UNDP Liberia

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. UNDP/ALD/2006/001

Post Title : Senior Governance and Institutional Reform Specialist

Post Level : A4

Organization : United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Duty Station : Monrovia, Liberia (With constant travel up country)
Non-family duty station (APA Dakar)

Duration : Six (6) Months with possibility of extension

Focal Point : Om Prakash Dhawan (onprakash.Dhawan@undp.org)

Type of Contract : ALD/4

Start Date : End of April 2006

Advertised on : 1 April 2006

Deadline : 15 April 2006

This vacancy is open to applicants of either sex. Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates.

BACKGROUND:

Liberia is just emerging from 14 years of civil war, which among other things has shattered the governance system. The war is primarily attributed to consistent bad governance for over a century. The peace agreement signed in August 2003 in Accra, by all the warring factions in the Liberian conflict, provided for among other things, the establishment of the Governance Reform Commission (GRC). The Goal of the programme put in place by the GRC is to develop the foundation for promoting, sustaining and ensuring good governance in post-war Liberia. The recent elections in Liberia in October and November 2005 ushered in a democratic and competitively elected Presidency and legislature. One of the main priorities of the new political dispensation of Liberia is strengthening democratic governance based on the principles of meritocracy, participation of citizenry, accountability and transparency.

The UNDP Governance programme, one of the key thrusts of the Liberia Country Office programme framework, has the following objectives:

*To contribute to the on-going post-war national reconstruction and development efforts in Liberia, with specific emphasis on good governance and sound economic management;

* Arising from the above, to strengthen public institutions/organizations responsible for economic management, public sector reforms and gender empowerment, so as to make them more efficient, transparent and accountable in the performance of their onerous functions; and

* Support the government of Liberia in restoring capacity (technical and logistical) for the effective and efficient operation of the government institutions and agencies in collaboration with other donors

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Advisor will be expected to provide regular updates and written reports and recommendations to the Country Director and DRR (P) on design and implementation of programme and project interventions under the Governance programme, s/he will be responsible for partnership building and resource mobilization as well as providing advice on strengthening policy advise and programme support under the Governance Unit.

Specific duties include:

Working with the Assistant Resident Representative/Governance, and reporting through the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), the Senior Advisor will provide advice to the Country Director. Specifically, she/he will:

* Provide substantive technical advice to the Governance Reform Commission in policy formulation and development of strategies;

* Support resource mobilization, partnership building and knowledge sharing to support the work of GRC and related institutions in strengthening the rule of law, parliamentary development and anti-corruption efforts;

* Provide high-level policy advice, capacity building guidance and knowledge communication on a range of governance issues with a specific focus on strengthening democratic process and participatory development;

* Ensure that issues related to improved governance are systematically addressed in UNDP strategic programming and management tools (e.g. ROAR, evaluation processes, CCA, UNDAF) and other inter-agency coordination and management tools;

* Analyse the social, gender and political situation and trends in the country and provide advice on need for programmatic support to enhance measures to promote good governance;

* Support the design of a framework to strengthen political accountability – whether between Government and civil society; within Government; or between Government and development partners;

* Identifying the steps that UNDP/the UN can pursue with partners to strengthen accountability and organisational capacity in key institutions including constitutional bodies, Parliament and civil society;

*Recommending steps that UNDP/the UN can take to support a more results-oriented and effective approach by development partners to strengthening governance arrangements and public sector reform in Liberia, including through new mutual accountability mechanisms between government and development partners;

* Formulate technical support and capacity building programmes to enhance government capacity for good government, conflict management and gender inclusive national reconciliation and rehabilitation;

* Build strategic alliances and partnerships and maintain close liaison with relevant Government institutions, UN Agencies, UN Mission, international donors, civil society and other non-state actors supporting UNDP’s governance related efforts; and

* In close collaboration with the UNDP gender focal point and UNIFEM formulate gender inclusive and responsive programmes to strengthen the competencies of state and on-state institutions and organizations in their participation in the process of strengthening governance.

THE CONSULTANT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

* Masters Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field;

EXPERIENCE:

* Minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years working experience in similar or related fields;

* Solid and proven experience in political governance, including the work of accountability institutions, Parliament and Civil Society participation;

* Substantive knowledge of issues and challenges in the area in political governance in Africa and Liberia in particular;

* Familiarity with the development scene and the ‘simplification, harmonization and alignment’ agenda in the post-Paris Declaration aid environment; and

* Full awareness of and sensitivity to local culture, customs and traditions.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

* Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, IT packages;

* Knowledge of and commitment to the principles and mandate of UNDP;

*Must be self-starter with excellent demonstrated teamwork skills;

* Sound judgment, excellent analytical skills, strong networking and interpersonal skills, ability to plan, organize and coordinate work and to cope with a demanding workload is expected; and

* Excellent communication, analytical and evaluation skills.

LANGUAGES:

* Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of one of the regional languages will be an asset.

Email application to this vacancy should be sent to vacancies.lr@undp.org. Please insert Vacancy Announcement Number in the Subject of the email or written application. Applications without the Vacancy Announcement Number or with the incorrect Vacancy Announcement Number will not be accepted. Attach CV and photocopies of qualifications (i.e. technical certificates) and a one-page cover letter indicating your interest and suitability for the position.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

 

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Note: All applications/queries must be addressed to: vacancies.lr@undp.org
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.