Organisation: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
City Kampala,
Country Uganda
Background:
Over the past two decades Uganda has made important strides both in the socioeconomic and the political arenas, with significant progress being made in achieving the MDGs, as well as in securing peace and stability throughout the country. In the political sphere, Uganda transitioned to a multiparty democracy in 2005, after amending the 1995 Constitution to allow for the direct participation of political parties in the electoral process. These reforms have since led to an opening of political space in the country, with multiparty elections for the presidency and Parliament being held twice, in 2006 and 2011.
While these reforms have paved the way for the consolidation of multiparty democracy in Uganda, most analysts agree that additional efforts are necessary to strengthen Uganda’s institutional architecture for political dialogue, mediation and consensus-building. Advancing political reform in this direction is expected to bolster confidence in the electoral process in the country, by enabling political differences emerging from such processes to be settled and channeled through trusted institutional channels, thus minimizing the risk that they spill over into episodes of heightened political tension, public expressions of discontent or social unrest.
In this context, UNDP together with key national counterparts have jointly conceived a project to strengthen national capacities for dialogue and conflict management. The project’s interventions are a combination of institutional capacity development and political-level engagement, and aim at putting in place a mechanism for lasting peace and stability in Uganda. A core premise of the project is that peace is not just about mitigating and resolving conflicts, but also about having well-established structures and means for collective solutions, consensus building and dialogue. The aim of these interventions is to support the consolidation of the political space in Uganda that enables citizens and their representatives to air and deliberate alternate views and expressions, therefore preempting possible socioeconomic disruptions that are the result of discontent, street protests and political tensions.
In addition, the Governance specialist is expected to provide regular policy advice to UNDP’s senior management team on issues relevant to the overall goals of the project, as an integral part of his/her work.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provide high quality analytical and advisory services, including those in support of the Senior Technical Advisor’s work in undertaking consensus building, negotiation and mediation efforts through facilitated multi-stakeholder engagements.
Undertaking regular political economy analysis of the evolving development trends in the country to identify political risks for peace and development in the country;
Develop prospective scenarios towards identifying policy options and entry points for preventive action and strengthening national mechanisms and institutions;
Working closely with the project’s Senior Technical Advisor, assist in the design of negotiation meetings and facilitate the undertaking of multi-stakeholder engagements with national stakeholders associated with the three components of project;
Provide advisory inputs to UNDP’s senior management and prepare strategies for UNDP’s effective engagement within the context of evolving political developments in the country;
Develop strategic partnerships and sound working relations with the state, non-government national counterparts and development partners for successful implementation of project interventions.
2. Oversee project implementation and manage the Project Implementation Unit in close coordination with the rest of UNDP’s Accountable Democratic Governance Programme, with a view of effectively implementing project interventions and enable the successful achievement of intended results.
Undertake project management functions in line with the DIM modalities of UNDP;
Preparation of inputs for reporting, including donor reporting as required;
Coordination with the Accountable Democratic Governance Programme team-leader on programme-related activities and issues;
Support professional growth and mentoring of project implementation unit staff;
Ensure the collation of lessons learned and reports on key achievements for wider distribution including UNDP intranet.
3. Maintain and create strategic partnerships between the national actors and UNDP/UN system with a view to develop conflict prevention capacities.
Serve as liaison between UNDP’s senior management and key project partners, including the National Consultative Forum, National Elders Forum and the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda;
Pursue entry points and consolidate them into credible institutional mechanisms for dialogue and mediation that contribute to policy and political settlements and can act as preventive strategies;
Develop partnerships and build capacities, especially of local level institutions, in conflict prevention;
Represent UNDP in key forum meetings and other workshops as may be required.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The candidate should possess an advanced degree (Masters or equivalent) in social sciences, with a focus on development studies, governance or related fields.
Skills and Experience:
A minimum of seven (7) years of international experience of working on issues of political governance, peace and development;
Experience of working in similar positions in UN agencies is an advantage;
Experience engaging political level actors in reform processes and developing strategies for implementation of reforms.
Proven experience in peace and conflict management;
Proven experience in developing strategic partnerships and ability to work with state and non-state actors for long term peace and stability;
Proven experience in project development processes, especially in the context of UNDP.
Language: Fluency in English in both writing and speaking.
Personal Competencies:
Corporate Competencies:
Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
In-depth understanding of the socio-economic and political context of Uganda with a strong understanding of the legal frameworks of the country;
Ability to facilitate and provide support to civil society in the area of governance, peace and development through consultative forums, workshops, mentoring and experience sharing.
Management and Leadership:
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humor even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Good understanding of Result Based Management (RBM).
Policy Advice and Knowledge Management;
In-depth understanding of the socio-economic and political context of Uganda with a strong understanding of the legal frameworks of the country;
Ability to facilitate and provide support to civil society in the area of governance, peace and development through consultative forums, workshops, mentoring and experience sharing;
Ability to develop evidence-based policy advice;
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in relevant practice areas.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead and manage corporate strategic initiatives;
Excellent computer and information system skills.
How to Apply:
If you believe you are one of the ideal candidates for this opportunity in working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), then visit the web link below for full job details
Click Here
NB: UNDP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified Women are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: 1st November, 2013
