• To apply for the vacancy kindly upload your CV or a filled in UNDP PERSONAL HISTORY FORM ;
• This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Belarus are eligible to apply;
• The information about the Service Contract modality  can be found at: TYPES OF UNDP CONTRACTS AND THEIR CONDITIONS, OFFERED BY THE UNDP OFFICE IN BELARUS

Organizational setting and project background:

In its National Sustainable Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2030 adopted in February 2015, the Government of Belarus prioritizes ensuring transparency and openness of the public administration and the development of the public administration system in the interest of sustainable development. At the same time, it intends to expand the practice of participation of civil society and the private sector in the development of public regulatory measures through constructive dialogue between the government, society and business community.

However, citizen participation in planning, monitoring and other stages of the local programmes and budgetary processes in Belarus is virtually absent largely because these processes traditionally have been vertically driven. Local Councils and Executive Committees often have little access to the everyday experiences and realities of a large majority of citizens and civil servants have limited incentives and capacity to look for innovative forms of citizen and communities engagement in policy formulation or service provision, as they do not have the skills and necessary instruments to do so. Additionally, there is no requirement to involve citizens in planning or redesign service provision based on the received feedback. This makes it difficult to monitor the implementation of state policies and programs, and to evaluate their results. In addition to civil servants, a wide range of other public sector employees come into contact with citizens in service delivery and need to be part of the feedback loops.

In the conditions of tight budgetary restrictions and increased citizens’ demand for effective and efficient local governance, including first and foremost customer-oriented public service provision, the challenge that local governments in Belarus face is the need to strengthen their capacity, experience and institutional mechanisms in order to engage citizens, private businesses and civil society organizations in the local development process, including the planning, implementation and evaluation of public service delivery.

In addressing these issues, the project will target two main objectives:

1. Improving the system of local civil servants’ selection, training and performance assessment based on international experience;
2. Developing mechanisms to ensure inclusive participation of citizens in local governance processes and programs, in particular, in the planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of public service delivery at the local level.

The projects aims to achieve this objective through the following strategy:

(1) to set up a system of training for civil servants and public sector workers, especially for those working at the regional and district levels and who are in contact with citizens through their functions, to develop their capacity for practicing more inclusive and participatory approaches to designing, planning, implementing and monitoring development programs, including public service delivery; and

(2) to assist the local governance and self-governance bodies in setting up and institutionalizing efficient, sustainable and inclusive mechanisms for engaging local citizens, NGOs, private businesses and other local actors towards improving the design and implementation of public policies and the quality of public services. The project will be based on the initiatives of the Academy of Public Administration, National Centre of Legislation and Legal Research and Human Resources Department of the Administration of the President, and will provide international expertise to improve planning and feedback mechanisms, align methodology of civil service training with international standards and enhance participation of citizens and non-governmental organizations in the design, implementation and monitoring of public service delivery.

The project is nationally executed with the Academy of Public Administration and selected pilot rayons as an Implementing Partners. The project is a response to the needs of the Administration of the President and Academy of Public Administration, as well as local governance and local-self-governance bodies identified through joint meetings and discussions. The Implementing Partners are leading in project implementation and have ownership of project results. UNDP in Belarus will provide technical advice and will assist in monitoring and evaluation of the project in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures. UNDP is also responsible for financial and program reporting to the donors and for ensuring coherence with the objectives of this project document.

Project Manager will support the Implementing Partners in the project realization and will be responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the project. His or her primary responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the outputs specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and costs. The Project Manager will be supported by an Administrative and Financial Assistant.

The Project Manager assumes overall responsibility for the successful implementation of all project activities and the achievement of planned project outputs. He/she works under supervision of UNDP and in coordination with the Project National Coordinator assigned by the National Executing Entity. The objective of the assignment is to ensure effective project management and monitoring.

Duties:

• Supervise and coordinate the project to ensure its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual;
• Supervise and coordinate the work of the Project team;
• Assume primary responsibility for the daily project management - both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the project;
• Facilitates transfer of project funds to partners for their respective components, ensures adequate coordination and information sharing with them for the purposes of the project planning, implementation, reporting and visibility;
• Prepare detailed annual work plans, to be approved by the Project Board, ensure adherence thereto;
• Prepare terms of reference for national consultants and subcontractors in line with relevant UNDP procedures;
• Prepare annual project reports (APR) in line with UNDP requirements and donor reporting rules, as well as any other reports requested by the National Executing Entity or UNDP;
• Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines;
• Assume overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping;
• Guide and coordinate the work of national and international consultants and subcontractors and oversee its compliance with the agreed work plan;
• Organize and supervise workshops and trainings needed during the project;
• Liaise with relevant ministries, national institutes and other relevant institutions in order to involve their staff in project activities as necessary and gather and disseminate information relevant to the project;
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project;
• Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance programs in Belarus;
• Maintain regular contact with UNDP Country Office and the Project National Coordinator on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
• Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by UNDP or the Project National Coordinator.

Expected results - successful delivery of agreed project outcomes and milestones, as indicated in the project document.

• Job expertise: excellent analytical, problem solving skills, and strong attention to detail; demonstrates the ability to work in an independent manner;
• Communication: clear and careful oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate with staff and constituencies from multiple organizations, and to provide strategic guidance in a collaborative, consultative, and positive manner; strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community;
• Delivery: self-starter, with strong sense of ownership, assertive follow-through, and orientation towards results; ability to perform well under pressure, adapt to change, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment; consistent ability to set and deliver against a work plan in a fast-paced environment;
• People Management: ability to build consensus and to work through others in achieving desired results and objectives; encourages collaboration and improves team performance; motivates excellence and engagement.

• Higher education in economics, political or social sciences, public administration, law, management or related fields; advanced degree or academic training in these areas would be considered an asset;
• Extensive project implementation experience, with skills in facilitation and coordination of development activities, and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
• Working experience in the area covered by the project is highly desirable;
• Working knowledge of UNDP rules and regulations is an asset;
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in the field;
• At least 2 years of project management experience;
• International project management experience is an advantage;
• Computer literacy;
• Excellent written and spoken English and Russian are required.