In the Kyrgyz Republic, constitutional reform in 2010 and parliamentary elections in 2011 and 2015 have created a more responsive parliamentary system building the foundation for an improved governance system and application of rule of law and human rights. However, public sector effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and transparency of institutions and processes remain key areas for improvement. To date, citizens’ expectations for more transparent, effective basic services have yet to be met, and polls continue to show that corruption, accountability, and economic development are perceived by the citizens as priorities.
Under the framework of its Country Project Document (CPD) 2018-2022, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Kyrgyz Republic is implementing an integrated assistance project to the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic and its stakeholders, the Strong and Inclusive Parliamentary Democracy (SIPD) project, seeking to embed institutional accountability, inclusive democracy and realization of the rule of law in Kyrgyz Republic. The SIPD, a ten-year initiative funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), has been conceptualized around the achievement of the following two outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Parliament sets national strategic priorities in accordance with citizens’ needs, and oversees their implementation by the government;
- Outcome 2: Civil society actors promote active citizenship and effectively influence political processes to better serve the needs and priorities of the country’s citizens.
The project, which is designed to provide long-term presence, spanning the performance cycle of two parliamentary convocations (2015-2020 and 2020-2025), multiple coalition government terms with undefined duration and two presidential terms (2017-2023 and 2023-2029, is expected to be implemented in line with the following phases:
- Phase I (2017- 2021);
- Phase II (2021 – 2025);
- Phase III (2025-2027) – exit phase.
As the establishment of multi-stakeholder partnership is a strategic modus operandi of the intervention, from the inception phase throughout the implementation of all the activities, the SIPD project works with a variety of key actors at the national level, including the Jogorku Kenesh, three parliamentary committees and the parliament’s apparatus, government offices, line ministries and agencies, Local Self-Governments, the Chamber of Accounts, civil society actors and organizations and Public Councils.
Role description:
Under the supervision of the Rule of Law Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the guidance of the Programme and Policy Analyst/ Team Leader of the UNDP Accountable Institutions, Justice and Peace Cluster (“SDG 16 Cluster”), the Senior Advisor will provide technical and strategic advise to the UNDP SDG 16 Cluster, to national counterparts and implementing partners, on interventions related to strengthening parliamentary democracy in Kyrgyzstan. S/he will oversee and be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and management of the SIPD project’s activities, including providing high quality technical, operational, administrative and financial support in line with UNDP financial rules and programme and operations policies and procedures. S/he will ensure proper formulation, execution and monitoring of project’s agreements and work-plans, supervise consultants and national staff as required by project’ organogram, as well as be accountable to the Project Steering Committee for progress and the achievement of project results. The Senior Advisor is expected to provide strategic guidance to UNDP rule of law programmatic components which are interlinked with strengthening parliamentary democracy in order to maximize partnership and impact of the SIPD and enhance synergies and coordination between SIPD and UNDP projects of SDG 16 cluster.
The emphasis of the assignment will be also on building strategic relationships and capacity of national counterparts with regards to democratic governance, rule of law, parliamentarism and strengthening parliamentary democracy. The Senior Advisor will work with staff in the UNDP CO and at the project level, to promote effective achievement of results, ensure information sharing, promote knowledge, as well as develop viable working relationships with colleagues across the organization and counterparts, ensuring responsive client orientation and problem-solving attitude.
- Oversee the day-to-day coordination, management and implementation of relevant SIPD project’s activities, including the financial, administrative and operational management of the project in line with the project document, the annual work plan in the area of responsibility and with UNDP financial rules and programme and operations policies and procedures;
- Provide technical and strategic advise to SIPD, the UNDP SDG 16 Cluster, to national counterparts and implementing partners, on interventions related to strengthening parliamentary democracy and democratic governance in Kyrgyzstan. This will include providing guidance to UNDP rule of law programmatic components which are interlinked with strengthening parliamentary democracy in order to maximize impact of the SIPD project and enhance synergies and coordination between SIPD and UNDP rule of law interventions and relevant projects of SDG 16 cluster in the technical area of democratic governance;
- Prepare and present work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports, financial and expenditures status reports to the Project Steering Committee, the UNDP Country Office, the Donor and participate in projects’ audit and evaluations; follow up on the recommendations made by the Committee and monitor the progress of the projects towards achievement of its outputs and outcomes;
- Ensure the effective management of project’s staff, consultants and short-term experts, including conduct periodic performance appraisals, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals;
- Ensure high quality communication, information and visibility of the projects’ activities in compliance with the Donor and UNDP visibility rules and procedures;
- Undertake/support all exercises regarding mapping, parliament-related baseline assessments and surveys at national and local level, to establish realistic and contextualized baselines for project development and monitoring. Research, collect and analyze relevant information related to project implementation and the context for project implementation;
- Participates in design of monitoring tools and analysis of monitoring results to ensure achieving successful results of technical assistance and contribute to identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions in area of responsibility;
- Promote partnership, knowledge sharing and building among partners and stakeholders on strengthening parliamentary democracy, rule of law and democratic governance, as well as identify opportunities for national counterparts to share their experience with other countries;
- Conduct analysis and research of information on donors, counterparts and implementing partners, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new project activities, active contribution to the overall project effort to mobilize resources;
- Draft timely and high-quality background papers, briefing notes, talking points, analysis, and other substantive information for the CTA and as requested by UNDP CO on relevant political, rule of law and parliament-related activities and issues;
- Contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and competitive selection of partners for implementation of UNDP projects; promote joint programming, and collaborate effectively in established frameworks for UN and other international coordination; ensure proper coordination and information sharing with all international and national partners working in strengthening parliamentary democracy;
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the projects for organizational sharing and learning as well as external information.
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
- Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values.
- Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility.
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning:
- Shares knowledge and experience.
- Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities.
- Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s strategic initiatives.
- Collaborates with regional, national and local partners to create and apply knowledge and concepts that will help partners achieve UNDP’s development objectives within the country and regional context.
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
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.
- Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff.
- Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit.
- 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.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
- Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting.
- Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.
- Ability to engage with various partners and stakeholders at different levels, to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government and represent UNDP in national and regional fora.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
- Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document.
- Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities.
- Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs.
Leadership and Self-Management:
- Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
- Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high-quality standard throughout.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
- Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a team and to foster team spirit and synergy.
Education:
- Master’s degree in Law, Public Administration/Policy, International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, or other relevant discipline;
- Gender certification would be an asset.
Experience:
- At least five years of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of complex development projects and/or working in a relevant position to this post;
- Proven experience in the management, coordination and/or in the implementation of projects in Governance, Rule of Law, or related fields;
- Experience of work with the international organizations, high-level government officials representing central governmental bodies and/ or local administrations;
- Knowledge of and interaction with parliamentary systems of government will be an added advantage;
- Sound knowledge of development methodologies, including participatory approaches to strategic planning, strategic management and the management of institutional change in developing countries;
- Proven experience in working with CSOs in the context of accountability in governance;
- At least 2 years of experience in managing teams;
- Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written and results-focused reports;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Russian;
- Knowledge of Kyrgyz is an asset.
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: 6 months with possible extension