Management Specialist – Public Sector Job Vacancy in Lilongwe, Malawi

Location
: Lilongwe, MALAWI
Application
Deadline : 18-Oct-12
Additional
Category:  Millennium Development Goals
Type
of Contract : FTA International
Post
Level : P-4
Languages
Required : English
Starting
Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Jan-2013
Duration
of Initial Contract : One year, with possibility of renewal
Background
The
Government of Malawi (GoM) recognizes that only with an effective public service
can the goals of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) be achieved.
In this light, the GoM is commencing a program to review and improve the
effectiveness and efficiency of implementation of public programs and
management of service delivery. The overall Government’s goal is to deliver
services to the public in an efficient, demand driven and effective manner.
This will be achieved, among other strategies, through: (i) developing and
strengthening leadership capacities within the public service; (ii) developing
and strengthening human and institutional capacities; (iii) strengthening
academic institutions to respond to the needs of the economy; (iv) promoting
and establishing professional and skills development centers; and above all (v)
promoting effective performance management systems.
UNDP
is supporting the GoM to achieve its goal through the Capacity Development for
Public Sector Management Project (the ‘Project’). This Project supports UNDAF
Outcome 4.2: ‘Public institutions are better able to manage, allocate and
utilize resources for effective development and service delivery by 2016 and
Output 4.2.1: ‘Capacity for public sector management strengthened for effective
service delivery.’
The
project has already assessed and analyzed existing capacities in implementation
areas, defined capacity development strategies and plans, and supported
implementation of various public sector management activities over the last 5
years. It will now focus on development of a national capacity development
strategy, programme of work and financing plans as well as continue to
facilitate the establishment and operationalisation of a Public Administration
Sector Working Group.
The
project is coordinated from the Office of the President and Cabinet but works
with a range of Responsible Parties including other Government Ministries,
Departments and Agencies, learning and training institutions, private sector
and civil society organizations.
In
view of the above, the Public Sector Management (PSM) Advisor will provide
technical input to support, coordinate and develop the national capacity
development strategies and programme of work as well as the Public
Administration SWG, its structure, policy and planning framework. The priority
of this position is to provide specialist advice to enable GoM achieve its goal
to deliver services to the public in an efficient, demand driven and effective
manner. The PSM Advisor will work under the overall guidance of the Deputy
Resident Representative (Programme), and work closely with the Assistant
Resident Representative of the Capacity Development Cluster of the UNDP country
office in Malawi on a day-to-day basis. The PSM Advisor will be housed in the
Public Service Management Reform Unit (PSMRU) under the Office of the President
and Cabinet (OPC). The PSM Advisor will work closely with OPC staff to support
capacity development and on the job learning on a day to day basis. 
Duties and
Responsibilities
  • Provide
    top-notch expertise and advice to UNDP and PSMRU/OPC on public service
    management including formulation of policy, strategies, regulations and
    development of leadership and management, human resource planning and
    management and other related areas.
  • Ensure
    effective management of the Capacity Development for Public Sector Management
    Project including providing strategic guidance and advice, and technical
    leadership on the coordination of the Public Administration sector to
    establish an operational SWG structure and Sector Wide Approaches (SWAPs).
  • Provide
    leadership and guidance on the implementation of the new PSM project
    including not only UNDP-financed project, but also the activities to be
    carried out through other development partners.
  • Conduct
    a thorough analysis of the policy, managerial and technical aspects and
    advise both the Office of the President and cabinet and UNDP on project
    management and implementation.
  • Providing
    technical support on the development of Annual Work plans and budgets in
    close cooperation with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies
    (MDAs) and other stakeholders.
  • Strategic
    oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the new
    PSM project, tracking use of resources in accordance with UNDP rules and
    regulations, as well as policies and procedures.
  • Providing
    technical advice on oversight, feedback, and guidance to UNDP senior
    management, and upon request other UN agencies, with regard to capacity
    development needs and initiatives and UN strategic positioning.
  • Facilitate
    and maintains strategic partnerships and resource mobilization including
    development of partnerships for achieving effective resource mobilization
    to achieve the intended results, outcomes and outputs of the Public Sector
    Management programme;
  • Provision
    of strategic advice in the formulation, implementation, and revision of
    the operational planning, and budget system for the PSM project ensuring
    its alignment with existing government programme.
  • Effective
    application of the Results-Based Management (RBM) tools, establishment of
    management targets and monitoring and achievement of results.
  • Ensure
    effective monitoring and impact evaluation of the new PSM project and
    introducing adjustments to project design and implementations strategies
    as/when necessary in consultation with key stakeholders.
  • Support
    the development of reporting systems and the elaboration of consolidated
    annual progress report of the PSM project.
  • Establishment
    and coordination of partnerships with UN agencies, bilateral and
    multilateral donors, government institutions, organized private sector,
    CSOs and other stakeholders;
  • Strengthen
    the capacity of OPC for the implementation, management, coordination,
    monitoring, and evaluation of the new CDPSM project.
  • Undertake
    advocacy and knowledge management initiatives and facilitate a process of
    creating and raising the level of awareness of the PSM project.
  • Provide
    specialist advice on a timely manner to UNDP and the UN system on
    significant policy measures being considered or implemented by the
    government in the area of PSM.
Competencies
Corporate
Competencies:
  • Demonstrates
    integrity by learning and applying the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Up-holds
    the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Displays
    cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats
    all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional
Competencies:
Knowledge
Management and Learning:
  • Applies
    knowledge management in UNDP and on the job and on-line learning and
    active participation and interaction with colleagues
  • Actively
    works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more
    Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Technical
Knowledge:
  • Demonstrates
    a thorough understanding of the issues and challenges related to capacity
    development and public sector management.
  • Exhibits
    a good knowledge of public service policy, regulations, systems,
    leadership and management, institutional development and capacity
    development issues.
  • Displays
    process, transparency and accountability in the country.
Development
and Operational Effectiveness:
  • Ability
    to organize and coordinate results-oriented strategic interventions.
  • Good
    technical skills including grasp of methodological and operational
    dimensions and the ability to link corporate and country level issues.
  • Ability
    to provide technical support public sector-related programme operations.
  • Results
    oriented.
  • Flexible
    and self-starter
Management
and Leadership:
  • Ability
    to respond flexibly to counterpart needs and generate innovative,
    practical solutions to challenging situations.
  • Consistently
    approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates
    openness to change and ability to manage complexities and new challenges
  • Demonstrates
    strong oral and written communication skills
  • Builds
    strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the
    client and responds positive to feedback
Required
Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Master’s
    degree in Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration,
    Development Studies, or related field.
Experience:
  • At
    least 7 years relevant work experience at international level in managing
    complex programs, and at least 5 years work experience in capacity
    development.
  • Experience
    in international development work particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa is an
    added advantage but not essential.
  • Comprehensive
    knowledge, experience, and record of achievements in providing quality
    advisory services to governments in public sector development and related
    issues is essential.
  • International
    experience in institutional capacity building and in analyzing and
    restructuring public sector management including in areas of leadership
    and management, HR planning and management, E-Government and project
    management is required.
  • Conceptual
    and strategic analytical capacity to analyze and articulate complex issues
    that require a coordinated UN response is critical for success.
  • Demonstrated
    problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment in applying technical
    expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems.
  • Strong
    negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement;
  • Ability
    to work under extreme pressure, on occasion, in a highly stressful
    environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery).
  • Very
    good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines.
Language:
  • Excellent
    written and oral communication skills and fluency in English. Knowledge of
    another UN official language is an advantage.
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.
Closing
Date: Thursday, 18 October 2012
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