Programme Specialist, Local Governance

The two-year conflict in Northern Ethiopia has triggered a major humanitarian crisis in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions with profound adverse effects on Ethiopia’s ambitious economic and governance reforms. The conflict resulted in significant loss of lives; displacement of millions needing humanitarian assistance; and large-scale damage to infrastructure and services. On 2^nd of November 2022, an agreement for lasting peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities was signed between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GoE) and the TPLF. Led by the AU, the Peace Agreement has ended active combat in Northern Ethiopia and raised hope for a gradual restoration of services and humanitarian operations in the region. This wide-ranging agreement committed, among other things, to an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities, the creation of an interim administration in Tigray region pending regional elections, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants (XCs), resumption of unhindered humanitarian access, the restoration of essential services, reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returning refugees, transitional justice, social cohesion and reconciliation, and recovery and reconstruction. The peace agreement also paves the way for the restoration of peace, security, and stability in the Afar, Amhara and Tigray Regions. 

It is in this context that UNDP has developed a ‘Peace Support Programme/Facility (PSP/F)’ nested within the Federal Government’s Resilient Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) but focused on urgent actions over a period of 24 months to stabilize conditions, restore a sense of normalcy, and deliver a first peace dividend to conflict-impacted populations.  The approach is to fill the gap that is likely to open between the urgency of addressing a wide range of priority needs quickly to consolidate peace and stabilize conditions and the time it will take for the larger, longer-term, and more comprehensive 3R Framework to kick-in meaningfully, possibly in late-2024, at the earliest.  Moreover, the PSP/F is designed flexibly, so that it could potentially be scaled-up to become the foundation of a larger UN-wide effort in the same direction.  In line with this approach, the PSP/F is being implemented already in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions. 

The strategic goal of the PSP/F is to contribute toward an irreversible peace process in Northern Ethiopia.  This will be pursued through an actionable set of measures that can build trust between communities and legitimate regional government authorities and lay the foundations for recovery, peacebuilding, and sustainable development, founded upon country leadership and ownership.

Working within the broader framework of 3RF, the PSP/F will focus on the following windows: 

• Window 1:  Local Governance, Human Rights and Social Cohesion
• Window 2:  Basic Social Services (health, nutrition, education, WASH, protection)
• Window 3:  Economic Revival (enterprises and agriculture, demining)
• Window 4:  Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants 
• Window 5:   Solutions to Internal Displacement

Geographic Focus:  Afar, Amhara and Tigray (Northern Ethiopia); Window 4 Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants (8 regions)

Target conflict-impacted populations:  10 million

Timelines for implementation:  June 2023 - May 2025

In view of this, UNDP would like to recruit a competent Local Governance Programme Specialist who would join the Peace Support Office team effectively delivering the on the Peace Support Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

1. Implementation of UNDP Peace Support Programme in the areas assigned – local governance.
2. Provision of technical advice services internally within UNDP Peace Support programme Team and externally to regional government and non-governmental counterparts
3. Facilitation of knowledge building and management 
4. Implementation of UNDP corporate and UNDP Ethiopia’s strategies in the peace support and peace building sector.
5. Provision of support for strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office  

 1. Implementation of UNDP Peace Support Programme, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis and research of the political and governance situation in the targeted regions on a continuous basis with a particular focus of areas that have impacts on UNDP’s programmes/projects,
• Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned based on the above analysis, as well as UNDP’s corporate priorities and comparative advantages,  
• Regular monitoring and analysis of assigned programmes and projects, and suggest timely readjustments in portfolio as and when necessary,
• Effective application of RBM tools, monitoring achievement of results and contribution to team and office-wide initiatives and activities, 
• Determination of required revisions/adjustments, and coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises,
• Coordination of programme/project implementation with implementing partners according to agreed-upon priorities, Annual Work Plans, and available resources,
• Financial and substantive monitoring of projects, analysis of the programme/project environment, identification of operational and financial challenges and propose timely adjustments and/solutions,
• Regular field monitoring visits, reporting back on findings and recommendations, follow-up to ensure timely implementation of the recommendations to build the capacity of the implementing partners,
• Compilation of project/programme progress reports, distilling lessons learnt, contribution to UNDP corporate reporting requirements,
• Ensure adherence of UNDP-supported work to safeguards: HACT, ESS, human rights, ‘leaving no one behind’, and ‘doing no harm’, updates risks and risk mitigation, to inform future and progress on implementation,
• Ensures that approaches to gender equality are integrated into all aspects of planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. 

