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UNDP is hiring one (1) Decentralization and Social Cohesion Officer for Maputo.
Background
Mozambique has embarked upon a new phase of decentralization, with the aim of improving governance, strengthening democracy at the sub-national levels, and striving to deliver better public services. Through a Constitutional amendment and a spate of subsequent legislation termed as the ‘Decentralization Package’, the Government has laid the foundations for a deeper form of decentralized governance. As a political reform, it paves the way for deepening of democracy, strengthening social cohesion, national reconciliation and embedding democratic principles within all tiers of government; and as a governance reform, it creates a platform for more accountable and more responsive government, one that seeks to improve public services by responding to citizen’s needs. The government has undertaken several steps to implement the decentralization reforms, including laying out the principles and objectives of a National Program for Decentralization (PND) and drafting several legal frameworks.
To provide further impetus to this process, the Government of Republic of Mozambique and UNDP have developed this Decentralized Governance Promotion Program (DGPP). This Program is the result of consistent dialogue with government (including at the political level); is fully aligned with the legislative changes introduced under the Decentralization Package; will form an integral part of the National Program for Decentralization (PND) which will be finalized in the first quarter of 2020; and complements support provided by other development partners, both within and outside the UN system. The Program takes a flexible, inclusive and equity-oriented approach and seeks to bring to the fore political leadership for implementation of reforms, while addressing gaps in institutional capacity at all levels. Through the Program, UNDP will assist the government to undertake foundational reforms that lead to more inclusive form of decentralized governance, shared prosperity, and a more capable local government system. This support to government is built on three pillars:
- (i) Inclusion and Citizen Participation, which seeks to contribute to creating an environment for peace and stability and achieve social cohesion by focusing on establishing and strengthening institutional mechanisms for enhanced inclusion, accountability and transparency, and trust building;
- (ii) ResponseAbility which targets strengthening of systemic capacities of sub-national governments in relation to their core mandates, and builds their ability to become more agile and responsive to citizen needs; and
- (iii) Democratization of Economic Opportunity which aims to enhance equity in terms of access to economic opportunities, particularly for women, youth and vulnerable segments including the disabled and the minorities. This is intended to be achieved by helping realize the potential of cities to become even more powerful engines of growth by strengthening their capacities to prepare and deliver local economic plans, with the involvement of private sector, and innovate on the way they conceive and deliver public services.
Given the nature of the subject covered, the Project will work with several institutions and entities, including Government institutions, non-governmental and civil society organizations, at central and decentralized levels. The most direct entities will be the implementing partners, namely the Ministry of State Administration and Civil Service as well as the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This project’s timeframe is the period between 2020 and 2024.
Within this framework, UNDP seeks to recruit a Decentralization and Social Cohesion Officer to work in the Governance and Social Cohesion Unit and support the Government of Mozambique, through the Ministry of State Administration and Public Service (MAEFP) in the implementation of the ongoing reforms of the Decentralization in Mozambique .
Under the overall guidance of the Head of Governance and Social Cohesion Unit, the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor DGPP and in consultation to the Project Coordinator, the Decentralization and Social Cohesion Officer (DeSCO) is responsible for supporting UNDP and the Government in the successful management and implementation of the Project “Decentralized Governance Promotion Programme”.
The DeSCO will support the CTA and the Project Coordinator in ensuring the management, timely and effective implementation of the annual works plans as well as reporting of the Project “Decentralized Governance Promotion Program”. He/she will support the CTA in the supervision of the Project Implementation Unit staff in MAEFP and ensure effective coordination between the responsible parties for implementation, beneficiaries and UNDP.
The DeSCO will be housed at UNDP and, whenever necessary, will work in the Project Implementation Unit within the Ministry of State Administration and Public Service (MAEFP)- (a dedicated calendar may be formulated and agreed upon with the CTA and MAEFP team on the time needed). He/she works in close collaboration with the PFM specialist, other Programme units, operations, program and project teams to ensure that the activities of the project are in line with the project plan and budget.
Duties and Responsibilities
The DeSCO assists in analyzing trends related to the area of decentralization and social cohesion, formulates, manages and evaluates project activities within his/her portfolio, and provides policy advice services.
Support the effective management of the Decentralization and Social Cohesion Project, by:
- Direct and oversee project implementation as advised by the CTA and the Project Coordinator, on a day-to-day basis;
- Manage the operational functions of the Project including organizing and coordinating events, workshops, training sessions and meetings in liaison with the stakeholders;
- Support the Ministry of State Administration and Public Services (MAEFP) as well as the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) (Implementing Partners) in ensuring the availability of adequate financial resources for implementation of project activities;
- In consultation with the PFM specialist, initiate the development and preparation of annual work plans and budgets for the implementation of the project in close cooperation with responsible implementing partners, UNDP and other development partners;
- Provide the necessary guidance and advice to responsible partners on the formulation of Plans, request for funds, resource utilization and reporting;
- Review and ensure timely requests of quarterly advances as well as submission of quarterly and annual progress and financial reports to UNDP CO in accordance with project timelines;
- In coordination with the PFM specialist, ensure that inventory of equipment is maintained for the project in accordance with UNDP policies.
Provide quality programmatic and technical assistance
- Promote democratic governance and social cohesion through on-site advice and assistance to central and local government officials in order to help them to incorporate good governance practices into their day-to-day operations;
- Promote and contribute to the integration and mainstreaming of gender, human rights and other pertinent cross-cutting issues into Programme implementation;
- Engage with local governments, community members, and CSOs on constructive activities to improve local governance and service delivery, while facilitating the development of appropriate and innovative relationship structures amongst these cognizant of traditional structures, values, and practices;
- In coordination with the CTA and Project Coordinator supervise, train, and guide project staff;
- Participate in regular monitoring visits with project counterparts to assess the progress of project implementation;
- Promote new ideas on establishing relationships and leveraging activities of other development partners in the achievement of the project objectives;
Support the creation of strategic partnerships and network focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Liaise with all project partners from government and stakeholders and engage in regular meetings and networking with them;
- Develop and manage relevant stakeholder partnerships ensuring effective cross learning, capacity building and communication;
- Facilitate knowledge building, knowledge sharing and guidance to all responsible partners;
- Assist in negotiating contribution agreements with donors and ensure compliance of all reporting requirements;
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies:
- Management and Learning;
- Promotes knowledge management within the Project environment through leadership and personal example;
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
- Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
Inclusion and respect for diversity:
- Shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political conviction and other differences;
- Encourages the inclusion of all team members and stakeholders while demonstrating the ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations;
- Promotes the benefits of diversity; values diverse points of view and demonstrate this in daily work and decision making;
- Challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
- Ability to lead, formulate and manage project activities and reporting;
- Good IT skills;
- Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Management and Leadership:
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage project.
Communications:
- Listens to develop awareness of client’s needs;
- Respects difference of opinion;
- Finds common ground to solve problems;
- Demonstrates behaviors such as teamwork, maintaining relationships, and seeks guidance from supervisor to address issues;
- Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team and communicates effectively;
- Creates synergies through self-control;
- Manages conflict.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, International Relations, social science or related field.
Experience:
- Over 7 years of professional experience in project management / implementation;
- Detailed knowledge/familiarity of governance processes in Mozambique, required;
- Experience in working on decentralization/local governance, civic participation and social cohesion is an advantage;
- Strong understanding of and experience in programming and capability to translate needs into project strategies and work-plan;
- Demonstrated ability to work with Government institution, in coordination, leadership and group management (including in working with civil society / community-based organizations);
- Familiarity with UNDP NIM project implementation, and relevant UNDP policies and procedures is an advantage;
- Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment