Participatory Governance and Сommunity Engagement Specialist, NPSA10 – National Position

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. Project Description Today Ukraine is facing the most serious challenges since becoming an independent state. The complex humanitarian, development, and peace challenges underscore the importance of programming that responds to the multiple dimensions of the crisis. The UNDP Recovery Framework for Ukraine is grounded in working in partnership with sister UN entities and beyond. The Inclusive Development Recovery and Peacebuilding Portfolio (IDRPB) directly contributes to the achievement of the Recovery Framework’s key outcomes. Targeting primarily the sub-national and local (territorial community, city, or settlement) levels, the IDRPB outlines the responses to the multi-dimensional challenges faced by the Ukrainian communities, through their decentralized authorities, to manage effectively and efficiently early and postrecovery planning and implementation, while fostering sustained momentum around SDGs implementation and ensuring that the needs and experiences of women and men from all groups of society, especially the most vulnerable, are accounted for in this process. The Regional Development Programme (RDP) directly contributes to the achievement of RBRF’s key outcomes, while organizationally it is an integral part of a larger Inclusive Development Recovery and Peacebuilding Portfolio (IDRPB). Targeting primarily the sub-national (oblast) and local (territorial community, city, or settlement) levels, the RDP outlines the responses to the multi-dimensional challenges faced by the Ukrainian communities, through their decentralized authorities, to manage effectively and efficiently early and post-recovery planning and implementation, while fostering sustained momentum around SDGs implementation and ensuring that the needs and experiences of women and men from all groups of society, especially the most vulnerable, are accounted for in this process. In this context, UNDP is recruiting a Participatory Governance and Community Engagement Specialist, who will coordinate and support the effective implementation of the RDP activities aimed at the support of effective and accountable local governance, inclusive and sustainable community development under the guidance of the Regional Development Programme Manager. The Participatory Governance and Community Engagement Specialist will work under the matrix arrangement allocating his/her working time to projects implemented as part of the Regional Development Programme (hereinafter – the IDRPBRegional Development projects). The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to discriminatory and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse. Duties and Responsibilities A. Support effective implementation and day-to-day coordination of IDRPB-Regional Development projects/activities aimed at strengthening local governance, as well as community engagement and development.

• Support Regional Development Programme Manager in planning the activities within IDRPB-Regional Development projects in line with project documents and UNDP’s programmatic priorities and goals;
• Ensure that activities within respective IDRPB-Regional Development projects are implemented effectively and timely within the scope of the approved budgets and work plans;
• Supervise the team of RDP personnel directly involved in the implementation of IDRPB-Regional Development projects/activities aimed at strengthening local governance and community engagement and development;
• Coordinate the work of relevant individual consultants contracted within the programme/project(s) for strengthening local governance, community engagement and development and related assignments;
• Ensure timely collection of data for reporting following UNDP guidelines for reporting and M&E plans of the respective IDRPB-Regional Development projects;
• Substantially contribute to the preparation of narrative and financial progress reports for respective IDRPB-Regional Development projects;
• Update risk logs and identify mitigation measures for the supported projects;
• Ensure compliance with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures;
• Liaise with the relevant national and international stakeholders in coordination with the Regional Development Programme Manager.

B. Perform policy analysis and provide high-quality policy advice on participatory local governance, community engagement and development.

• Ensure planning and quality implementation of assessments, surveys, and other research work in the field of the participatory local governance, community engagement and development;
• Review the draft reports on assessments, surveys, and other research in the field of participatory local governance, community engagement and development, provide comments and ensure timely finalization of the reports;
• Substantially contribute to the development of policy proposals in the area of participatory local governance, community engagement and development, identify development challenges and propose solutions and risk mitigation measures;
• Provide quality policy advice to the regional and local partners and beneficiaries supported within IDRPB-Regional Development projects on the matters related to participatory local governance and community development, including but not limited to recovery planning and programming;
• Keep the supervisor updated on progress and issues, and prepare briefing materials as requested.

C. Support resource mobilization of IDRPB-Regional Development Programme.

• Identify new funding opportunities and relevant project ideas for support to participatory local governance, community engagement and development for further conceptualization;
• Develop the project ideas into project concepts engaging with wide range of potential DocuSign Envelope beneficiaries and stakeholders at national, regional and local levels;
• Substantially contribute to development of project proposals for donors in line with UNDP’s programmatic priorities and donors requitrement;
• Liaise with the relevant national and international stakeholders in coordination with the Regional Development Programme Manager;
• Participate in the meetings with donors, prepare and deliver presentations of the project proposals, and follow up with relevant counterpart if requested by the supervisor.

D. Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office through:

• Identify and document the best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the IDRPB-Regional Development projects’ goals and activities;
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice in the area of participatory governance and community engagement;
• Provide trainings for RDP team and partners, including but not limited to UNDP grantees supported under IDRPB-Regional Development projects, on the matters related to the participatory governance and community engagement;
• Participate in the training for the programme/project personnel for further professional growth through active learning.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Participatory Governance and Community Engagement Specialist will directly report to the Regional Development Programme Manager and work under the overall strategic guidance of the IDRPB Portfolio Team Leader.

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

People Management UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site: PeopleManagementCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)

Motivate and Direct: Create and communicate a compelling vision and purpose; Align people and resources with organizational vision, strategy, objectives; Understand and proactively builds the team/organization culture.
Manage Performance and Ensure Accountability: Ensure regular conversations with people about work; Provide positive and constructive feedback; Discuss poor performance in a timely manner; Provide praise and recognition, as well as ensure accountability.
Build Capability: Identify and develop talent in individuals, providing positive support to enable them to achieve their potential; Foster learning or development of others by giving feedback, guidance, and support; support career development of others; Have willingness and ability to delegate to help people learn, including from failure.

Cross-Functional Competencies

Business Management: Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Digital Innovation: E-governance: Knowledge of how it works, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society.
Business Management: Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Management: Partnership Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with side networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
External Relations & Advocacy: General (across the functions): Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.
Business Direction & Strategy: Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations.
Partnership management: Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience Education:

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in a subject related to Public Administration, Municipal or Community Development, Social Sciences, Economics, Sustainable Development, Planning, or other related fields; or
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years with a Master’s degree or 7 years with a Bachelor’s degree of relevant experience at the national or international level in policy development and implementation, participatory governance, regional or local development and/or project/programme management, and/or consultancy services on economic development.

Required skills:

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Excellent organizational, team building and planning skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in the team, delivering through and with others.
• Good analytical and report writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build trust with partners.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Extensive experience in working with Ukrainian regional and/or local authorities is an asset.
• Experience in development policy proposals and/o;r recommendations in the area of regional and localdevelopment is an asset.
• Proven experience in people management and/or coordination of teams is an asset.
• Extensive experience in presenting in public forums, including high-level national and sub-national stakeholders, is an asset.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local personnel.

Professional Certificates:

• Professional certification in Project Management (or equivalent) is an asset.

Disclaimer UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications. 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. Scam warning The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 31 May, 2024.

If you wish to apply for this or other positions, please visit UNDP in Ukraine website, section Jobs and apply:

https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/18148

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.