Background
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (CPD), UNDP Sri Lanka developed a Portfolio, prioritizing SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, to implement its Governance and Peacebuilding projects.
The SDG 16 Portfolio is dedicated to supporting Sri Lanka’s development trajectory by addressing governance challenges, enhancing inclusivity, strengthening institutions and promoting social cohesion. The Portfolio aims to enhance people-centered services, strengthen rule of law, enhance accountability, and strengthen Sri Lanka’s resilience to future challenges. The Portfolio focuses on building space, capacity, and trust including for marginalized and vulnerable groups, ensuring their participation in policymaking and decision-making processes to meet their needs.
The Portfolio intervenes across four interrelated pillars: Pillar 1 - Voice and Representation, Pillar 2 - Rights and Justice, Pillar 3 - Strong and Efficient Institutions, and Pillar 4 - Social Cohesion. Each pillar includes dedicated projects aimed at addressing specific governance challenges within its thematic area.
This includes ensuring that the portfolio is not solely project driven, but is able to engage with government, civil society, academia and other partners on the relevant issues and provide quality advisory support and provide guidance on international standards. This requires dedicated capacities beyond the individual pillars for overall portfolio coordination/management as well as ensuring connectivity across the pillars as well as regular learning and reflection.
In addition, focus on new emerging issues such as digital and investment in cross-cutting areas such as support for persons with disabilities, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, innovation, data and digitalization, and capacity development.
The Pillar Coordinator- Democratic Governance & Civic Engagement, will provide technical guidance and direction to the Voice and Representation Pillar, support and link closely with the Pillar Strong Efficient Institutions with close collaboration across pillars. He/ She will liaise with national, sub-national and international counterparts (including UN agencies) civil society, private sector, organizations/donors and other development partners. He/She will manage related projects, guide personnel and ensure delivery of quality results as well as work cross pillars for maximal synergies (some functions such as operation support are shared across pillars).
Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder will work under the supervision of Policy Specialist and Team Lead , Inclusive Governance Team.
Provide quality technical expertise and coordination
Provides technical advisory support, drawing on international good practice and close collaboration across the Portfolio Pillars including leading cross-pillar work under the guidance of IGT Team Leader. Advises UNDP Resident Representatives on policy matters and prepares suitable inputs to documents, presentations and relevant publications; Provides coordination of the various work streams and areas within the pillar, brining together initiatives towards a common result; Brings in experience and advance the use of technology, digital approaches and innovation in providing suitable solutions to Sri Lanka.Lead the overall programme of the related pillar
Lead the overall management of the projects within the pillar with matrix reporting to other pillar as relevant; including managing programme staff, hiring, and overseeing external consultants, maintain working relations with key partners. Ensure effective and timely implementation of activities with high quality technical support, in line with results frameworks and work plans. Lead the development of annual workplans and/or revise workplans and budgets, in line with the overall project results framework . As budget-holder, planning and leading the budget implementationAdvocacy, Partnerships, Resource Mobilization
Strengthen and develop partnerships and resource mobilization strategies with donors, multi-lateral organizations, IFIs, government, the business sector, academia, CSOs and the media. Actively engage in UN interagency coordination as well as in other fora with the aim to advance UNDP’s strategic agenda. Engages in policy dialogue and technical discussion with government, donors, civil society, private sector and academia. Collaborate with UNDP teams across UNDP Sri Lanka, as well as other country offices.Facilitate knowledge building and management
Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning as well as external information Actively participate in the knowledge networks and takes advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available in the region and globally, and encourages staff to do so by creating a culture of knowledge and learning. Keep abreast of new areas of work and provide guidance of how to incorporate into UNDPs current and future work. Ensure that research and knowledge products generated translate into learning and design of future programming for UNDP as well as being shared with partners.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Competencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityPeople Management Competencies
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Management
Results-based Management. Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools Risk Management. Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goalsBusiness Direction and Strategy
System Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system2030 Agenda: Peace
Governance. Civic Engagement Governance. Inclusive Political Processes2030 Agenda- People
Gender. Gender Equality and Institutional TransformationRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Policy, Public Policy, Politics, Economics, Peace and conflict, international relations, Law, Management, Development Studies or a related area is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in effective project implementation/ coordination is required. Experience in the use of computers, office software packages(MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Substantial previous experience in working with senior government officials on policy and strategic issues and /or Civil Society Organizations (CSO) engagement an asset. Experience in supervision, people management and team building will be an advantage. Experience of providing policy and/or programme advice in areas of inclusive governance, democratic governance, civic engagement and/or public sector reform an asset. Knowledge of cross-cutting principles such as Gender, Human Rights-based approaches to development, Conflict Sensitivity and Do-No-Harm approaches and disability inclusion, will be an advantage. Prior work experience with a UNs entity or development organization will be an added advantage.Required languages:
Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil with excellent English communication (Oral and written) skills is required.Travel:
Include any official travel expected to be associated with performing the functionsEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.