UNDP Jobs - 67882- DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE SECTOR SECRETARIAT COORDINAT

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE SECTOR SECRETARIAT COORDINATOR

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2016

Application Deadline :

19-Aug-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 Year

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

In 2009, the Government of Malawi embraced Sector Wide Approaches (SWAp) as the tool for delivering the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II (MDGS II). The Democratic Governance Sector (DGS) constitutes one of the broad Sectors. The DGS consists of nineteen government institutions responsible for access to justice and democratic accountability. In addition to the Government Institutions, there are twenty-four Partners institutions from the Government, Non State Actors including Civil Society Organizations, the academia and media. The Sector has been evolving under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA) with support from Development Partners.

As a departure from the past development practices, SWAp was adopted to reduce transaction costs and eliminate fragmentation by consolidating efforts to aggregate results. Pursuant to this, the DGS Strategy (DGSS) and Policy Framework Paper (PFP) came into effect with the Cabinet’s approval in 2013. Subsequently, a number of foundational activities namely, baseline surveys, capacity assessments and multi-stakeholder consultations were completed to generate consensus on the structure and form of the DGS. All these processes contributed to establishment of a robust DGS with sufficient legitimacy and multi-stakeholder support.

The success of DGS is underpinned by clearly defined institutional arrangement and coordination mechanism for guaranteed coherence. The institutional arrangement defined five coordination organs. They include, the Democratic Governance Steering Group for political impetus; the Sector Coordination Committee for policy direction; the Resources Observatory for Government/Development Partners interface; the Thematic Technical Working Groups for implementation and; the Sector Secretariat for operational support to the Sector. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is responsible for the overall coordination and supervision of the Sector including oversight to the Secretariat.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides strategic direction and leadership to the DGS Secretariat, focusing on:

Overall strategic vision for DGS Secretariat with a view to build national capacities;
Devising strategies for increased DGS delivery and quality sector programming;
Ensuring the promotion and application of drivers of development effectiveness for enhanced DGS results as per the sector strategy;
Assessing and advising on the impact and effectiveness of intervention in DGS;
Promoting cross-thematic team work in the DGS and;
Promoting coordination among the various Organs of DGS and across Sectors.

Establishes and maintains strong strategic partnership, at highest Government levels and with top-level representatives of the United Nations, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors as well as non-governmental organisations, focusing on:

Resource mobilization for the DGS in close consultation with Sector Coordinator to reach the yearly fund mobilization and delivery targets;

Advocating for DGS with government institutions, donor community, international financial institutions and the United Nations;
Liaising with and forging close linkages with other United Nations, and other international and national stakeholders concerned with or providing assistance on Governance issues to the Government of Malawi and;
Harnessing effective partnerships and competitive selection of partners for implementation of DGS programme of work.

Coordinating implementation of the DGS triennium programme of work including day-to-day management of the DGS Secretariat, focusing on:

Coordination and ensuring delivery of DGS triennium programme of work outputs and to achieve expected results;

Coordination of the overall DGS annual work plan development and implementation in accordance with the DGS guidelines and procedures;
Ensuring that the planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the DGS triennium programme of work and tracking use of financial resources is in accordance with established rules and regulations;
Liaising with the Thematic Technical Working Groups, sector institutions, Development Partners, and other stakeholders to ensure the DGS results are achieved and resources are managed efficiently and effectively;
Coordination of financial resources allocation in the DGS including budgeting as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
Monitoring and reviewing quality of information and visibility of the DGS activities to the mass media and stakeholders;
Conducting regular monitoring visits with implementing partners to ensure effective oversight of and guidance to implementing institutions;
Coordination of DGS interactions with partners, networks and stakeholders and other Sector in the country for a more holistic and coherent approach to implementation of DGSS interventions.

Managing the Secretariat including coordination with national partners and other stakeholders:

Coordinate and manage relationships with national partners to support implementation of the DGS, raise any potential problems and ensure the timely development of solutions;
Identify capacity building needs and support partners through technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives;
Coordinate with other government institutions (national, regional and local levels), parliament development partners and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts;
Provide technical and Secretariat support to the Sector Organs by preparing technical notes, background materials, and organising meetings including consolidating technical in-put to development of sectoral policies development;
Identify and facilitate opportunities for cross partner learning and sharing among partners;
Review and coordinate the submission of DGS financial and narrative reports, aligning them with approved reporting structures and systems;
Apply Result Based Management (RBM) tools, providing guidance to partners on establishment of performance indicators, and monitoring achievement of results.

Oversee the monitoring and Reporting on the DGS interventions :

Implement effective monitoring of the DGS triennium programme of work, measuring the impact of the interventions and evaluation.
Monitor and analyze the DGS environment and timely readjustment of DGS triennium programme of work;
Prepare and compile substantive and technical programme management inputs to quarterly and annual reports to the Sector Coordination Committee, Resources Observatory and Steering Group;
Gather and compile all information necessary for monitoring and reporting on DGS triennium programme of work from the planning to the evaluation stages;
Identify key performance indicators as well as develop and maintain a monitoring system to ensure effective information sharing, and the provision of feedback and elaboration of top quality progress reports;
Present work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports to the Sector Coordination Committee, Resources Observatory and Steering Group;
Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure funds are properly allocated and appropriate actions are taken to optimize use.

Advocate and facilitate knowledge building and management:

Coordinate the organization of major DGS advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;
Ensure documentation of the DGS triennium programme of work implementation process and products produced are in accordance with Sector guidelines;
Identify and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the DGS triennium programme of work that might be useful to the Government, Development Partners and other stakeholders;
Contribute to the exchange of information and knowledge products internally and externally of the DGS;
Contribute to resource mobilization efforts.

Perform any other job related duties assigned by supervisor as required

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
Influencing the public policy agenda:
Achieving results through programme design and innovative resourcing strategies:
Building Strategic Partnerships and Alliances
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:
Fostering innovation in others:
Resource Mobilization:
Expert knowledge of own discipline:
Organizational Leadership and Direction:
Client Orientation:

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced University degree (Master or equivalent) preferably in Political Science, International Studies, Law, Development Studies or any other related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society, organization in a multi-cultural setting;
Specialist expertise of 10 years at senior level in the area of Democratic Governance;
Experience in developing and managing sector-wide approaches is required;
Above 5 years of senior-level management with responsibilities of similar magnitude and complexity;
Demonstrated knowledge of design and implementation of Sector-Wide Approaches
Previous experience and knowledge of Government or multilateral system is desirable;
Deep knowledge and understanding of the Malawi context
Previous experience managing change processes is an asset.
Language Requirements:
Strong written and spoken English skills.

Important Notice: Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.