Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Addis Ababa
Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
International Relations
Democratic Governance
Public Policy and Administration
Closing Date: 2024-06-05
Background
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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.
Ethiopia has been going through multiple transitions with profound implications for its future as has been exemplified by the challenges that crept in shortly after the then-new government initiated key reforms in 2018. As the country continues to move away from a centrist, authoritarian model towards transformational democratization, its historical country context still defines and shapes the discourse where disagreements and tensions are never satisfactorily or easily resolved and thus have the potential to influence the political narratives and country’s reform agenda. The governance landscape itself continues to be shaped by these dynamics and is made worse by the weak institutional capacity at many levels in the public sector which undermines the ability to implement the public policy reforms that the Government seeks to pursue. These transitions pose major challenges but also permit a leap forward in inclusion, shared prosperity, sustainability, peace, and security. This moment, therefore, is a historic one. What happens over the next several years will profoundly alter the development trajectory of Ethiopia and its chances of transforming into a democratic polity and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The new Enabling Democratic Governance in Ethiopia (EDGE) 2024 – 2027 project seeks to further elevate the support to the Government of Ethiopia to address governance bottlenecks, issues of inclusivity, voice, participation, transparency, and accountability, and to nurture the development of a more open and responsive system of governance and peaceful coexistence. A key in the democratization process in Ethiopia is the new culture that requires nurturing and deepening electoral practices. In line with elections, UNDP strives to strengthen electoral systems and processes in Ethiopia ensuring the capacities of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia to promote inclusion, gender equality, transparency, and accountability through an effective partnership with relevant stakeholders. The project will be implemented by UNDP in close partnership with NEBE and other national partners, and coordination with relevant UN agencies.
The Strategic Governance Specialist provides broad support within the Governance portfolio at the CO level and integrates and connects with a wide range of governance and election areas. He/She is expected to assist the CO Senior Management to ensure that governance is fully integrated across all projects and programmes including the CPD.
Position Purpose
The Strategic Governance Specialist will be based in Addis Ababa with occasional travel to regions. S/he will be required to divide time between the EDGE (50%) and Supporting Elections for Ethiopia’s Democracy Strengthening (SEEDS 2) Project (50%) projects to ensure technical support and results are achieved according to the approved annual work plans for the respective projects. Under the Team Leader, the Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding Unit of UNDP Ethiopia CO and closely working with the Deputy Resident Representative-Programmes, the SGA will be responsible for the successful project management and implementation of EDGE and SEEDS-2.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provision of top-quality technical advisory, and capacity development support:
Provide high-quality technical policy support to the Government on relevant governance topics.
Identify capacity gaps and challenges in implementing partners and design strategic approaches to address them sustainably.
Introduce innovative ideas and benchmarks based on international good practices, and actively promote their application in the project.
Application of UNDP project strategies to facilitate the achievement of results in governance under national leadership.
Advise the Government counterparts in planning implementation to achieve intended results, including co-leading planning engagements and ensuring the relevance, high quality, and timeliness of planning processes.
Prepare issue papers, analytical policy memos, and strategy papers to inform and enable UNDP’s and government’s agenda setting, prioritization, and implementation decisions.
Gender and social inclusion and the achievement of the SDGs lie at the core of the EDGE and SEEDS 2 project. All aspects of the project M&E should reflect these core themes. Data capture needs to reflect progress with the application of triangulation to demonstrate development pathways devised to lead to the achievement of the expected results.
Engaging in donor and stakeholder outreach, including networking, meetings, and presentations, to promote the project and garner support.
Advise UNDP senior management about the unfolding critical project context.
Provision of high-quality advisory support to project management and achievement of performance targets:
Strong experience in Project Management preferably in governance programmes/projects and experience working with Development Partners and UN agencies
Follow-up on the implementation of decisions and recommendations of the Project Management Board and Project Technical Committee.
Provide strategic advice and support in close cooperation and coordination with relevant national and regional stakeholders on the implementation of the project elements.
Timely preparation and quality control of substantive technical outputs, briefs, and documents on governance issues, ensuring timely submission of progress and financial reports.
Advise stakeholders in managing project risks, for example by preparing analytical policy and project briefs for UNDP, and through it to project donors, the Project Technical Committee, and the Project Management Board; Review and update Risk and Issues logs regularly and identify issues that need the attention of UNDP and the PTC.
Coordinate and ensure the timely and high-quality preparation of Project Annual and Mid-Term Review meetings.
Effective management of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization with the accountability for the use of donor funds:
Ensure the timely and high-quality project reporting to partners; escalate any issues that warrant senior management involvement.
Ensure the use and application of donor funds by respective cost-sharing agreements and UNDP regulations/practices.
Previous experience of working successfully with governments in Africa on governance and elections.
Strategic engagement with key regional and national stakeholders from government and civil society organizations, development partners, and UN agencies to build synergy and collaboration, and to promote wider participation.
Develop strategic partnerships among stakeholders to build consensus and momentum on activities.
Ensure policy and programme coherence in alignment with the UNSDCF
Proven experience in overseeing and ensuring technical soundness of research and analysis products
Provide and coordinate substantive technical advice on all aspects of democratic governance principles, practices, and processes in Ethiopia bringing appropriate international perspectives tailored to suit the unique arrangements in Ethiopia.
Undertake top-quality analysis and substantive inputs and contribute to the development of project documents, reports, concept notes, and other strategic documents, considering national and global trends, as well as international best practices of democratic governance assistance.
Serve as a UNDP representative within the UNSDCF teams in support of the DRR & RR.
Effective communication and visibility and knowledge management of EDGE and SEEDS:
Highly developed organizational and communication skills.
Ensure the availability of communication materials about the project and intended results in all relevant languages and tailored for different audiences.
Ensure the appropriate visibility of the project in the public media and in high-level channels in conjunction with the UNDP DCH team.
Facilitate and ensure effective communication among all project partners underpinning greater mutual understanding and the collective achievement of results.
Prepare and disseminate high-quality progress reports and analytical notes.
Prepare high-level policy briefs and Op-Eds on key project issues.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
Cross Functional and Technical Competencies:
Digital and Innovation – E-Governance: Knowledge of how it works, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society.
Governance – Civic Engagement (includes CSO): Ability to engage with a wide range of Non-State Actors (with civil society and media) strengthen working relations, building trust and mutual understanding.
Business Direction and Strategy – Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
Business Direction and Strategy – System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Management – Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Management – Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society, and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Business Management – Portfolio Management: Ability to select, priorities and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or Equivalent) in Governance, Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Conflict Studies, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or equivalent field is required, OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned field combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
A minimum of 7 years (with Master’s Degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant experience in governance and/or election areas with governments, and/or development partners including governance project support, capacity development support, technical and policy advice, governance assessments or monitoring and evaluation, is required.
Specific areas of competency and experience on governance project support, capacity development support, technical support and policy advice, governance assessments, monitoring and evaluation etc is desired.
Excellent understanding/experience of developing countries is desired.
Full computer literacy, in internet searching and Microsoft Office is required.
Language:
Fluency in both spoken and written English is required.
Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.
**Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest UN Common Service Performance Evaluations (if applicable).**
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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