking UNDP Managers, Government Officials and international donor community and provide policy advisory support services;
Ability to identify opportunities, conceptualize and develop project reports;
Ability to analyze situations and act accordingly;
Ability to effectively support in strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Display understanding of the relevant contemporary ICT tools and continuously act towards personal capacity building;
Excellent communication skills (written and oral): sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff and project staff.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master Degree, preferably Public Administration or International Development or a related field.

Experience:

At least 2 years of professional experience in international development, international business, or public sector governance;
Knowledge of issues relating to good governance and the public sector is an advantage;
Experience facilitating and interpreting at meetings or trainings in Myanmar and English;
Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills including oral and written communication.

Language:

Fluency in Myanmar and English (both written and spoken).