Parliamentary Development Officer

Contract

This is a NPSA-9 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-9 contracts.

Background

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

On January 28th, 2021, the Parliament of Nauru enacted the Parliamentary Service Act 2020 and will come into force with effect from 01 July 2021. The enactment of the legislation is a key feature of strengthening the capacity of the Nauru Parliament to effectively undertake its legislative, oversight and representative roles.

The objectives of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020 are to:

• facilitate the separation of powers of the Legislature and the constitutional autonomy of the Parliament as a branch of the Government.
• provide administrative and functional efficiency of the services provided for the operations of the Parliament;
• provide a framework for the employment, leadership and management of employees of the Office and for the good governance of the administration of the Parliament; and
• provide for the financial and budgetary mechanisms for Parliamentary purposes.

The recently enacted legislation follows on from the support provided by UNDP Pacific Office since 2018 to the Parliament of Nauru, to consider options for achieving the realisation of Parliamentary autonomy. To support the Parliament of Nauru in its preparation for the implementation of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020, the UNDP Pacific Office, under the Nauru Inclusive and Accountable Governance Project, is supplementing the capacities of the Office of Parliamentary Services, with staff from other parliaments (called the Transition team) in the pacific region as part of the interparliamentary cooperation to assist with the planning and implementation of activities for achieving the realisation of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020. In line with the visions of the Act, the work that is needed to be undertaken has been divided into 3 workstreams: (i)staffing and employment, (ii) financial provisions (iii) asset management/general administration.

In this regard, UNDP is seeking to recruit experienced a Parliamentary Officer on secondment from a partner parliament in the Pacific, to be part of the transition team to assist the work stream related to ‘****financial provision’.

The Parliamentary Officer will work closely with Clerk of the Nauru Parliament, Finance Manager and Project Manager (NAIG) support the work related to the ‘financial provision’ of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020. A key focus of this work is the formulation and operationalization of the Nauru Parliament budget 2022-2023.

With the lifting of COVID 19 restriction. The position is expected to home based with possible travel to Yaren, Nauru. When the Parliamentary Officer is home based, he/she is expected to regularly connect via online platforms with the Nauru parliament team and other members of the transition team and UNDP from 8am – 5pm Nauru time (GMT+12).

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide support and assistance to the Parliament of Nauru undertake work in the ‘financial provision’ workstream by:

• Provide technical lead to the Nauru Parliament with the compilation of its 2022-2023 budget submission
• Provide technical lead in operationalizing the Parliament budget once approved
• Advice the Strategic Plan consultant and Nauru Parliament on how to translate strategies into financial plans and operations
• Provide technical advice to the Nauru Parliament on how to implement and adhere to the financial policies and guidelines as required by the “Parliamentary Service (Financial Provision) Regulation 2020”.
• In consultation with the Clerk, facilitate capacity building sessions for relevant staff on the Financial Provision of the Act
• Provide advice to the Clerk on matters necessary for the operation of the Act as it relates to the financial provisions
• Performs other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Clerk of the Nauru parliament

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Required Skills and Experience

V. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

• University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Commerce, Accounting

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (07) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, administration, public administration, business administration, risk management or related area is required.
• A minimum of five (5) year of working with a parliament to lead a multidisciplinary team to translates its strategies into financial plans and operations.
• Proven experience in leading the developing mechanism, processes and standard operating procedures related to finance processes and responsibilities.
• Experience in cost management, budget formulation, financial monitoring, accounting, audit, financial reporting or other related areas is required.
• P****roven e****xperience in undertaking capacity building on topics related to public finance processes and responsibilities
• Excellent writing, communication and organization skills;
• Excellent team working skills;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• High level of accuracy and reliability.

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of verbal and written English.