Senior National Advisor - NPPP IV (FOR NEPALESE NATIONALS ONLY ) - NEX PROJECT – UNDP – Kathmandu, Nepal

Location: Kathmandu, NEPAL

Application Deadline: 28-Feb-13

Additional Category: Democratic Governance

Type of Contract: Other

Post Level: Other

Languages Required: English 

Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)   01-Jun-2013

Duration of Initial Contract: Initially for one year (with possibilities of extension)

Background

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), and the interim Constitution 2007  laid out an agenda for change, including a commitment to carry out a progressive restructuring of the State to address problems related to centralization and discrimination.   The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nepal has a mission to provide substantial contribution to accelerating the achievement of the national Millennium Development Goals through capacity building and policy advice in the areas of poverty reduction, good governance, environmental sustainability, gender equality and human rights.  Within the framework of this overall assistance, UNDP is planning to provide  assistance to the Government of  Nepal in developing the institutional framework and capacities, needed for public sector reform in the context of the re-structuring process of the country. The Project to “Prepare the Public Administration for State Reform” is a catalytic initiative to support the transformational change that Nepal has embarked upon. The project will embark on reform agenda that focuses on ensuring quality services and opportunities to the excluded and disadvantaged group of people in the context of state restructuring. The overall objective of the present project is to assist the Nepal government key institutions (Ministry of General Administration, Public Service Commission and other related ministries/departments) for strengthening their existing system and getting  prepared  to deal with federalizing the administration in the context of the state re-structuring. The project also seeks to develop the capacities of the key institutions to deliver efficient services to the Nepali people, facilitate interactions/dialogue within executive and legislative bodies on administrative restructuring issues, and promote development through empowering the civil society for better understanding on various issues around state restructuring and federalization process. The project will also contribute in writing of a series of framework laws, rules and regulations based on the constitution, will help for the federalization process of the administration backed by strong strategic document with an action plan. The Project support to carry out various interactions between the civil service and political decision makers on options of administrative reform will foster dialogue and debate on public administration and civil service which will bring development to the people and ensure that the expression of the political structure through the public service is as inclusive and representative as possible.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall direction of the National Project Director, the Senior National Advisor will provide high-quality technical, research and policy advisory supports to national (beneficiary) institutions involved in preparing the public administration for the effective service delivery in the federal structure  and in supporting managing the transition to the new structure. The incumbent will act as the principal interface between the national stakeholders and the development partners involved in the funding of the project and acts as the principal coordinator of technical assistance in the area of Public Administration and State Restructuring.   S/he will provide technical leadership to the project team of (resident and visiting) researchers and experts and ensure cooperation and coordination between the policy work and key stakeholders and partners – national and international.   More specifically the Senior National Advisor  will:    Lead the project  Policy research and advisory services Ensure regular interaction with high level state institutions to assess their policy research needs in the area of public administration and state restructuring and define accordingly where the project can play an effective role in supporting or coordinating an appropriate response. Coordinate and execute the identification, consideration, and implementation of requests for specialist advisory services, vetting the requests for relevance and inclusion in the donor support strategy and arranging for implementation (in consultation with the project manager regarding financing) Prepare policy papers, options papers and analytical reports, reflecting on international experiences and strategies in relation to the federalization process. Ensure, as needed, the project’s support to Government or Legislative drafting committees on new laws and regulations related to the state restructuring process Provide overall quality assurance, in particular also from a conflict sensitive perspective,  for the facility’s policy research, option papers and comparative studies to inform policy development and decision-making on the state restructuring process in Nepal Oversee the preparation of Terms of References for the recruitment of additional short-term high-quality expertise on the various aspects of regional integration and cooperation. Manage dialogue, partnerships and external relations  Build and maintain relationships between the project and Nepali political leaders, decisions makers in government and other stakeholders and promote and facilitate a sustained policy dialogue on state restructuring and public administration with all relevant national and local counterparts, Develop informal networks and relationships of trust with decision-makers and policy makers in the different government agencies and ministries, the constituent assembly, the political parties and non-governmental sector, professional associations, the local research community etc.   Develop and maintain partnerships with internationally renowned academic institutions and think tanks, particularly specialized in public administration reform and federalization. Ensure relationships with UNDP, and UN agencies as well as with the development partners; provide briefings as needed to the donor working group on governance, UNDP senior management and the special donor task force on transition.     Facilitate advocacy, sensitization and communication  Support and facilitate government and legislature’s efforts to inform the public on the state restructuring agenda, working with the ministries, agencies and bodies mandated to do so. Sub-contract national associations and NGOs, on behalf of the national institutions, to conduct such advocacy and sensitization work as needed to ensure broader engagement or awareness of the public and civil servants in the state restructuring process Advise national institutions on the timely dissemination of policy research and policy options and their implications to the appropriate constituencies, media and other stakeholders through various means such as policy dialogues, workshops and seminars, media campaigns etc. Ensure gender and social inclusion: Ensuring gender and social inclusion while planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation wherever possible.

Competencies

Corporate values: Demonstrates integrity Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly without favoritism. Knowledge of the institutions of government in Nepal In-depth knowledge of the development, political and socio-economic situation in Nepal; First-hand experience working within the governance environment in Nepal, working or having worked either at a high-level function in government, political forums or academic institution.  Ability to advocate and provide policy advice at the highest levels of state institutions; Management and Leadership Excellent interpersonal skills; Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills; Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors, at the senior levels; Ability to perform under pressure and manage complex  assignments;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  Master’s or higher degree in Public Administration, Management. Preferably PhD     Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience for Master degree holder and 5 years of experience for PhD holder in government and international organization, of which 50% experience from international organization. The person should have experience in public sector reform in federal or multi-level government context. The person with experience in post conflict context will have an added value.    Language Requirements: Fluency in Nepali and written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of a second national language highly recommended.

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.

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