Programme Manager - Integrated Governance Programme (Development Project Fund) , Male

Since the introduction of a multi-party democracy in the Maldives, significant progress has been made despite sudden political changes and tensions. The first multi-party elections in 2008 brought in the first democratically elected government after 30 years of rule by one President. The new constitution also has institutionalized the unprecedented separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. However, the development of effective and inclusive governance institutions and processes, consolidation of the rule of law, and the evolution of an informed civil society and an independent, professional media remain in their formative stages. There is enormous pressure on fledgling institutions at local and national levels to maintain stability, safeguard human security, deliver services and peacefully manage change. An unexpected transfer of power in February 2012 ushered in a new administration led by a coalition of former opposition parties, and illustrated the significant challenges facing the country in its nascent democratic transition. The events highlighted the delicate state of the country’s governing bodies, exacerbated an ongoing political stand-off, and aggravated already tense inter-group relations. The development of effective and inclusive governance institutions and processes, consolidation of the rule of law and the evolution of an informed civil society and an independent, professional media remain in their formative stages. A looming economic crisis and the prospect of severe financial constraints in the public sector suggest the need for urgent, and inevitably unpopular, reforms. The overall context is one of deep structural problems which create immediate and long-term risks of heightened political and social strain, and raises the potential for conflict. The institutions and the people of Maldives need the support of its international partners to continue on its recovery and march towards consolidating democracy and development. The integrated programme developed by UNDP Maldives seeks to directly respond to this need and seize the current opportunity to deepen democracy in the Maldives through strengthening institutions and empowering people. UNDP has gained valuable experiences in working with partners in government both at national and local levels and civil society sectors in the Maldives through nine separate projects. After a careful review of these projects, UNDP is now bringing in a timely and unique management approach through a strategic programme that seeks to achieve the following three coordinated programme results: Programme Result 1: National and local level institutional capacities strengthened to ensure transparency and accountability and for supporting democratic consolidation and processes. Programme Result 2: Equitable access to justice increased and rule of law strengthened through support to the justice and security sector and promotion of human rights. Programme Result 3: Enabling environment created and strengthened for enhanced social cohesion through inclusive and participatory decision making and development Specific priority areas include: building capacities of the parliament, independent commissions and local authorities for more effective governance, delivery of public goods and provisions of basic services; developing national capacity for research, analysis and evidence-based policy-making to ensure essential technical knowledge and information to advance democratic reforms; supporting the Elections Commission and key stakeholders (including civil society actors and the media) to ensure peaceful and participatory electoral processes; promoting more deliberative and cross-party legislative processes in the parliament; building the capacity of the judiciary, related legal institutions and civil society organisations to improve access to justice and act as watchdog institutions; facilitating local-level dialogue through new capacities and participatory mechanisms, engaging and supporting all relevant stakeholders (including women, youth, media and NGOs); and enabling inclusive governance processes to reduce tensions in society, build social cohesions and promote consultation and broad-based decision-making. The programme will be directly implemented by UNDP programme implementation unit under the oversight of the UNDP Programme Unit and quality assurance by the Programme Board. Within this support effort, UNDP Maldives wishes to hire a Chief Technical Advisor/Programme Manager to support the implementation of a multi-donor supported Programme on Democratic Governance. For each result area, there will be a national project coordinator/manager, who will be responsible for day-to-day running of the activities outlined under each area. Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), and day to day guidance of the Assistant Resident Representative/Governance (ARR) , the Chief Technical Advisor/Programme Manager will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities: Ensure timely and effective delivery of intended programme results and manage for results; Based upon the Results Resources Framework (RRF) develop detailed annual work plans for the programme in consultation with all partner institutions; Provide overall guidance to and support coordination of partners involved in the implementation of the three programme result areas through supervision and guidance to project coordinators; Provide policy and technical advice to UNDP management and the core Institutions of the programme, based on their programme objectives and related capacities; Provide supervision and technical direction to national programme staff with regard to their work plans; Draft regular (quarterly and annual) progress reports as per UNDP requirements and also per requirements agreed upon with funding agencies, as well as recommendations on new actions and approaches should the need arise; Support UNDP efforts of resources mobilization, including planning and costing project inputs; briefing donors, and preparing donor progress reports as required by UNDP reporting rules and as requested by specific donors. Functions / Expected Results: Coordination and Communication: The Chief Technical Advisor/Programme Manager will: Provide technical advice to the programme team to strengthen partnerships building and coordination between the programme and government partners, CSOs, donors and other stakeholders, as well as facilitating