Although the Bissau-Guinean Constitution is founded on democratic governance principles, expressed in the consecration of people as the holder of sovereignty, the rule of law as an affirmation of the primacy of legality, the separation of powers and respect for human rights, the participation of citizens, and a multi-party system of government, deep challenges persist when looking at the reality of governance in Guinea-Bissau. The challenges stem primarily from intertwined causes, including the political instability that has been affecting the country since its independence, the legacy of colonial and post-independence forms of centralized government systems, and the political-military dynamics.
Guinea-Bissau has shown overall governance deterioration, as measured by the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance with notable poor performance in areas that include rule of law, participation and human rights, welfare and sustainable economic opportunities. Weaknesses in areas such as access to justice, endemic corruption, lack of decentralization, effectiveness of public administration and basic services, respect for human rights, persistent and entrenched gender inequality, the weakening of the state by structures of organized crime require attention as they result in the state’s inability to provide effectively and efficiently goods and services to the population while helping build vertical and horizontal social cohesion.
The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Guinea-Bissau, as key government partner in the area of governance, has been developing and implementing various projects in a variety of governance related domains, including rule of law and justice, anti-corruption and accountability, decentralization and local governance, electoral and parliamentary support as well as civic engagement. Additionally, taking into consideration the withdrawal of UNIOGBIS, UNDP has been adapting to the new environment by reinforcing some of its capacities in the governance domain.
In coordination with the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), UNDP is the lead agency for the implementation of a Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) project on “Political Stabilization and Reform through Confidence Building and Inclusive Dialogue” in close collaboration with UNFPA, WFP (and UNIOGBIS until December 2020). The project is expected to strengthen the government’s and civil society’s capacity to accelerate political stabilization and systemic reform processes that are key to sustainable development in the country. The project enables the participating UN agencies to advance key peacebuilding priorities while providing for better coordinated strategies and stronger partnershipsrelated to political stabilization and confidence-building efforts.
In this framework, UNDP is recruiting a Finance and Administrative Assistant that shall support the project team in the implementation of the agreed project activities and that objectives are reached as set out in the project document. Under the overall guidance of the Head of Governance unit and the direct supervision of the Project Manager at UNDP, the Finance and Administrative Assistant will also work in close collaboration with this Unit and other UNDP Programme and Administrative Units, particularly procurement, and finances, other UN Agencies, especially with WFP, UNFPA, , as well as the PBF Secretariat and the UNCT when necessary.
Please note that the person selected for this position will be offered a contract with UNDP under its National Personnel Services Agreement (N-PSA) modality. More information about the N-PSA is available here: [link to the N-PSA POPP https://bit.ly/3gaGFud
Summary Key Functions:
The incumbent will work as part of the Governance Cluster. S/he will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of the Governance Cluster. S/he will closely work with the Project Manager of the PBF-funded project Political Stabilization and Reform and the Governance Cluster Team, as well as other the programme management and operations units, and programme staff in other UN Agencies, in country. The Finance and Administrative Assistance is also expected to be working in close collaboration with other prgramme and operations unit of UNDP Guinea-Bissau.
Description of Competency at Level Required
(For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory)
Core
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)
Technical/Functional
Primary
Trends and emerging areas analytics
Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design
Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)
Results-Based Management
Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)
Partnerships
Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships
Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)
Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals t Management
Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)
Knowledge Management
Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge
Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)
Secondary
Resource Mobilization
Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources (definition is unclear and not well linked to the stated competency)
Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)
Min. Academic Education
Min. years of relevant Work experience
Required skills and competencies
Desired additional skills and competencies
Required Language(s) (at working level)
Contract Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
This vacancy is archived.