2. Provision of technical advice services internally within UNDP PSO team and externally to regional government and non-governmental counterparts focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identify programmatic entry points through gap assessments and actively contribute to formulation of new interventions/activities within the area of responsibility-Local Governance,
• Assess capacity needs in collaborating regional institutions and help develop well-structured and sustainable capacity development plans for addressing them, 
• Build strong and trusted relationship with regional counterparts, including zonal and woreda officials, as well as with target communities,
• Keeping abreast of policy changes and trends regarding public sector management, local governance, civil society, and community development, analyze them and inform the Peace Support Office Management,
• Develop concept papers, briefing notes, issues papers and analytical pieces to inform UNDP policymaking and programming,
• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues,
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme objectives and priorities,

3. Implementation of UNDP corporate and UNDP Ethiopia’s strategies in the peace support and peace building sector

• Thorough analysis and research of the political and governance situation in the country on a continuous basis with a particular focus of areas that have impacts on UNDP’s programmes/projects, feeding into the UNCSDF, SP and CPD,
• Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned based on the above analysis, as well as UNDP’s corporate priorities and comparative advantages, 
• Keeping abreast of policy changes and trends regarding local governance and analyze them and inform head and deputy head of peace support office.
• Develop concept papers, briefing notes, issues papers and analytical pieces to inform UNDP policymaking and programming.
• Regular monitoring and analysis of assigned programmes and projects and suggest timely readjustments in portfolio as and when necessary.

4. Provision of support on strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts of the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and partner’s priorities,
• Preparation of briefing notes, statements, talking points and speeches for Senior Management related to programmes and projects under custody,
• Maintenance of project briefs and activity information for bilateral donors, civil society, academia, private sector, and other stakeholders to support UNDP’s visibility activities.
• Perform other activities as assigned by the Head, Deputy Head of the Peace Support Office 

5. Facilitate knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Sound contribution to knowledge building, networks, and communities of practice, 
• Systematic recording of best practices and lessons learnt in the areas assigned,
• Coordination of internal and external reviews and evaluations and facilitation of application of lessons in future programming,
• Organization of trainings for implementing partners, operations/projects staff on programme management issues applying RBM tools,
• Synthesize lessons learnt and best practices in project/programme implementation and participate actively in relevant communities of practice,
• Prepare and/or contribute to communications materials, including audio-visual products, on UNDP’s Peace Support Programme and other related efforts,

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and direct supervision of D/Director, Peace Support Office, local governance Specialist is responsible for ensuring effective management of the Peace Support Programme, providing technical and operational support to the design, implementation and monitoring and reporting activities. The position holder is also expected to assist in the interface between UNDP and its implementing partners in the targeted regions, most notably justice, human rights, and security institutions. The incumbent would be required to support the conduct of the requisite analytical and situational assessment to inform programme design and understand trends and patterns that impact on the programme. He/she provides policy and technical advisory services to regional government counterparts as well as UNDP.

The Programme Specialist is expected to work independently, with minimal supervision but in close collaboration with the programme colleagues within the Country Office, and to actively engage with government partners and other actors.

Impact of Results

The results to be delivered by the Programme Specialist will ensure effective implementation of UNDP’s Peace Support Programme in Northern Ethiopia. Further, it will enhance UNDP’s ability to enhance local infrastructures, systems and institutions for sustainable development and peace in the targeted regions, thus enabling the Country Office deliver on its commitments to partners – government, donors and protect communities. 

UNDP’s stakeholders and partners are increasingly requiring that we demonstrate greater development results and harmonization by ensuring implementation of programmes and projects in a more integrated and coherent manner, and by adapting a results-based project management, ultimately ensuring sustainability of development results. This capacity would allow UNDP to offer to partners – government and donors, implementation of sound projects and programmes that are evidence-based, relevant and effective. The results will also facilitate a new paradigm by applying portfolio approach in programming that ensures alignment and complementarity, shared learning, and value for money.

Competencies

Core

• 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.

Cross-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.
• Business Development - Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Business Management - Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals, Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy, policies, and priorities, Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks and Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making.
• 2030 Agenda: Peace – Governance: Local governance, planning and assessment, restoration of key government function.
• 2030 Agenda: Peace – Governance: people with disabilities, planning and basic service delivery, inclusion and participation, civic society engagement.
• 2030 Agenda: Peace - Governance and Responsive Institutions: Local Governance systems, Restoration of key government functions; Area Based Development; Sub-national and local government capacities for planning, coordination, and crisis management.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Regional/Area Development, Local Governance, Community Development, Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Public Policy, or related disciplines

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at national or international level in project management and provision of technical advisory services,
• Experience in the usage of advanced computers and office software packages, including Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and common internet applications and handling of web-based systems.

Required skills:

• Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, private sector, project staffs,)
• Practical experience in organization management, strategic planning of associations and public organizations at the national and regional level;
• Hands-on experience in the design, monitoring and evaluation and impact analysis of local governance projects and programmes.
• Demonstrated working level experience in governance institutions, public policy analysis and capacity development.
• Good knowledge and understanding of Ethiopia, including local governance, political, economic, and social context.

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

• Familiarity with programmatic issues surrounding local governance, relief to recovery transition.
• Capacity for responsible problem-solving and troubleshooting.
• Experience in the field of post-conflict coordination and proven analytical capacity, especially for issues relating to local governance; 
• Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to reconstruction and development, and a good knowledge of the United Nations System and the multi/bilateral cooperation.

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in English and official language of the duty station is required.