Senior Programme Specialist

This position is open for Nepalese Nationals Only UNDP Nepal through its governance programme supports the Constituent Assembly in the constitution-drafting process, and the Government in strengthening local government for effective service delivery, building democratic institutions such as the Courts, Election Commission, National Human Rights Commission and the CA secretariat and is increasingly investing in preparing the ground for a smooth transition from a unitary system to a federal system of governance. UNDP has six major ongoing projects under the governance portfolio with an annual budget of around 10 million USD. The portfolio is expected to expand once the implementation phase of the new constitution begins whilst at the same time efforts are underway to streamline the portfolio to only four major programmes in the areas of (1) public administration (2) state restructuring (3) local governance and (4) rule of law. This position is directly responsible for the anticipated state restructuring programme, and has supervisory responsibility for the public administration programme. The main role of the Senior Programme Specialist is to develop, manage and ensure timely and quality results achievement of the state restructuring programme, including continued monitoring of implementation. The Senior Programme Specialist is also responsible for coordinating and undertaking all oversight, quality and fiduciary assurance regarding the Programme. Additionally, the Specialist will keep abreast of key political developments and trends related to Governance in Nepal in order to ensure that the programme is fully attuned to and responsive to changes in the environment. The quality assurance covers both substantive matters - ensuring timely quality strategic results, as well as ensuring UNDP policies, procedures and rules are followed at all times. The Specialist reports to the Assistant Country Director for Governance and will work closely with the ACD in strategic planning of the Governance Portfolio, identifying potential new strategic programming areas while ensuring consistency with the UN Development Assistance Framework / Country Programme Document priorities. The Specialist is expected to provide top quality advice to Government and partners and contributes to knowledge building and management. The Specialist will supervise 3 staff (2 Programme Officers and one Programme Assistant) and will work in close collaboration with the wider Governance team, and other partners both in UNDP and beyond. Special attention will be given to strengthening and maintaining partnership with other UN agencies. S/he provides regular guidance, coaching and mentoring to the Programme team under her/his responsibility within the Governance portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Under the guidance of the Assistant Country Director/Governance, ensures the strategic direction and positioning of the UNDP Governance programming portfolio focusing on achievement of the following results: Thorough research and analysis of the political, social and economic situation in relation to Governance reform, with particular attention to state restructuring and public administration Reform. Collaborative preparation/revision of key corporate programme management tools Identification of strategic areas of intervention in relation to UNDP’s support for Governance reform. Operationalization of UNDAF/CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming. Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies related to Governance reform and their implementation in the CO. Active contribution to CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management. 2. Ensures effective development, management and oversight of the Governance Programme focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results: Effective application of Results Based Management (RBM) tools, establishment of management targets Balance Score Card and ensuring and monitoring achievement of results. Design and formulation of strategic CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones Strategic planning, budgeting, implementing, guidance and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. The Programme Specialist performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval. Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme. Leadership in preparation for audit and timely follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported to ACD-Programme/Senior Management. Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports. Timely cost-recovery for the services provided by the CO to programmes in close collaboration with Country Office Finance team. Active collaboration with the Project Implementation Support Unit (PISU) to ensure timely and quality delivery of development support services. Active identification and promotion of programmatic collaboration between the Country Office’s programme thematic focus areas. 3. Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results: Contribution to and implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes. Identification, development and management of strategic partnerships with UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society, academia etc. Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities. Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing. Regular and ad-hoc results based reports to donors as required. 4. As a senior technical expert ensures proactive provision of top quality advisory services, knowledge products and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results: Key partners (Government, CSOs as well as Donors) receive technical and policy advice related to Governance reform. An updated list of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals. An updated compilation of critical and relevant technical and policy material in the programmatic area. Development of specialized policy advisory papers, white papers, analysis. Development of high level technical knowledge products. Facilitation and coordination of development of policies that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners. Facilitation of the generation of knowledge products by the Programme team Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Active participation in strategic advisory groups in the country. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners. Quality and strategic contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme. Active collaboration with UNDP/UN policy networks, advisors, centres and development of specialized technical networks. Active contributions to the Country Office’s Advisory Group and close collaboration with the Country Office’s senior advisors to maximize the relevance and quality of the policy advisory services. 5. Provides effective leadership, management and supervision of the programme team achieving the following results Develop in a collaborative way the Programme vision in line with the overall Country Office strategy. Ensuring timely programme results through the team Ensuring and monitoring full compliance with quality standards and rules Setting clear results and assessing performance of team members Ensuring constructive and conducive work environment including conflict management Promoting staff skills and technical knowledge development through coaching, mentoring and encouraging staff learning and participation in specialized knowledge networks.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example 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 formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit Good ICT skills, knowledge of corporate computerized management systems Ability to implement new systems Management and Leadership Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback Excellent inter-personal skills Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills Ability to exercise a high level of political astuteness and sensitivity and sound judgement Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree from a recognised university or equivalent in Political Sciences, Economics, Management, Development Studies, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Law or related field. Experience: At least five years’ of Sr. level program development, partnership building and institutional collaboration experience at the national or international level. Experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Relevant experience and expertise in the field of Governance reform Understanding of and experience working in capacity building of Government CSOs and Democratic institutions Proven record and extensive experience in establishing and maintaining relationships with UN agencies, international organisations and national governments. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems. Language Requirements: Fluency in written and oral English and Nepali

Senior Programme Specialist