Back Learning & Knowledge Specialis

The Capacity Development for Local Government (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country. These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank. The Government of Sri Lanka will implement the Local Development Support Project (LDSP) in four provinces – North, North Central, Eastern, and Uva – to strengthen local service delivery and local economic infrastructure and enhance bottom-up approaches to support public engagement in local decision-making processes, including through participatory planning and feedback mechanisms for service delivery. Specifically, LDSP will focus on developing Local Area Participatory Development Plans (LAPDP) at the LA level, based on aggregated plans from the ward level, and synergized with sector plans of ministries.
The overall objective of the CDLG project is to strengthen the capacities of LAs to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable and be able to plan, enhance resilience, and deliver better services. The capacity development support, coupled with the fiscal support (through Basic Transfers and Performance Transfers provided through LDSP project) for inclusive service delivery and economic investment, is aimed at strengthening the role of elected representatives at the local level. It is about improving local governance systems and making local governments “fit for future”, as well as increase downward accountability of elected officials and local governments. The project also aims to strengthening mechanisms for public engagement in local decision-making processes.
CDLG’s capacity development approach is informed by a body of knowledge and practice known as 70-20-10, where 70 percent of the capacity development support is through learning by doing, 20 percent is through feedback and guidance from mentors, and 10 percent is through formal trainings.
This emphasis on “learning by doing” facilitates local councillors and administrators to not only learn about systems and processes in their work-place, but also supports local innovation (i.e. increase local capabilities) to improve efficiency and be more flexible and responsive to changes.  
CDLG project will focus on introducing new ways of learning that facilitate local authorities to improve their technical capacities but also focus on nudging behavioural change that would result in strengthening institutionalization of innovative and participatory processes and collaborative engagement in developing local solutions to address development challenges.

Post Context:

In this context and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager -CDLG Project and overall guidance of the Portfolio Manager- SDG 16, and in close collaboration with  all members of the CDLG Project implementation team, the learning and knowledge development specialist will lead on developing targeted capacity development strategy for each province aiming at local authorities at different capacity levels. S/he will bring innovative learning methods (including adult learning methods) to encourage local authorities to be more open and collaborative in prioritizing, developing and implementing local development plans and bring innovative practices to implement their functions (such as regulatory functions related to licenses and permits, waste management, developing local infrastructure and service delivery,. S/he is also responsible for designing learning exchange programmes between LAs and supporting LAs to advocate for policy change to strengthen local governance systems.


 

Ideas and expertise

• Produce capacity development manuals and other products and roll out training programmes
• Monitor training programmes, capture lessons and adapt training programmes to meet local context (as needed)
• In close collaboration with the Project Manager and the Local Governance Specialist, integrate learning components in the development of different tools (such as planning and visualization tools) and systems (complaints mechanisms) to enhance local authorities’ knowledge and utilization of different tools and systems
• Support modifications to tools and systems based on how well they are utilized by local authorities and other actors.
• Support civic engagement activities, including through use of behavioral change methods to facilitate more openness in the functioning of local governments.
• Support local governments to use data for their local planning and advocacy purposes
• Research and analyze information, good practices and lessons learned gathered from diverse sources related to sustainable local development.
• Support use of innovative approaches to facilitate collaborative engagement and learning among local actors.
• Support the project advisory boards and the capacity development networks at the provincial level (along with the Project Coordinators) to review and analyze progress made in line with the overall guiding principles of the project.
• Support development of apps and other tools to facilitate learning and collaboration.

Collaboration and engagement

• In collaboration with the Local Governance Specialist and Communication Specialist, support local governments to communicate with their constituencies, including through making information related to resource utilization and project implementation.
• Develop working relationship with technical experts and different institutions at the sub-national level that are responsible for providing capacity development support to local governments for joint implementation of relevant project activities.
• Engage with international and national experts and institutions on building public sector and local government capacities, and explore development of joint initiatives.
• Share best practices in all relevant forums to encourage uptake of lessons by local governments in other parts of Sri Lanka.

Knowledge building and management

• Organize the annual exchange event and lead on sharing best practices through online and offline platforms.
• Proactively coordinate and engage/facilitate South-South cooperation between countries.
• Formulate knowledge and communication products relevant to the programme’s evolving needs using available learning platforms and technology.
• Produce policy briefs, and other knowledge products related to learning and capacity development of local government institutions and wider local governance system (including engagement of local organizations etc.,)

Competencies and Selection Criteria

Description of Competency at Level Required

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work, and openness to the use of new technologies to improve local governance systems

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional

Local governance         

Knowledge and expertise in democratic governance, and local governance and local development issues in Sri Lanka

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Learning and knowledge development

Knowledge and technical know how in developing learning programmes and ability to adopt approaches to nudge behvioural change within public institutions and among public officials. Knowhow in facilitating a culture of knowledge sharing and learning within public institutions

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Participatory Processes

Expertise in facilitating engagement between different stakeholders on local planning and developing integrated solutions to address multi-dimensional challenges.

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Capacity development for development effectiveness     

Know how in using capacity development support to transform local development and ensure development effectiveness

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Gender:

Level 5: Originate new and creative methods to mainstream gender into all aspects of the above-mentioned capacity development strategies.

Education

• Master's degree or Bachelor’s in social policy, public policy, politics, economics, development studies or a related area.
• Master’s degree with 5 years or bachelor’s with 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in development sector with experience in local governance and local development.

Experience

• Experience in leading learning and capacity development programmes in large institutions, preferably public sector institutions.
• Experience in leading design thinking exercises and facilitating social innovation approaches to develop local solutions.   
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil with excellent English Communication Skills.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: One (1) year with possibility of extension