Спеціаліст з розбудови інституційної спроможності ВРУ

Capacity Development Specialist

Location: Kyiv, UKRAINE
Application Deadline: 28-Feb-19 (Midnight New York, USA)
Time left: 13d 15h 10m
Type of Contract: Service Contract
Post Level: SB-4
Languages Required: English  
Duration of Initial Contract: 12 months with possible extension

Background

The EU-UNDP Parliamentary Reform Project (PRP) is aimed at strengthening the functioning of the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU), to become a progressively more effective, accountable and transparent institution in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities of legislation, oversight, and representation with positive influence on the overall process of EU-Ukraine Association Agreement implementation. The project strategy is aligned with the priorities of the EU’s Single Support Framework for Ukraine 2018 – 2020, the Government of Ukraine – UN Partnership Framework 2018–2022, and the UNDP Country Programme Document 2018 – 2022. It is built on achievements and lessons learnt of the EU-UNDP Rada for Europe project (2016-2018) and will continue to support parliamentary reform, including through promoting the implementation of the recommendations of the 2016 Needs Assessment Mission (NAM). For the continuation of parliamentary reform, top level leadership and political ownership is key, which will be assured through continuous high-level consultations with relevant stakeholders and full transparency of project implementation.

The project is an EU-funded initiative strongly connected to UNDP’s Democratic Governance Programme and comprises of three components. Component One, #Rada4Reforms, will focus on fostering the parliament’s role in the overall reform process with a particular emphasis on improvement of the legislative process and parliamentary oversight, by providing comprehensive expert support to the implementation of the VRU Roadmap for Internal Reform and Capacity Building, improving the quality draft law expertise and impact assessment, and enhancing parliamentary monitoring.

Component Two, #RadaPro, will support the professional modernization of the parliamentary Secretariat, through the finalisation and implementation of its strategic development plan and comprehensive human resource development, including in the Committee Secretariats, along the lines of broader public administration reform (PAR) and the law “On Civil Service”.

Component Three, #Transparent&Service-OrientedRada, by making use of new technologies for communications, civic education and participation in coherence will build stronger transparency and accountability links between  parliament and citizens with special focus of increasing public trust to the Ukrainian Parliament.

In this context, the United Nations Development Programme is recruiting a Capacity Development Specialist with relevant experience and track record.

The Capacity Development Specialist will be directly responsible for implementation of the Project’s Component Two, #RadaPro.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

• Develop and regularly update annual project’s capacity-building strategy for the VRU Apparatus and its implementation plan in coherence with the VRU Apparatus Strategic Development Plan and taking into account objectives of the Project Output 2 – RadaPro;
• Co-ordinate technical advice and support to the VRU Reform working group;
• Organise and oversee the implementation of the project capacity building and awareness-raising initiatives (trainings, workshops, etc.) in coherence with the VRU Apparatus Strategic Development Plan and taking into account objectives of the Project Output 2;; 
• Develop (based on regular open call for expression of interest), mobilise and maintain an inventory of national and international capacity development experts according to the VRU Apparatus Strategic Development Plan and other connected strategies
• Ensure coherence and synergies of the project’s capacity-building intervention with other donors’ and Ukrainian institutions initiatives in the field
• Lead the production of online learning / training materials, programmes and tools as envisaged by the project;
• Monitor the impact of project capacity development activities;
• Elaborate necessary documentation (concept notes, briefs, fundraising considerations) to  operationalize and steer project initiatives and activities under the Project Output 2;
• Coordinate development of project activities on strengthening capacity of VRU Apparatus under the Project Output 2 taking into account, inter alia, Needs Assessment Mission recommendations, including consulting with key stakeholders at the VRU, EU and other donors projects, civil society, and relevant government institutions, and drafting proposed workplan in this area;
• Conduct research and analysis, process data, elaborate necessary documentation to operationalize and steer project initiatives and activities;
• Lead the process of developing knowledge products, by codification of experiences and lessons learnt in capacity building of the VRU Apparatus under the Project Output 2, including structural organisation, procedures, human resource management, strategic planning and operational management of the VRU Apparatus;
• Draft policy recommendations on strengthening capacity of VRU Apparatus, taking into account, inter alia, the NAM recommendations and other relevant policy proposals;
• Provide technical advice, liaise with the key stakeholders, officials of the Parliament, partner organizations, international and national advisors and experts in the areas of the Project intervention;
• Closely cooperate and coordinate with the stakeholders that are/will be active in the area of project intervention to better integrate UNDP’s and other’s interventions in the area of Parliamentary support and to ensure coherence and complementarity;
• Contribute to the preparation of the project’s progress reports and related monitoring meetings;
• Supervise the team of individual consultants related to Project Output 2 and other activities forms in the area of parliamentary capacity development;
• Ensure quality assessment of the products produced by project’s external consultants;
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor, and UNDP Ukraine Leadership.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

• Project deliverables under the Output 2 – #RadaPro – are timely achieved, with an emphasis on measurable results and quality, and properly reported;
• Number of confirmed assumptions with regard to the implementation of expected deliverables under the Output 2 by the VRU;
• Beneficiaries’  learning outcome accomplished at a satisfactory level;
• Quality of thematic learning and knowledge sharing materials;
• Project-related analytical materials are timely prepared and disseminated;
• Programmatic activities in the related project Component are duly overseen, timely enhanced, and properly reported.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

• Project technical activities under Output 2 are implemented in a timely fashion with an emphasis on measurable results and quality, and properly reported;
• Assumptions with regard to the implementation of expected project deliverables under the Output 2 by the VRU are confirmed at appropriate level;
• The need for capacity-building materials identified and addressed;
• Project capacity-building plan is designed in line with the Strategic Development Plan of the VRU Apparatus, regularly updated and implemented;
• Number of capacity-building events conducted;
• Number of policy papers, thematic briefs, pieces of legislation under Output 2 developed;
• Project-related analytical materials are timely prepared and disseminated.

Competencies

• Excellent writing, communication and organization skills;
• Mature judgment combined with a proactive approach to problem solving; excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to work in team;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Knowledge  of  project management;
• Familiarity with the parliamentary reform and public administration reform in Ukraine, good understanding of policy making cycle;
• Excellent analytical skills.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, public administration, law, international relations, social sciences or related field;
• A minimum of three years of professional work experience in institutional reform and capacity building of public institutions at the national and/or international level, in project management or related area;
• Experience in supporting structural reorganisation, introduction of performance management and business processes reengineering (including human rights management in public administration) would be a strong asset;
• Experience in mobilizing national and international expertise for institutional reform and capacity development would be an asset;
• Experience in cooperation with governmental structures, international agencies, civil society organizations would be an asset;
• Excellent knowledge of computer applications ;
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian languages is required, fluency in Russian is desired.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 28 February 2019

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.