Background
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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. Phase 1 of DGD, which commenced in 2010 and ended in May 2011, addressed specific interventions that sought to improve the conduct of the 2011 general elections. During this phase, the project’s specific objectives were pursued through 6 distinct and inter-related programme components: Strengthening of the National Assembly; Strengthening of Political Parties; Improvement of the Electoral Process; Increased Capacity and Performance of Civil Society; Reinforcing the role of the Media; and Empowerment of Women. Based on lessons learnt and recommendations of the Project’s Strategic Review which was conducted between November 2011 and January 2012, the project document has been substantively revised to provide a clear understanding of the scope of the project, redefine the strategy, re-prioritize intervention areas, and provide more targeted assistance in order to ensure that the project produces the intended results within the constraints of time and funds.
Phase II of the project refocuses the DGD project and redefines its goals ‘to strengthen the democratic character of Nigerian political processes and outcomes.’ Similarly, to ensure a more focused and streamlined intervention targeted at specific key results areas where there would be no duplication of efforts, especially with other donors within and outside the Joint Donor Basket Fund (JDBF), the DGD Phase II has 4 major components namely: 1) Promoting Credible, Transparent and Sustainable Electoral Processes; 2) Improving the Democratic Quality of Political Engagement; 3) Enhancing Participation by Women, Youth and other marginalized groups and 4) Strengthening Channels of Civic Engagement. The contributors to the project are the European Commission, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). A Project Management Unit (PMU) runs the project under the leadership of the UNDP.
The Programme Associate applies established systems and assists in organizing programme activities in line with the DGD workplan. He/she is instrumental in facilitating programme/project implementation using and developing appropriate mechanism and systems and ensuring compliance with established procedures. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations staff in the PMU to resolve programme related issues.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Summary of key functions:
- Support the program team in organizing and implementing democratic governance activities;
- Closely monitor DGD contracts/grants/LOAs and other partnerships awarded to CSO and other organisations;
- Ensure support to the DGD Contract Monitoring Team focusing on achievement of the following results;
- Perform any other duties assigned by the Project Director
Function / Expected Results
Support the program team in organizing and implementing democratic governance activities
- Make preparations for Technical Working Group meetings including sending notifications, taking minutes and making venue arrangements;
- Prepare DSA and transport schedules for reimbursement to workshop participants and liaise with SCB to ensure payment is made according to the approved schedule;
- Serve as focal point for DGD workshops to ensure all logistics arrangements are made ahead of the meetings;
- Prepare and distribute minutes or other communication to members of TWGs;
- Maintain DGD partner and stakeholder database in consultation with DGD programme staff;
Closely monitor and support the execution of DGD contracts/grants/LOAs and other partnerships awarded to CSO and other organisations
- Support orientation process with CSO partners at start of their projects – orientation meetings, ensure all monitoring tools and other start up procedures are followed;
- Conduct monitoring missions to review partner activities, prepare comprehensive monitoring reports tracking emerging results, challenges and support pillar heads in developing and following up with suitable mitigating strategies to address emerging issues;
- Support programme team in ensuring partners are on track with financial and narrative reporting
Ensure support to the DGD Contract Monitoring Team focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Liaise with the Service Centre (SC) at the UNDP Country Office in obtaining the copies of new signed contracts
- Liaise with the CSOs to ensure the vendor form is properly completed and submitted to UNDP
- Follow up with SC for vendor creation in ATLAS (UNDP accounting system)
- Maintain and update on a timely basis the contract tracking sheet and filing system of contracts both in hard-copies and electronic files (share-point)
Results/Expected Output:
- Program implementation takes place in a timely way
- Programme implementation is properly monitored in a transparent and accountable way, in line with UNDP policies and procedures.
- The key results impact positively on the overall efficiency of the DGD project including improved business results and client services. Accurate representation and linkages provided with the individual in line with the information and a client-oriented approach enhances UNDP’s capability to effectively and efficiently manage programme and projects
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Competencies
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Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the shared vision, mission and strategic goals of the partners supporting the initiative;
- Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Comfortable with full range of sub-sectors within the project, although possibly more knowledgeable and experienced in some areas. S/he should have a strong grasp of the strategic, policy and nuts-and-bolts issues involved in project implementation in the area of democratic governance;
- Ability to appreciate and respond productively to the challenges faced in leading a high-risk initiative in a politically challenging environment. Ability to maintain calm and poise in high pressure and sometimes provocative situations as well as apply skills in mediation and consensus-building.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- Secondary education. Certification in administration desirable. University Degree Development, Communications, Gender Studies, Political Science, Law, International Relations or related field in the social sciences desirable, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
- A minimum of 6 years working experience with NGOs, UN agencies or donor organizations;
- Previous experience providing support to programme activities including organizing workshops and seminars;
- Experience working on democratic governance related projects or programmes will be an added advantage;
- Proficiency in using MS Word, Excel, and Power Point is required;
- Fluency in spoken English is required
- Demonstrable writing skills
Language Requirements:
- Excellent spoken English is also required.
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