Closing Date: Friday, 21 October 2011
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Plot No 7, Area 40
Lilongwe
Background
Government of Malawi has committed itself to improving justice, rule of law and internal security as central themes for democratic governance in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy of 2006 (MGDS).
The MGDS recognizes that improving democratic governance is a foundation for poverty reduction and a sustainable development agenda in Malawi. Central to democratic governance are the broad themes of the rule of law, access to justice, internal security and Democratic Accountability. Although there has been progress in improving justice delivery, strengthening the rule of law and internal security following several interventions, there are still systemic constraints and challenges that are faced by agencies that provide the services and also by its users. These challenges range from legal, institutional and human resources that are insufficient, to inadequate or outdated infrastructure, systems and procedures in the whole governance system. Coupled with the people particularly the vulnerable and marginalized who are not sufficiently empowered to seek for and demand their rights, this has resulted into poor justice delivery and democratic accountability.
The Technical Specialist is required to support, coordinate and develop the Democratic Accountability Sub Sector, its policy and planning framework. To provide advice and support to the Democratic Governance Sector on all issues related to the Democratic Accountability Sub-Sector reforms in Malawi, all such advice being cognizant of the national democratic governance issues and the global context through solid expert analytical, coherent and quality advisory services, technical assistance, best practice and knowledge quality assurance on Democratic Accountability Sub-Sector matters.
Duties and Responsibilities
Policy Advice/Program Support:
* Policy Advice/Program Support Lead the demand-driven provision of policy and technical advisory services in the area of good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization responding to the needs of the Democratic Accountability Sub-Sector and the Democratic Governance Sector as a whole.
* Provide timely, relevant, expert and analytical policy advice and technical guidance on Democratic Accountability and collaborate substantively with all Sector institutions and partners to help achieve strategic goals in the democratic accountability programmes.
* Provide guidance and advice on operational issues including the identification of key challenges and recommendations to overcome them, strategies for coordination and supervision of work within the Democratic Accountability Sub-Sector, with the Justice Sub-Sector.
* Facilitate the engagement within the Sector between GoM agencies and all its partners, and promote synergies between them.
* Exercise quality assurance for policy services in the area of good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization, promote lessons/good practices and build knowledge to strengthen the capacity of all partners and to foster policy innovation to enhance program delivery.
Research and Content Development:
* Assist in undertaking studies and research as may be necessary to generate evidence and conduct analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to distil relevant lessons upon which the Sector can develop innovative concepts and to support decision-making.
* Research, develop and share knowledge based tools, such as policy positions, practice notes, concept papers and other research papers to help influence policy dialogue that promotes good governance, accountability, human rights respect, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization
Policy Development:
* Provide and facilitate evidence based development of the Democratic Governance policy and planning framework, and guidance on the Democratic Accountability Sub-Sector component.
* Provide substantive input into the design and development of the Sector Strategic Plan and contribute to the development on tools for its implementation.
* Provide guidance and participate in developing effective and coordinated strategies for reform in the area of good governance, public accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization and monitor to ensure that they are implemented.
* Contribute to the development of the Sector monitoring and evaluation system with particular emphasis in measuring improvements in democratic accountabilit.
Support to Practice Management/Coordination:
* Nurture the participatory process initiated by the Government of Malawi in developing a coordinated Democratic Governance Sector through a SWAp, by working closely with Institutions in the Sector, development partners, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation.
* Build and nurture knowledge management in the Sector and its partners in the area of good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization including cross cutting these e.g. gender equality, environment, HIV and Aids.
* Work closely and support all stakeholder participation to develop the policies, strategies, work plans, their monitoring and progress reporting in the Democratic Accountability sub-sector in line with its agreed program and the Sector’s strategic goals.
* Provide results reporting through regular progress reports to the Sector Working Group in the area of good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization to discuss at and facilitate the planning and decision making processes of the Sector.
* Facilitate GoM’s reform and policy shift towards use of SWAps and proactively support donor harmonization activities.
* Contribute to building partnerships with GoM’s stakeholders, intra and inter sectoral linkages with other relevant GoM Ministries and departments.
Practice Advocacy:
* Provide substantive and content leadership in Sector Working Group discussion and inter-agency coordination on promoting good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization.
* Represent the Sub Sector to advocate practice messages in district and national development fora.
* Advocate the importance of harmonized and coordinated approaches to good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization within the context of democratic governance with a view to deepen related commitment, reforms and enforcement mechanisms.
* Lead the design of material and promote initiatives for advocacy and policy dialogue in promoting good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization.
* Contribute to providing change and change management in the Sector and the Democratic Accountability Sub-Sector particularly;
Perform other duties, as required
Competencies
Vision
An in-depth understanding of the Sector’s strategic direction and ability to promote the vision and goals into a results-oriented work program.
Professionalism:
Proven expertise in program management and coordination; in-depth understanding of and an ability to evaluate democratic governance issues in developing countries; experience in multi stakeholder discussions and consensus building.
Leadership:
Proven ability to provide effective leadership in conceptualizing and conveying strategic vision through advice and guidance to others: ability to lead a service area and drive for results with substantial knowledge of results-based management.
Managing Complexity:
Ability to address national development issues relevant to promoting good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization and integrate knowledge with broader strategic policy and operational objectives; while also providing guidance and support to multiple stakeholders.
Planning and Organizing:
Proven ability to establish priorities and to plan, organize, coordinate and monitor own work plan; in-depth understanding of Sector’s strategic direction; sound judgment and decision-making skills.
Judgment/Decision-making:
Mature judgment and initiative; Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving issues/problems; ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives.
Creativity:
Ability to actively seek to improve programs/services, offer new, innovative and different options to solve problems and managing different stakeholder expectations and needs.
Communication:
Excellent and effective communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare analytical reports and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, making and defending recommendations; diplomacy and tact; ability to convey difficult issues and positions to a wide range of senior officials.
Teamwork:
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Negotiation Skills:
Demonstrated ability to understand stakeholder/client needs ad concerns, respond promptly and effectively, using effective negotiating skills; open to new ideas and ability to work with others to reach mutually benefiting and lasting understandings.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
* Masters Degree or equivalent in Law, Public Administration, Public Policy or other relevant areas such as sociology of law, anthropology with a focus on law, criminology or human rights.
Experience:
* Minimum 5 years experience in the Governance field within the public sector, including the ability to relate governance issues and institutional analysis to national development, and poverty reduction outcomes, particularly in the area of good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral processes and democratization.
* Experience of progressively responsible and substantive knowledge in supporting governance, particularly good governance, accountability, human rights, anti-corruption, electoral and democratization policy development, programming and implementation.
* Knowledge of governance issues and reforms in the context of Malawi and/or other sub-Saharan African countries will be an added advantage.
* Good understanding of SWAps and Sector based programming.
Language:
* Fluency in written and spoken English.
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.
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