Career in Nepal| Inclusive Governance Specialist/Project Liaison (NPSA10)

Job Action

Short Info

Career Level: Senior Level
No. of Vacancy: 1
Experience: 5-7 Years
Views: 569
Apply Before: 2023-10-18 (Closed)

Offered Salary: Negotiable
Gender: Both
Driving License: Yes
Education Preference:

Job Description:

The Inclusive Governance Specialist will report to and work under the direct supervision of the Team Leader. She/he will establish a close coordination with the EU, Portfolio Manager and Governance Advisor of the Governance and Rule of Law Portfolio of UNDP and other UNDP country office departments for management and timely reporting in compliance with the EU and UNDP’s corporate requirements. She/he will also work closely with MOFAGA, Provincial Government of Karnali, PLGSP donors, ministries, working groups/tasks force on federalism, GESI and GRID, CSOs and other national and international stakeholders/ institutions working on inclusive federalism.

In her/his project liaison role the Inclusive Governance Specialist will be involved in networking with project actors and the development and facilitation of collaborations and partnerships under the project.

The Inclusive Governance Specialist, based in Kathmandu, will lead project assignments in inclusive federalism and inclusive governance, and will also provide technical advice and backstopping to the Karnali-based TA team, including on design and implementation of project assignments. She/he will provide substantial support to the Team Leader with all elements of Project Management and will furthermore liaise with national level project partners and stakeholders. The Specialist will therefore work in close collaboration with the Team Leader.

Below the specific ‘Liaison’, ‘Project Management’ and ‘Inclusive Governance’ tasks are presented, with the note that there will not necessarily be a clear distinction between these tasks and that result achievement will require an integrated approach.

Key Liaison Tasks:

Pro-active engagement and networking with project actors (MoFAGA/PLGSP, MoF, sector Ministries, DPs, (I)NGOs, education/research institutes) and facilitating deliberations on project progress and learning, as well as stakeholder demand.
Formal engagement with and representation in federalism platforms, PLGSP and DP technical networks, liaison, and coordination with national stakeholders.
Establishing and facilitating collaborations and partnerships for the implementation of the project, notably for the capture, documentation, and scaling of good practice, especially in results areas 1) Enhancing Local Government and Ward level Basic Services; 2) PLG data management, monitoring, and reporting systems; and 4) Capacity of Local Government Associations.
Reflective support to project implementation and coordination with other Provinces.
Document project lessons and approaches and develop discussion-papers and PR notes. Share information, knowledge, and good practice amongst stakeholders (mostly outside Karnali) and facilitating engagement and collaboration on project implementation.
Organizing network inputs and events on inclusive federalism, project result areas, and structural federalism/project progress and challenges.
Ensure UNDP CO is updated on project progress and facilitate deliberations with UNDP portfolio teams on project progress and learning to ensure overall objectives of UNSDF and CDP are met

Project Management Support

The Inclusive Governance Specialist in her/his role as the Deputy Project Manager will manage, under direction of the Team Leader, delegated functions of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and selected project implementation activities.

Key Project Management Tasks:

Support the Team Leader with all elements of Project Management, including PMU staff management, financial management, work planning, monitoring, and progress reporting as per detailed delegation and support agreement to be framed by Team Leader and IG-Advisor. Replace the Team Leader is her/his absence (ad interim).
Support project engagement in the Project Board meetings, the PLGSP Provincial coordination committee meetings, as well as national level meetings.
Engage with national level stakeholders and beneficiaries on project implementation issues.

Inclusive Governance

Key Inclusive Governance Tasks:

Conduct in close collaboration with the GESI Analyst, Karnali PLG, MoFAGA, relevant federalism and PLG governance projects and other stakeholders an institutional system mapping and analysis of the inclusiveness and GESI performance of existing PLG systems and procedures.
Support partnership approach between EUSIF, PSP and SNGP (PLG strengthening projects) for cross-learning and capture/scaling of good practice on inclusive PLG performance.
Develop an overall strategy on how to ensure the Karnali PLG governance, systems, and processes, as well as staff capacities, will become (more) inclusive and participatory, in line with the project objectives and approach.  Develop a discussion and communication plan for PLGs on what ‘inclusive federalism and governance’ means, why it is important and how it can be achieved.
Engage with other Provinces on good practice, learning and scaling opportunities.
Inventory of existing inclusive federalism lessons and practices, and design/facilitate collaborative research assignments and deliberation events.
Produce discussion and policy influencing papers.
Support development of Provincial Data management, monitoring, and reporting system, with focus on inclusion and linkage with national systems.
Support development of Local Government Basic Services system based on Inclusiveness, Community Benefit and Sustainability.
Support capacity development of Provincial Centers for Good Governance as well as CD packages.
Support capacity development of Local Government Associations.
Participate in team meetings (virtually and physically) and provide in-depth analysis and technical advice on framing and implementation of TA assignments

Gender and Social Inclusion

Ensure that GESI is mainstreamed in all four result areas of the project and targeted interventions planned and implemented to promote inclusive governance and federalism
Create a culture within the PMU to respect cultural, social, and religious diversity and ensure zero tolerance for sexual violence at workplace
Provide strategic guidance to the PMU to establish a system to collect gender disaggregated data, impact stories and results benefiting male, female, people with disabilities and marginalized groups and risks and challenges associated for their meaningful participation in federalism process, particularly service delivery.
Ensure GESI is adequately captured in project progress reports, baseline survey and final project evaluation.
Estimated time allocations: PM/PMU support – 50%; Liaison 20%; Technical 30% (Result 1 - 10%; Result 2 – 10%; Result 3 – 5%; Result 4 – 5%).

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation

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 & Technical competencies

Business Direction & 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
Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’sauthority, area of expertise and resources

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

2030 Agenda: Peace

Governance: Localization of the SDGs; Municipal Planning and Basic Service Delivery (including budgeting & financing
Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Human Rights /HRBA
Gender: Gender Mainstreaming

Education + Experience

Master's Degree - 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - 7 year(s) experience
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public policy/Administration, Rural Development, Capacity Development and Change, International Relations, Political Science, Law, or any other relevant areas is required.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.
Experience:
Minimum five years (with Master´s degree) or seven years (with Bachelor´s degree) of progressive experience in governance, federalism, and project/programme management.
Knowledge and experience in people /team management is an asset.
Experience in establishing and facilitating collaborations with national and international stakeholders, ministries, CSOs, UN agencies and development partners, for synergy building and project/programme delivery is an asset.
Practical knowledge and experience in promoting GESI for evidence-based policy formulation, policy advocacy and inclusive local governance
Experience in results-based planning, monitoring, and reporting is an asset.
Experience in UNDP’s project and programme management, quality assurance and reporting, as well as with UNDP’s project operations (including operating knowledge of Quantum) is an advantage
Experience in EU reporting, visibility and compliance is an advantage  Excellent knowledge of computer including MS Office (Word, Excel, mail, and Power Point)

Language Requirement:

Fluency in English and Nepali

Benefits

As per company policy.

Apply Instruction:

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 October, 2023