communication and exchange of lessons learned and good practices; Contribute to the establishment of user friendly knowledge sharing platform as included in the programme framework. Guide development and implementation of the communication and outreach strategy to ensure adequate programme visibility and awareness in relation to implementation and achievements. Ensure that programme activities are closely coordinated with the stakeholders – both national and international – and that a high level of collaboration and cooperation is in place at all levels. Programme Management and Leadership: The Chief Technical Advisor/Programme Manager will: Lead the effective implementation of programme activities in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations; Lead and manage a team of national staff, including project coordinators and administrative support staff,to ensure achievement of the programme objectives and compliance with UNDP rules and regulations; Ensure that systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating the Programme's delivery of agreed results (e.g. development and management of the M&E plan) and lead monitoring and evaluation work in accordance with the UNDP norms and standards; Develop agenda, organize and lead agenda, follow up and coordinate, together with national partners, donors and development partners, the conduct of periodic Programme Board meetings, prepare and present required documentation and analytical reports to the Board and undertake follow up on the Board decisions and recommendations.; Provide technical advice and quality assurance on the work of the implementing partners, monitoring and evaluation and reporting functions; Maintain regular working relationships with UNDP Democratic Governance Unit and other UNDP programmes to ensure overall integration of the Democratic Governance activities within the Country Office programme and UNDAF; Assess the impact, effectiveness and relevance of the Programme interventions through regular field visits and highlight achievements, progress and challenges through impact and results-driven reports; Provide and identify expert technical advice on governance-related issues; Be responsible for quality assurance of technical deliverables from experts/consultants, contractors, implementing partners and programme staff, and provide them with substantive feedback and guidance; Support strategic positioning of UNDP by identifying emerging governance issues and response options.; and Develop and manage risk logs for the Programme; Support the audit of the programme; Carry out any other relevant duties and responsibilities as requested by the UNDP Senior Management. Resource mobilization and fund management: The Chief Technical Advisor/Programme Manager will: Contribute to mobilize resources to fill funding gaps of the programme and expand implementation; Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, for all resources managed by the Programme accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Knowledge Building and Sharing: The Chief Technical Advisor/Programme Manager will: Support the Programme in the identification of knowledge gaps among Programme staff, target groups and beneficiaries and design measures to address such gaps; Actively support the sharing of Programme results and products, lessons learned and good practices with other Programmes, government agencies, donors, etc.; and, Participate in UNDP global knowledge networks.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda Analysis and creation of messages and strategies Creates effective advocacy strategies Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses Results-Based Programme Development and Management Contributing to results through provision of information Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals Participates in the formulation of project proposals Building Strategic Partnerships Identifying and building partnerships Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings Innovation and Marketing New Approaches Developing new approaches Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor Resource Mobilization Implementing resource mobilization strategies Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach Identifies and compiles lessons learned Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Developing tools and mechanisms Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals Analysis and creation of messages and strategies Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level Client Orientation Contributing to positive outcomes for the client Anticipates client needs Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective Solicits feedback on service provision and quality Core Competencies: Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents Building support and political acumen Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation Building and promoting effective teams Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication Creating an emotionally intelligent organization Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member. Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking Prince2 training and certification, RMG

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master degree or equivalent in political science, law, public administration institutional/organizational development or related field. Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the area of democratic governance - including in capacity development and transitional processes - at both national and international levels in advisory, managerial and technical positions; Given the focus of the programme, proven experience in working with justice sector institutions and good understanding of A2J and Rule of Law is an asset; Excellent programme management skills and knowledge of donor policies and funding modalities; Knowledge of UNDP programming practices is an asset; Hands-on experience in facilitating inter-institutional cooperation, stakeholder involvement and working with teams in a politically sensitive environment; Knowledge and experience from working with developing countries and in an Islamic cultural setting; Proven familiarity with gender analysis and concepts, participative processes/approaches for women, youth and minority groups. Language Requirements: Excellent skills in English Language, spoken and written

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Programme Manager - Integrated Governance Programme (Development Project Fund)