UNDP National Expert Democratic Governance (National Assembly, Political Parties) Job Vacancy in Abuja, Nigeria

Background

Democratic governance
is a concept that emerged from principles based on the understanding that an
effective system of democratic governance is one which is based on
representative, equitable (across gender and other categories), transparent,
accountable and inclusive institutions; a vibrant, responsible and capable media;
and a dynamic civil society which is engaged in the political process. The
overall goal of the Democratic Governance for

Development Project (DGD) in
Nigeria is to help develop the capacity of national and sub-national
institutions, networks and processes, whether governmental or non-governmental,
as a contribution to the further entrenchment of democratic governance in
Nigeria.

Efforts on the
electoral cycle reinforce national efforts to build the norms, practices,
mechanisms and institutions that can foster active citizenship and stronger
democratic accountability, in keeping with the stated objectives of Government
policy. The project provides technical assistance to the Electoral Institute of
the Independent National Electoral Commission and State Independent Electoral
Commissions. In addition, the project works with civil society and other
democratic institutions to help them maximize public participation and
confidence in the outcome of elections.

Work on broader
issues of democratic governance helps build the norms, practices and
institutions that can underpin the development of democratic governance in
Nigeria over the medium- to long-term whilst also supporting near-term action
on pressing issues such constitutional and electoral reform. The project, with
the support made available through a joint donor fund established to provide
assistance to Nigerian democratic institutions, primarily technical assistance
and financing for capacity development linked to practical outcomes in a number
of areas: legislature, election management bodies, political parties, civil
society, media, gender equality in politics.

The contributors to
the project are the European Commission, the UK Department for International
Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the
Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations
Development Program (UNDP). A Project Management Unit (PMU) runs the project
under the leadership of the UNDP.

Under the strategic
direction of the Project Director, the supervision of the International Expert
Democratic Governance and working in close coordination with UNDP’s Capacity
for Governance Team Leader and development partners, the National Expert on
Democratic Governance National Assembly (NASS) and Political Parties (PP) will
support and provide expert services in negotiations, identification of
priorities, preparation of relevant documents, implementation of activities and
follow up support for management and continued partnership development to the
project on behalf of UNDP.

Duties
and Responsibilities

Under the direct
supervision of the International Expert Democratic Governance, the National
Expert will carry out the following tasks:

Advise the International Expert on
matters of democratic governance (manage the NASS and PP components and
build partnerships in those areas);
Coordinate with other partners in
these areas, forge relationships, mobilize resources also through the
relevant Sectoral Working Group;
Any other duties as assigned by
the international expert and/or Project Director.

Advice to the
International Expert on matters of democratic governance focusing on
achievement of the following results:

Input to the advice given by the
International Expert on Democratic Governance to UNDP, JDBF partners,
other national institutions, beneficiaries and sub-contractors;
Provision of substantive inputs to
the DGD project on the democratic governance component of the project to
advise the Project Management Board in its strategic planning and
decision-making;
Effective supervision and
achievement of deliverables from all democratic governance related
activities.

Manage NASS and PP
components and build relationships focusing on the achievement of the following
results:

Supporting the International
Expert in coordinating all activities relating to the NASS and PP
components of the project;
Drafting of work-plans,
timelines and budget for NASS and PP activities for debating by project,
country office and donor partners;
Drafting of terms of reference for
calling for proposals for NASS & PP related activities, follow their
selection, prepare and manage agreements with consultants and democratic
organizations for specified services and objectives in collaboration with
the international expert;
Effective monitoring and
evaluation of NASS and PP related project activities thereby ensuring
value for money;
Assisting the international expert
in building a robust and healthy relationship with partner institutions
like the NASS and PP as well as ensure synergy between the democratic
institutions and the project.

Coordination with
what other partners do in these areas, forge relationships, mobilize resources
also through Component Sectoral Working Group focusing on the achievement of the
following results:

Assisting the international expert
in coordinating the PMU programme on National Assembly and Political
Parties with other development partners’ work with the same democratic
institutions. The coordination is to help prevent overlap or duplication
of programme activities;
Liaison with NASS and PP in
order to ensure healthy working relationships;
Helping to mobilize resources
through sectoral working group;
Development and nurturing of
broader partnerships in the areas of democratic governance and elections
communicate and advocate the international partners’ positions and engage
with Nigerian partners effectively.

Take on any other
assigned responsibilities focusing on the achievement of the following result:

Enhancement of team work for the
achievement of overall project goals and objectives.

Competencies

Corporate
Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling
the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the shared vision,
mission and strategic goals of the partners supporting the initiative;
Displays strong cultural, gender,
religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without
favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Proven competence in the field of
democratic governance, well-informed on both electoral and broader
democratic governance issues such as legislative development, the role and
potential of mass and community media, civil society in emerging democratic
societies, and the participation and role of women in politics.
Comfortable with full range of sub-sectors within the project, although
possibly more knowledgeable and experienced in some areas. S/he should
have a strong grasp of the strategic, policy and nuts-and-bolts issues
involved in capacity development in the area of democratic governance;
Ability to appreciate and respond
productively to the challenges faced in leading a high-risk initiative in
a politically challenging environment. Ability to maintain calm and poise
in high pressure and sometimes provocative situations as well as apply
skills in mediation and consensus-building;
Solid academic background and
demonstrated abilities in analysis of complex political situations and
providing strategic advice, while maintaining personal detachment;
Proven managerial experience in an
international context and ability to lead teams. Proven ability to make
sound decisions in delegation of responsibilities and in finding a balance
between a focus on detail and keeping an eye on the big picture.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive
attitude;
Strong inter-personal
communications and diplomatic skills, with an ability to listen,
understand and respond effectively to different and divergent points of
view expressed by a wide range of stakeholders. Ability to build strong
relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client
and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to establish priorities
and to plan, coordinate and monitor work plans. Proven ability to work
under pressure and produce output that is accurate, timely and of high
quality. Ability to manage conflicting priorities;
Ability to understand and apply
tools such as the logical framework, results-based approaches like UNDP’s
RBM and PRINCE2. Solid knowledge and experience of project management.
Ability to support and provide oversight to strategic planning,
results-based management and reporting;
Resourcefulness, good
interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic
environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Demonstrated
ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with and
between different levels and types of project personnel and counterparts.

Required
Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree
(Masters or PhD) in areas of democratic governance and development
including Law, Political Science, and other social sciences.

Experience:

A minimum of 2 years post Masters
experience in planning and implementing NASS and/or PP related activities
in the context of electoral reforms and democratic process;
Work experience in democratic
governance, including electoral issues, dealing with: (a) policy dialogue
and advisory work; (b) leadership and management of research and analysis;
(c) design and execution of capacity development programmes; (d) project
management, including the leadership of multi-disciplinary expert teams,
preferably funded by development partners (UN or other); and (e) promotion
of stakeholder/community awareness of and participation in democratic
governance;
A good understanding of the
social, economic, political and historical trends underpinning African
and, ideally, Nigerian governance and electoral processes;
Excellent knowledge of election
procedures and frameworks;
Proven track record of advising,
organizing and supervising public awareness activities partnering with
democratic organizations capacity-building projects;
Skills in training, process
facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership-building;
Excellent PC user skills: word
processing, spreadsheets, databases and web-based research;
Ability to travel within Nigeria
and overseas.

Language
Requirements:

Strong written communication in
English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports;
Excellent spoken English is
required as well as fluency in one Nigerian language

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.

ClickHere to Apply

Closing
Date: Sunday, 08 January 2012