Democratic Govern Specialist

Guinea-Bissau

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Guinea-Bissau
Grade: Mid level - NO-C, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Democratic Governance
Closing Date: 2025-03-05

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

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. However 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 limited progress in the Governance area, as measured by the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance with notable poor performance in areas that include rule of law, personal safety, participating and human rights, welfare, and sustainable economic opportunities. Weaknesses in areas such as access to justice, corruption, decentralization, public administration and delivery of services, parliament human rights and gender inequality require attention as they result in the state limited capacity to provide effectively and efficiently goods and services to the population and to build social cohesion between the state and citizens.

The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Guinea-Bissau, as a privileged government partner in the area of Governance, sought to reposition itself strategically and realign its human resources to better respond to the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022 – 2026. It has been identified the need to better articulate the work in a more integrated and collaborative manner to help Guinea–Bissau address interrelated development challenges and achieve sustainable development goals. Integrated Support to Rule of Law and Justice, strengthening oversight institutions, including the Parliament and Civil Society Organization, Decentralization and Local development, Reform of Public Administration, Elections Management Bodies Capacity Strengthening and Civil Service and Fight against corruption is key. A strong and thought leadership of the team is essential for the Governance Outcome of the CPD to be fulfilled and the role of UNDP in this area to be recognised.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under overall guidance and supervision by the Deputy Resident Representative/Programme, the Governance Team Leader analysis political, social, and economic trends and leads formulation, management, and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio and provides policy advice services. S/he also works in close collaboration with his/her Unit and other Programme Unites Programme Staff in the other UN agencies, UNDP lateral donors and civil society to help implement the UNDP country Programme in the area of democratic governance. S/he provides quality technical advice to UNDP management, Governance team and partners in his/her work area. Concretely, s/he will be responsible for:

Implementation of governance programme strategies.
Management of the Country Office governance programme.
Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
Provision of top-quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of work building and management.
Manages the Governance Team

UNDP personnel working in the Governance area are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

1.Ensure the implementation of country programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
	Conducts thorough analysis of the political, social, and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of UNSDCF, Country Programme Document (CPD), Project Documents, Annual Work Plans, and other documents in work. Ensures operationalization of the CPD though ongoing and new 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 governance programme translating programme priorities into local interventions and ensuring coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders, and programme partners. Collaborates with colleagues in Addis Ababa Regional Service Center (RSC)and Head Quarters (HQ) to apply in country programming new global and regional initiatives, polices and knowledge products. Supports the DRR/P chairing the UNSDCF Outcome Group 1 (OG1) on Democratic Governance.
2.Manages Country Office assigned programme components, focusing on achievement of the following results:
	Provides managerial leadership, technical guidance, oversight, and quality control of programme operations from planning, budgeting to implementation and monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that results are delivered in accordance with work plan, standards, allocations, framework and rules and regulations. Ensures effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of result, as quality assurance, Results Oriented Annual reporting (ROAR), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) etc. Leads the annual work planning process with CO units and project managers. Monitors work plan implementation and ensures it is on track, and supports resolution of bottlenecks working with CO units, Regional Service Center (RSC), and HQ. Develops programme/ outcome level work plan, monitoring plan, human resources, and procurement plans: Drafts Terms of References and procurement specifications. Prepares periodic and ad hoc reports; ensures timely completion of required quarterly and annual reports. Ensures project and programme reviews and evaluations take place. Maintains regular contact with project and programme counterparts to ensure monitoring of projects' progress, monitoring of unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results. Organizes regular coordination across outcome teams and other projects to ensure synergies and integration; promotes cross component and cross programme collaboration. Supports audit exercises. Takes on corporate and CO responsibilities such as participation in CAP and interview panels.
3.Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and leads resource mobilization, focusing on achievement of the following results:
	Implements CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategy to achieve programme outcomes. Research and analyses information on existing and new partners. Develops ideas and concepts for possible areas of cooperation. Establishes close working relationships and creates programmatic linkages with relevant government agencies; UN Agencies, IFl's, bi lateral and multilateral donors, private sector, and civil society. Suggests programmatic areas of cooperation 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.
4.Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management, focusing on the 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. Facilitates 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. Builds capacities of national staff and mentors’ staff in work. Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building
5.Manages the Governance team, focusing on the achievement of the following results: Effectively manages the Governance team to deliver results. Inspires and motivates the Governance team to perform at highest levels and in conformity with UNDP’s Code of Ethics, for a positive, healthy work environment. Ensures all staff in the Governance team complete their mandatory learning. Ensures that staff in the Governance team complete the performance management plans. Builds a well‐integrated, highly motivated, and effective team, and promotes an environment that thrives on innovation and a sense of purpose and passion for delivering results.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core : Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here

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

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Management	Results-based Management	Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Business Management	Resource Management	Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.
Business Management	Portfolio Management	Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as 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.
Business Management	Partnerships Management	Ability to build and maintain partnerships with Zide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
2030 Agenda: Peace	Governance	Public Administration and Local Governance.
2030 Agenda: Peace	Governance	Local Governance.
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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Political Sciences, Economics, Sciences, Law, Public Administration, Peacebuilding, or related field is required. Or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above -mentioned fields of study, 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) progressively responsible experience in project management in international development organizations and/or bilateral development agencies.
Experience in working in Africa, particularly in Portuguese Speaking countries and/or in UN Transition countries would be an asset.
Previous experience in governance and sustaining peace programmes is an asset.
Experience of working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset.
Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is desired.
Demonstrated experience and sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national staff is an asset.
Proven programmatic management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation) is desired.
Demonstrated excellent skills in fundraising, resources mobilization and donor relations would be an asset.
Fluency in Portuguese and French is required (written and verbal). Knowledge of English is desired.

Please (apply)/(complete the P11 form) in the language in which the vacancy is published.

Disclaimer

Female candidacies are strongly encouraged.

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. We strongly encourage female candidacies.

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