UNCDF Jobs - 59619- Technical Specialist (Local Governance) UNCDF

Technical Specialist (Local Governance) UNCDF

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Vientiane, LAO PDR

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

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

The National Governance and Public Administration Reform Programme of the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic was formulated for the period 2012-15. The National GPAR Programme was designed to assist the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) to address a comprehensive package of reforms in public administration ranging from: strengthening the institutional and legal environment of public administration and local administration; organizational improvement in government; strengthening MDG-focused service delivery at district level; building capacity for human resource development and training in the civil service; strengthening civil society engagement in governance.

UNDP and UNCDF formulated the Joint Programme titled “Strengthening Capacity and Service Delivery of Local Administrations (GPAR SCSD)”, which contributes significantly to meet the objectives of the National GPAR Programme. The overall objective of the Joint Programme is to ensure increased capacity in the local administration leading to better delivery of services which improve the lives of the poor, especially in rural areas of Lao PDR. The strategy is to build around a series of interrelated outputs that take forward proven results and innovations to realise the overall outcome. Through the establishment of district level Performance Based Block Grants (capital and recurrent) which provide incentives for improved overall performance linked to the local administration mandate, the Joint Programme seeks to improve local MDG-targeted service delivery through increased capacity and long term reform.

The GPAR SCSD Joint Programme is in its final year, and a follow up Programme is being formulated. Preparatory actions are being set in place including significant policy analysis and advocacy on addressing local economic development, leveraging public and private investments.

The International Technical Specialist - Local Governance (ITS - LG) will providestrategic guidance, technical advice and support to the current GPAR SCSD and the new phase in relation to strengthening local governance, with primary responsibilities for providing broad policy and technical advice, at both central and local levels, to improving systems and effective roll out of the block grant supported capacity development for district administrations, introducing local economic development initiatives into local governance interventions of the project and required liaison with donors and support to MoHA, as necessary. The ITS - Local Governance (LG) will also be responsible for providing technical advice and support to the on-going GPAR SCSD programme/ MoHA, the LDCE 2 project in MoNRE and GoL counterparts through the preparation of some relevant lessons/policy papers, workshops and other technical assistance.

The ITS-LG will work closely with the NGPAR team, the LDCF 2 project, UNCDF National Programme Specialist and report to the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor (LDFP) on technical aspects of the programme, while reporting to the Programme Manager for the day-to-day execution and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities with Respect to Programme Policy Support

The International Technical Specialist - Local Governance will advise the government counterparts and the project management on the design and implementation approaches to specific components of the Strengthening Capacity & Service Delivery of Local Administration Programme.

This will include:

Provide coordination advice/support and be a resource-person to the JP GPAR SCSD Programme for developing an evidence-based policy framework for sub-national service delivery, local economic development and local public finance
Prepare policy lessons from the JP GPAR SCSD Programme as input into ongoing policy discussions on local administration and local economic development under the new phase in Lao PDR.

Assist and coordinate with relevant government counterparts on DDF integration into national system and policy support to scale up the lessons learnt from the ground;
Assist the JP GPAR SCSD Programme in identifying areas where external technical assistance will be required, draft ToR, provide guidance, and assist in translating recommendations into action;
Provide other such advice and support as may be required by the National GPAR Programme;
Provide other relevant professional advice and assistance as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities with Respect to Programme Technical Support:

Support to strengthen local governance as specified in Output 1: Support to development of policies and regulatory framework for more effective local administration at province and district level;
Work with the counterparts at national and sub national levels to develop capacity for implementing local governance interventions as specified in Output 2: Improved capacity of local administration to fulfill its service delivery mandates and introduce local economic development in the discussions;
Provide overall technical guidance for roll-out into selected provinces as specified in Output 3: Improved MDG focused service delivery provided through formula base and equity focused block grants to the districts;
Liaise with and report to the National Programme Manager with regards to progress of implementation, emerging issues and problems, and proposing options for their resolution in relation to Output 7: Programme support - oversight, management, coordination and results based monitoring;
Determine need for additional technical assistance and develop ToRs, guide these short term technical advisors, and interpret recommendations into implementation plans for implementation;
Facilitate and contribute to the preparation of annual work plans and monitor the implementation closely in collaboration with the overall National GPAR Programme Secretariat and UNCDF/UNDP;
Review and provide inputs to periodic progress reports and outputs produced to redesign and improve outputs;
Support implementation of M&E mechanisms in collaboration with NGPAR Programme Secretariat;
Assist in the supervision of national project staff and local and international consultants;
Provide other such advice and support as may be required by GoL and UNCDF/UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities with Respect to UNCDF Programme Support to Government:

