Programme Specialist, Transformational Governance (Open to Rwanda Nationals Only)

• Job Identification: 24318
• Posting Date: 02/19/2025, 01:51 PM
• Apply Before:03/13/2025, 05:59 AM
• Job Schedule:Full time
• Location: Kigali, Rwanda
• Agency:UNDP
• Grade:NOC
• VacancyType:Fixed Term
• Practice Area:Governance
• Bureau:Regional Bureau for Africa
• Contract Duration:2 Year with Possibility for extension
• Education & Work Experience:Master’s Degree – 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience
• Required Languages:English, Kinyarwanda and/or Kiswahili
• Vacancy Timeline:3 Weeks
• Mobility required:/no mobilityno mobility required

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

This job description is a direct response to UNDP’s improved business model in Rwanda. It envisions a new office structure adapted to current and future needs of the country, underpinning its advisory and programmatic offer while at the same time delivering solid implementation support. It also promotes a more collaborative approach to work across the office and with external partners.

The new structure defines the skill sets required to position UNDP in the new country context, adding substantive value through thought leadership and innovation, mobilizing strategic resources and ensuring projects are implemented in a smooth, efficient and transparent manner. This also entails engaging on the most pressing and transformational development challenges of the country.

Through its portfolio, the CO has tailored localized integral solutions to specific sustainable development issues and is crafting methodologies and toolboxes to deploy and escalate them across the country. This strategy requires excellent programme management and an organizational structure that reinforces the entire programming life cycle including planning, implementation, oversight, monitoring and evaluation, communications, and efficient operations. The new structure will strengthen UNDP´s role as a learning organization ‘fit-for-purpose’ to deliver on Agenda 2030. It is designed to provide the foundation for the whole public policy life cycle with a special emphasis at sub-national level that, as an engagement strategy, is expected to allow new areas of joint work and resource mobilization.

The design of UNDP’s new programme portfolio is intended to support progress towards sustainable development and sustainable Transformational Governance. It focuses on economic transformation, sustainable energy, social protection, environment and climate change, and governance issues such as anti-corruption, local government, justice and security sector reform, Transformational Governance and reconciliation. The design of each of these programmes is based on the UN’s three core principles of human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability and is guided by the UNDP Strategic Plan (2022-2025). Taken together and implemented in an integrated way through a platform approach, the proposed programmes will contribute towards achieving Transformational Governance (Transformational Governance), Prosperity (Inclusive Growth) and Sustainability in Rwanda. Each of these themes is reflected in the new organizational structure for the CO.

In this context, the Transformational Governance portfolio within the programme team provides thought leadership on cross-cutting development issues in Rwanda, and globally. The aim is to ensure that UNDP’s Mandate of convening development partners in support of the national development agenda, informed by a commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, is amplified by internal knowledge, research, and high-quality policy advice

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and overall guidance of the Resident Representative, the Programme Specialist, Transformational Governance, leads the country office team in designing, developing and executing the Transformational Governance Portfolio. S/he also works in close collaboration with the team leaders of the other programmes in the portfolio to ensure a collaborative and harmonized UNDP Country Office (CO) approach.

The incumbent is responsible for:

• The strategic direction of the programme is aligned with UNDP’s vision for Rwanda.
• Management of the programme portfolio and team.
• Strategic partnerships, support for resource mobilization and expansion of the country portfolio.
• Provision of quality policy advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

The incumbent ensures thorough research and analysis of the Rwanda context in furthering and extending Transformational Governance initiatives in line with UNDP’s priorities for the Country’s development, with a special focus on sustainable Transformational Governance, post-crisis development trends, community development and economic wellbeing, and growth in the country and surrounding region and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

The incumbent works in strong collaboration with other Programme team leaders and the Accelerator Labs as well as the Operation Teams to generate synergies and cross collaboration on innovative approaches in the implementation of thematic initiatives and other emerging priorities.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Incumbent is expected to display managerial innovation, initiative, and a strong client orientation that encourages and rewards excellence in programme delivery and implementation. S/he might be required to undertake emerging tasks and additional duties as requested by senior management.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Supports strategic development of Transformational Governance Programme activities from design through implementation:

• Conducts thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of project documents, AWP and other documents in the area of Transformational Governance work (Access to Justice, Human Right and Peace), Gender, Cross Border issues, Political participation/inclusion etc.);
• Ensures contribution to the CPD though ongoing Transformational Governance programmes and projects and in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identifies opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies;
• Identifies, in close collaboration with national and international partners, strategic programme areas of cooperation;
• Designs and formulates components of UNDP Transformational Governance portfolio translating programme priorities into local interventions and ensuring coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders and programme partners;
• Collaborates with colleagues in Regional Center and HQ to apply in country programming new global and regional initiatives, polices and knowledge products that further the Transformational Governance Portfolio.

2) Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and leads resource mobilization:

• Maintain smooth, strong and strategic working relations with respective regional and national actors at Governmental and non-governmental level, as well as with the international community and partners at large;
• Explore and identify new initiatives and partnerships for further UNDP engagement in Rwanda with a view to expand the portfolio in all UNDP mandated areas involving a broad range of stakeholders and to ensure sustainability and growth of the programme office;
• Engage proactively and closely with the UN Country Team with a view to design and implement joint programmes where relevant and participate in joint resource mobilization activities;
• Promote long-term sustainability and growth through the establishment of strategic partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and the securing of financial support by governments, international, public and private sector donors in the country;
• Develops ideas and concepts for possible areas of cooperation;
• Establishes close working relationships and creates programmatic linkages with relevant government agencies; UN Agencies, IFI’s, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society;
• Suggests programmatic areas of co-operation based on UNDP´s strategic goals, country needs and donor priorities;
• Identifies funding opportunities for ongoing and new projects;
• Identifies and supports development of national partnerships for service provision to projects in areas such as monitoring, training, and others;
• Represents UNDP at external meetings within his/her area of programming.

3) Ensures effective management of the country programme portfolio in compliance with UNDP policies, UN rules and regulations focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from design to implementation:

• Lead, organize and coordinate the implementation of all Transformational Governance project activities in close collaboration with senior colleagues as well as with Headquarters and the Regional Center as required;
• Provide leadership in strategically utilizing portfolio management tools and practices to keep resources aligned to actual and evolving priorities rather than rigid, preset planning targets;
• Manage team members and relationships with donors, government and all counterparts;
• Identify the ability of the CO to conduct specific design engagements and recommend sourcing of necessary capacity, facilitating the design and scoping of engagements and their deliverables;
• Provide practical guidance to team members and clients on UNDPs evolution from a programme towards a dynamic portfolio approach that links outreach to new collaborators and non-conventional actors with both useful ideas and fee-based services and investments;
• Learn from colleagues and adapt to new thinking and approaches;
• Coordinate the daily activities of UNDP activities/programme/ projects in close coordination with national and international stakeholders;
• Liaise with Government counterparts, funding and development partners and other partners for the smooth implementation of activities;
• Manages the Portfolio team and provides proper guidance to and supervision of staff, employees and consultants;
• Prepare/produce a variety of written outputs, such as background papers, correspondence with governments, working papers, mission reports, analyses, briefings, communication/visibility material, presentations, policy proposals and documents, regular and ad hoc reports;
• Conduct timely projects, budget and grant reviews, revisions and monitoring, and complete related reporting obligations, in accordance with UNDP policies, UN rules and regulations as well as applicable donors’ requirements;
• Undertake other tasks as required for the smooth implementation of the programme.

4) Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identifies sources of information related to policy-driven issues; identifies and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Coordinates and ensures integration in project design the development of policies, institutions and advocacy that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
• Supports the establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks;
• Implements relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns with key partners;
• Ensures that lessons learned from projects are captured and recorded into the CO knowledge networks;
• Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building.

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 inclusivity.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction & 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 system.

Partnership Management

• Strategic Engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management

• Results-Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Business Management: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity;
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Inclusion and Participation.

Digital & Innovation

• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political/Social Science, International Law, Social Affairs, International Relations or related field, is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in governance, programme/project management in international development organizations, bilateral development agencies and/or international NGOs;
• Experience at the national level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is desired;
• Proven experience in handling multi-sectoral coordination among professionals and regional teams is an asset;
• Experience in integrated programming with good knowledge of UNDP’s corporate policies and programmes is desired;
• Experience in policy, advisory and advocacy and track record of engagement with United Nations, other development actors and donors is an asset.

Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda and/or Kiswahili which is the national language of the duty station is required for local staff.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Application Link

Deadline: 13/03/2025, 05:59 AM

Disclaimer

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Required Skills

• Nature, Climate and Energy Management
• Partnership Development
• Programme Management