Reporting directly to the UNDP Country Director and working in close daily cooperation and collaboration with the UNDP Outcome Lead, the Technical Specialist will contribute to the development, implementation and management of the joint work of the Outcome Group on Democratic Governance, Human Rights and Gender Equality under the United Nations Development Assistance Plan II (UNDAP II) for 2016-2021. In particular, the Technical Specialist will support the Lead of the Governance Outcome Group, who is UNDP’s Programme Specialist for Democratic Governance and Head of Governance Pillar. As part of such duties, the Technical Specialist will engage with national counterparts, as well as UN agencies, development partners and NGOs. Will link up with the World Bank support to data collection and other major actors in this area, as well as supporting an increased engagement of the United Nations in the Development Partners’ Working Group on Democratic Governance.

1. Ensure the coordination of the Governance Outcome Group, through supporting UNDP’s Programme Specialist in Governance who is the Lead of that Group, and promote consensus building among members of the Outcome Group;
2. Promote harmonization and cohesion among UN agencies active in the Outcome Group, by ensuring synergies, complementarity and consistency across initiatives from participating UN agencies. Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate in the planning and implementation of activities of the Outcome Group;
3. Provide advice on how to enhance operational-level coordination (who does what where), including ensuring that meetings proceedings are taken and are of high quality;
4. Advise on UN alignment with national priorities and best international practice where appropriate, advise on how best the UN Programming Principles are mainstreamed in the Outcome group’s processes, roles and responsibilities, and joint programmes in line with UN DaO guidelines;  
5. Advise on how to promote the articulation of joint strategies where possible, including possibly building up a Joint Programme on Access to Justice with a systems perspective;
6. Using a “whole of governance approach”, provide thematic analysis on governance/justice related issues, and monitor trends in governance/justice sector to inform the work of the Outcome Group. Ensure that the human rights and gender dimension are duly incorporated therein, with a view to enhancing the work, efficiency and impact of the Outcome Group;
7. Lead the development of knowledge management strategies, methodologies and products relevant to the thematic area and the Outcome group;
8. Provide technical advice to the Lead of the Outcome group in consolidating UNDAP II annual and final narrative reports provided by different agencies to be shared with the TRG chair for review. Where appropriate, provide capacity building training to different agencies to produce high-quality and results-orientated reports. And support development of communication/dissemination material and storyline inputs to be shared with UNCG;
9. Provide advice and share good practices on effective coordination in developing Joint Work Plans, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation;
10. Provide technical advice on how best Human Rights-based programming should be mainstreamed in all governance projects within the UNDAP and Joint Programmes. Advise on the quality engagement with Human Rights institutions and Civil Society Organizations including the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed in all joint programmes and projects; 
11. Develop and contribute to the implementation of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies and contribute to resource mobilization for the purpose of joint initiatives under the Outcome Group, including multi-lateral and bilateral donor community outreach. Analyze and research information on donors, finalize substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identify opportunities for cost-sharing;
12. As a UNDP Staff member, the Technical Specialist for the Democratic Governance, Human Rights and Gender Equality Outcome Group will also perform other tasks related to project objectives as requested by the UNDP Country Director.
     
     

Competencies
 
Core
 
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them
 
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers
 
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Level 
5: Models high professional standards and motivate excellence in others
 
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others
 
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgment
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy/practice and contributes to the enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions
 
 
Technical/Functional
 
Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Knowledge Management
Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Gender and Institutional Development
Knowledge of systems for gender mainstreaming and capacity development and interagency collaboration and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Monitoring and Evaluation
Knowledge of methodologies, assessment tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Management and Coordination
Ability to manage and coordinate campaigns and people with inspiration. Believe in and promote diversity in the workplace and reshaping the workforce to meet need.
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Strategic Planning 
Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission Level 
5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Trends and emerging areas analytics 
Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
 
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in a related field of expertise, such as law, human rights, political science, public administration, development studies, international affairs. 
   

Experience:

• 7 years’ professional experience and demonstrated understanding in a governance / rule of law / justice and human rights related-work and related fields such as access to justice. Prior advisory experience in one or more of these sectors is required;
• Demonstrated experience in project implementation and monitoring and evaluation;
• Knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Delivering as One (DaO) and technical expertise related thereto an asset;
• Experience in coordination and design/implementation of rule of law/ good governance / Human Rights projects and Joint Programmes, demonstrated expertise on coordination and designing of rule of law/governance projects. Experience of working with national counterparts and partners on good governance and Human Rights issues;
• Understanding of United Nations’ policy and programmatic approaches, including Results Based Management and Human
• Rights Based Approach to Development;
• Knowledge of cross-cutting, including gender equality, human rights and Sustainable Development Goals;
• Excellent communication and writing skills;
• Interpersonal skills and ability to works a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team;
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Language Requirements:
• Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili is an asset
   

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.