Advice on UNCDF work in the country, taking into account the UNCDF Core approach, lessons learned and achieved results from the current program and inputs for formulation;
Engage with the government and help to identify government needs and agenda on decentralization and local government, help to disseminate UNCDF approach to local development finance;
Coordinate and provide required technical support to the on-going JP LDCF 2 (LoCAL) in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) to ensure smooth implementation;
Identify main possible partners for the new programme, engage with UNDP and others UN agencies on discussions regarding complementarities and develop potential sources for resources mobilization.

Impact of Results

The desired results by the end of this Joint Programme are improved policies and capacities that enable local administrations to initiate and monitor service delivery interventions against localized priorities which accelerate progress towards the MDGs, and improved capacities of district administrations to finance and implement service infrastructure and delivery that lead to improved access to public services and as well as improvements in human development levels, including key indicators related to women and children. The key results of this position will have impact on the success of local level discretionary performance based block grant systems, local financing initiatives and local economic development, on the future policy direction of fiscal decentralization in Lao PDR as well as associated development outcomes.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.

Functional Competencies:

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Programme;
Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement;
Establishes clear performance goals, standards, & responsibilities; manages them accordingly;
Promotes a learning environment; facilitates the development of individual and team competencies.

Results-Orientation:

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.

Innovation and Judgment:

Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate;
Contributes creative, practical ideas and demonstrates sense of entrepreneurial initiative to deal with challenging situation;
Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
Is motivated & demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development & learning;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside the Programme;
Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors with a view to building relations and facilitating links;
Build strong working relationships, supported by an effective communications strategy, with policymakers, regulators and development partners;
Build strong networks with international regional and national institutions and programmes involved in local governance/development, advocacy and development;
Excellent communication skills (written and oral): Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and constructive relations with Government, UNDP, UNCDF and project staff.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting. Full project cycle mastery, excellent work/project planning skills;
Ability to lead the implementation and monitoring of relevant components of the GPAR SCSD Joint Programme in collaboration with UNDP;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments;
Uses ICT and web-based management systems effectively as a tool and resource;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

Ability to coordinate effectively and demonstrated conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients, partners and external actors;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A post-graduate degree in public administration, public finance or a related subject.

Experience:

At least seven years of practical experience in working on sub-national service delivery issues;
Familiarity with the financing modalities to facilitate better local governance and local economic development;
Awareness and good understanding of political context of Lao PDR and its local administrative system;
A proven track record of leading a team of professionals and of working in a team;
At least seven years of practical experience in working on aspects of local government oversight of service delivery, local government monitoring & evaluation, and other related fields;
Fluent command of spoken and written English;
Good communications and facilitation skills;
Knowledge of Lao language and its culture is an advantage.

Language:

Fluent in English;
Another UN official language is an asset.

The International Technical Specialist - Local Governance is an experienced professional with a demonstrated track record in providing sound technical support and policy advice to projects/ programmes in the area of finance, planning and local economic development. The ITS - Local Governance will have experience in designing funds flow and funding mechanisms with strong familiarity of participatory planning processes and local accountability systems. S/he has extensive experience in advising counterpart agencies of appropriate policies, strategies and systems that can be sustained. S/he has high level interpersonal skills and is able to negotiate with diplomacy and tact. S/he has excellent written English and capacity to provide high quality reports in a professional and timely manner. Therefore s/he is expected to have the above qualificatons.

Note:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a *pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded fromhttp://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx Completion of all the fields is required.

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.