Local Governance Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

UNDP’s work contributes to the aim of the UN Development Assistance Framework to address root causes of poor governance in Malawi, through supporting governance institutions at all levels to harmonize legal and organizations frameworks, strengthen data systems for enhanced accountability, strengthen gender and human rights frameworks, civic engagement and participation and early warning systems.

Pillar 1 of the UNDP Governance Portfolio strategic framework focuses on Effective, Accountable and Responsive Institutions and target critical MDAs at both central and decentralized levels that provide essential service delivery to the citizens. Efficient and effective public service delivery inevitably lies centrally as a both a driver and conduit for development. The Country’s Vision places heightened demand for the achievement of a well performing public service that facilitates the achievement of the aspirations of Malawi 2063 at both central and decentralized levels of government.

Under the overall guidance Programme Analyst for Public Sector Management and Accountable Governance and the supervision of the Governance Portfolio Manager, the Local Governance Officer will be responsible for providing technical and programmatic support in the Local Governance and Public Sector Reforms thematic areas. The Local Governance Officer will support efforts in the strategic planning and the identification of new programme opportunities within these thematic areas while ensuring consistency with UNDAF/ CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The incumbent will contribute to the promotion and observation of the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy particularly with regard to the mainstreaming of HIV and gender equality in all programmes and projects under her/his management.

The Local Governance Officer will support the implementation of all district-focused interventions and will work closely with the District Councils and respective line Ministries. She/he will also work closely with UNDP´s programme staff, the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies and Government officials as well as civil society ensuring successful implementation of interventions of Pillar 1 Governance interventions.

He/she will be dynamic, creative, and willing to work as part of an international team.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Analyst for Public Sector Management and Accountable Governance or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Local Governance Officer will:

Support the implementation and day-to-day oversight of UNDP Malawi’s local governance and public sector reform programming.

Provide technical and coordination support to UNDP initiatives related to decentralization, local governance and public sector reforms in target districts.

Provide technical leadership, advice and support on programme strategies, design, and implementation of local governance and public sector reform programming within UNDP and in partnership with UN, government and development partners.

Advise on policy issues that emerge related to local governance and public sector reform programming.

Provide advisory support to ensure that the larger policy framework is conducive to decentralization, local governance, public sector innovation and reform, and local economic development.

Provide advice and technical support to specialists working on local governance and public sector reform.

Liaise and coordinate activities with UNDP partners, including donors, UNDP R/HQ and other UN Agencies.

Identify strategic areas for increased support to local governance and public sector reforms.

Identify and develop new knowledge products, tools and processes to better employ comparative advantages of UNDP in Malawi.

Support in political-economic analysis and research, preparation of substantive inputs to programmatic interventions.

Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day)

Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.

Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.

Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.

Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.

Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients.

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age.

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

local governance, public sector reforms or decentralization, or other relevant programmes

Experience with digital governance and data systems is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.

Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.

Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.

Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.

Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. However, the successful candidates will be supported with a monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA).