Background:
UNDP's Democratic Governance Group (DGG) is focusing on enhancing the capacity of the state to make it more responsive, capable, and inclusive. The genuine participation of all citizens in political processes is a cornerstone of democratic governance. UNDP fosters inclusive participation and civic engagement, placing high priority on under-represented segments of society such as the poor, women, indigenous peoples and minorities. Vibrant and vigorous democracies are developed and sustained through inclusive participation, which also advances achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The presence of an effective parliamentary institution is strongly correlated with the existence of a viable democracy and an open society. Parliaments are fundamental to representing the people’s will, establishing the rule of law, protecting human rights, overseeing transparent governance processes, and ensuring compliance with international obligations. UNDP provides technical assistance to more than 70 parliaments around the world in their efforts to: build the capacity of legislators and technical staff; promote institutional reform, political dialogue and conflict prevention; strengthen parliaments' relationships with the executive and judiciary branches of government and with civil society; improve access to parliamentary information for the population and the media; and enhance the effectiveness of women’s role and participation among parliaments through internal reforms and exchanges.
UNDP’s parliamentary development portfolio comprises activities rooted at the global, regional and national levels. Strategic support to national parliaments, promoting inclusive and participative political institutions and engaging parliaments on key MDG’s and crisis prevention issues are at the core of UNDP’s activities, with a dedicated focus on women and youth. At the regional level, UNDP supports parliamentary working groups to develop new avenues for dialogue on sensitive topics and agree on regional benchmarks. Globally, web-based social networks invite the exchange of information and ideas. Two cutting-edge tools are iKNOW Politics (www.iknowpolitics.org) for the political empowerment of women and Agora (www.agora-parl.org), the portal for parliamentary development. UNDP also works with its partners to develop regional and global benchmarks for democratic parliaments and to create cutting-edge knowledge products on parliamentary development.
Competencies
CORE VALUES / GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
Integrity:
Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UNDP in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing Dversity:
Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity.
CORPORATE COMPETENCIES:
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP and the UN;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:
Technical/Functional:
- Substantive knowledge and understanding of parliamentary development as well as more broadly, inclusive participation, with an
emphasis on the provision of coordinated support and management of strategic programmes to advance parliamentary development;
- Substantive knowledge and understanding of energy and environment, including specific knowledge with regard to access to sustainable
energy and renewable energy;
- Experience in the implementation of a project or programme in the field of environment or energy;
- Substantive knowledge and experience in management of rights based programmes;
- Ability to carry out research, to contribute to the formulation of policies, procedures and guidelines.
Management and Leadership:
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge Management and Learning:
- Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
- Ability to conduct advocacy, and to support the development of programme communications strategies for sharing good practices and
successful strategies;
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies
newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
- Ability to lead the formulation and monitoring of management projects;
- Solid knowledge of financial and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication
technology, general administration;
- Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and positively affect staff
behavioural/attitudinal change.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s Degree in Law, Environmental Science or Social Science (International relations, International Development studies, environmental or energy policy, human rights and/or gender studies).
Experience:
- A minimum of five years of relevant experience in development work and particularly on issues of democratic governance and
parliamentary development, with a particular focus on fragility, women’s political empowerment, accountability mechanisms or climate
change;
- Experience in the implementation of a project or programme in the field of environment or energy;
- Experience in programme development, management/coordination, monitoring and evaluation, as well as knowledge management;
- Knowledge of UNDP result-based management and UNDP procurement rules an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Excellent written and spoken English and French;
- Working ability in a third UN language is an asset.
Deadline: 3 May 2012
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