UNDP Programme Specialist Job in Kenya

Programme Specialist 

 

(Governance and Rule of Law), GROL

Closing date:  15 Oct 2012

UN Development Programme

I. Position Information

Job Title: Programme Specialist, GROL Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya Reports to: Governance and Rule of Law (GROL) Programme Manager Reports: DCD (P) Contract Type: Fixed-Term International Approved Grade:P4

II. Organizational Context

The UNDP Governance and Rule of Law Programme (GROL) supports primarily the achievement of Outcome 2 of the Country Programme (2011-2015): “Somali women and men, girls and boys, benefit from more inclusive, equitable and accountable governance, improved services, human security, access to justice and human rights," which is comprised of five main sub-outcomes: 

• Sub Outcome 2.1. Mechanisms for transition to democratic and accountable structures and systems of governance designed and implemented 
• Sub Outcome 2.2. Key public sector reforms designed and implemented in an inclusive, gender-sensitive, participatory and transparent manner. 
• Sub Outcome 2.3. The capacities for parliamentary and civil society actors strengthened for effective and accountable governance oversight. 
• Sub Outcome 2.4. Technical assistance provided to improve security, establish a functioning judiciary, access to justice, a constitutional and legal framework, and protection of human rights under the rule of law. 
• Sub Outcome 2.5. Mechanisms in place to support improved access to equitable prioritized basic services, especially for women and vulnerable groups. Previously stand-alone programmes, Governance and Rule of Law programmes, have been merged so as to enhance the quality and impact of UNDP resources on the ground and allow for more synergies and harmony in UNDP CO work.

The Programme focuses on six thematic areas that are closely inter-related, mutually reinforcing and all equally essential to the strengthening of governance and rule of law in Somalia: 

1. Fostering Inclusive Political Processes: The objective of this thematic area is to enable political institutions to support inclusive transitions through the development of democratic, oversight and legislative processes. 
2. Strengthening Core Institutional Systems and Functions: The objective of this thematic area is to strengthen core capacities and systems at national, regional and local level, whilst supporting federal and regional leadership to establish clear priorities and plans for the implementation of broader institutional development initiatives. 
3. Developing Access to Justice and the Judicial System: Building on the previous achievements of the Rule of Law and Security (ROLS) programme, this thematic area works to expand the depth and breadth of justice service provision, through a move from legal aid to legal empowerment, expanding into areas of civil law affecting women and minorities as alimony, women’s inheritance, and access to public services, and increasing the number of paralegals and giving stronger consideration to the customary and sharia justice systems. 
4. Strengthening Police and Security Sector Governance: This thematic area aims to introduce and implement strategic development plans for the police, mapping out the vision for policing in Somalia’s regions, outlining how key reforms will be achieved and providing a perspective on sustainability and the role of the government in supporting the police. The pillar will ensure that policing can manage critical issues for Somalis communities, such as piracy, conflict and insurgency. 
5. Enabling Resilient Local Governance and Service Delivery: The objective of this pillar of the programme is for local governance to contribute to peace and equitable priority service delivery, and support the establishment of district-level autonomous and accountable local governments and the development of effective linkages with constituent communities and the private sector. This pillar is UNDP’s contribution to the Joint Programme on Local Governance and decentralized service delivery (JPLG) which is a five-year Programme of UNDP, ILO, UNCDF, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF. 
6. Enhancing Community Security and Resilience: This thematic area complements institutional support and service provision in justice, security and basic services through a community driven approach, ensuring that marginalised clans, women and youth are actively involved in the planning, monitoring and execution of security services. Using a bottom-up approach this pillar will build civil society, L/NGO and governmental consensus around community safety and security approaches.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager for Governance and Rule of Law, the Programme Specialist will be responsible for general programme management, accountability and oversight, partnership building and resource mobilization as well as promoting innovations, advocacy and knowledge building within the GROL programme. 

 

S/he fosters synergies across the 6 thematic areas of the GROL programme and aligns them to CPD Outcomes One and Two. 

 

The incumbent provides reporting support to ensure that all reports produced under GROL are of high quality and meet the standards required by the donors and counterparts. 

 

S/he also provides quality assurance to programme/project boards, and high-quality advisory services to project teams where necessary in order to improve empirical-based monitoring and reporting against proper baselines in both a qualitative and quantitative respect. 

 

The incumbent liaises with UNDP’s Planning and Partnership Unit (PPU) to ensure that projects’ evaluations and audits are implemented and developed according to schedules, findings and recommendations.

The Programme Specialist coordinates activities of Programme Management staff and supervises the GROL national programme specialists and programme associates. 

 

S/he works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UNDP units, UN Agencies, UNDP HQ staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation and continuous innovations in her/his key areas of responsibilities..

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions: 

• Programme Accountability and Oversight 
• Advisory Services and Technical Expertise 
• Programme Management 
• Partnership building and Resource Mobilization 
• Innovations, Advocacy and Knowledge Building

Ensure effective programme accountability and oversight, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Ensures that GROL programme activities respond to the development needs of Somalia and are in accordance with the national and sub-national priorities as articulated in the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2011-2015 and all relevant national and sub-national strategies; 
• Ensures accountability of the GROL programme to donors and counterparts throughout the delivery of outcome-level results and management of programme resources;
• Ensures strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations and ensuring the implementation of clear accountability mechanisms throughout the programme portfolio; 
• Participates in internal control mechanisms for adherence to UNDP rules and regulations in contracts, assets, procurement, recruitment, etc. as required; 
• Provides quality assurance to the programme/project boards by carrying out objective and independent programme oversight and monitoring functions 
• Oversees the implementation of the CO monitoring and evaluation plan as it relates to GROL programme; 
• Ensures synergies and complementarity between the GROL programme and other units in UNDP Somalia to achieve CPD outcomes.

Ensures provision of high-quality advisory services and technical expertise, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provides technical support and advice for programme implementation to project teams and counterparts on the current and newly emerging Governance and Rule of Law issues; 
• Identifies policy-driven issues, best practices and lessons learned on Governance and Rule of Law at global, regional and national level and ensure these are integrated into the programme planning and implementation; 
• Advises on the design and implementation of coherent institutional capacity development strategies by the Programme Pillars ensuring these strategies contribute to the national development plans where they exist; 
• Proactively identifies risks and challenges to the on-going operations of the GROL programme and provides project teams on mitigation strategies; 
• Provides policy advice to programme manager, senior CO management, government counterparts, donors and other partners on issues related to GROL;

Ensure effective programme management, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• In close consultation with PPU, ensures the elaboration of coherent work plans and budgets for all activities in the Programme portfolio and the continuous monitoring of project work plans, 
• Ensures timely and adequate reporting against plans in consultation with PPU, including providing timely and articulate progress reports and inputs to the Strategic Results Framework and Results Oriented Annual Report; 
• Preparation of high quality project documents and proposals, and encouraging adequate peer review of the same through established mechanisms (LPAC); 
• Ensures that the 6 programme pillars coordinate their implementations at the field level and contribute to the expected outcomes of the CPD 
• Ensures that each programme pillar establishes management information which allows the efficient and effective collection of outcome-level data including sex and age-segregated data so that programme monitoring and evaluation can take place and progress can be measured 
• Guides the development of GROL’s communication strategy and tools including fact sheets and brochures in close collaboration with the project teams and with CO communication unit 
• Supervises the national programme specialists and programme associates and ensure their individual RCAs are aligned with the overall vision of the programme and support delivery of programme outcomes 
• Represents GROL programme, as requested by the Programme Manager 
• Drafts, maintains and supports the implementation of programme evaluation and audit plans. Support the drafting of TORs for internal evaluations and audits 
• Champions for the achievement of Country Programme Outcome 1 &2 and ensure the effective application of RBM tools for Programme effectiveness and achievement of results

Promotes partnership building and resource mobilization, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Advises on the preparation and clearance of agreements with partners (donors, government, CSOs, UN agencies and other partners) in close coordination with PPU 
• Develops mechanisms and instruments for selection of appropriate government and civil society partners in the implementation of the programme pillars 
• Coordinates GROL programme resource mobilization efforts in conjunction with PPU 
• Facilitates GROL engagement with non-traditional donors to support GROL programme 
• Leads and coordinates partner surveys and consolidation of GROL response and follow-up when and as required. 
• Undertakes conflict sensitive analysis and perception surveys to determine what public needs, views and priorities are with regard to Governance and Rule of Law 
• Forges closer linkages with the other UN offices, programmes, agencies and entities, and other international and national stakeholders concerned with or providing assistance on GROL issues to Somalia; Lead the development of Joint Programme Documents when needed

Ensures innovation, advocacy and knowledge building within the GROL programme, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Identifies new ideas and opportunities for the development of new interventions in the area of governance and rule of law, and facilitates the alignment of the GROL programme with the new emerging priorities in the light of the political transition in Somalia and the implementation of the Provisional Federal Constitution 
• Promotes GROL programme, ensuring maximum and appropriate levels of visibility and public awareness on results of the ongoing activities, and positioning UNDP as a neutral actor with high quality policy advice 
• Provides leadership on governance and rule of Law issues within the framework of United Nations Somalia Assistance strategy (UNSAS) Outcome 3, Internal Strategic Framework (ISF), and other coordination structures
• Ensures that lessons learned and best practices in the area of governance and rule of law are captured and documented to inform wider policies and programmes and facilitate replication elsewhere 
• Leads proactive showcasing of the programme activities in regional and international for a and knowledge dissemination through existing UNDP global practice networks 
• Leads the development of new ways of engaging with non-state actors including traditional structures in the delivery of the governance and rule of law strategies 
• Supports capacity- and knowledge building of national counterparts 
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the CO and, in particular, within the GROL Programme.

IV. Impact of Results

Evidenced results will take the form of a quality integration of the work currently being developed in separate fashion by projects previously separated in the Governance and Rule of Law and Security portfolio. Enhanced impact will also be manifest in the more streamlined and comprehensive character of the capacity development assistance provided to counterparts as a product of the merger and a smooth transition to its implementation.

V. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda 

• Creates effective advocacy strategies 
• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Results-Based Programme Development and Management 

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work 
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration 
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation 
• Analyses country situation to identify opportunities for project development 
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships 

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda 
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners 
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches 

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals 
• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations 
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking 
• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations) 

• Analyses information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach 
• Identifies and compiles lessons learned 
• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing 

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches 
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise  

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines 
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally 
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments 
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals 

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses 
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level

Client Orientation 

• Anticipates client needs 
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider 
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective 
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Core Competencies: 

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment 
• Self-development, initiative-taking 
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work 
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively 
• Creating synergies through self-control 
• Managing conflict 
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member. 
• Informed and transparent decision making

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, law, or any related field.

Experience: 

• 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects 
• Proven experience in partnership building and networking 
• Excellent knowledge of and experience with RBM methodologies and tools (project and programe management, design, monitoring and evaluation and report writing) 
• Experience in governance and public sector management in developing countries. Post-conflict experience is an asset 
• Experience in programme management, including project formulation, implementation and reporting is an asset 
• Thorough knowledge of Atlas and UNDP procedures is an asset 
• Knowledge and experience in Somalia is an asset 
• Experience with UNDP preferred 
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;

How to apply:

“Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit electronic application by visiting http://jobs.undp.org/. OR http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=33042