BACKGROUND

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.

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.

UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2020-2024 aims at supporting the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in all its forms and to reduce inequalities and the vulnerability of the population. To this end, an integrated approach to three main priorities has been adopted: (1) promotion of governance: which aims to improve the legal and institutional environment necessary to strengthen the inclusion of target populations in decision-making and promote their well-being; (2) economic transformation: which aims to support the achievement of a structural transformation towards a sustainable and inclusive green economy using a human development approach; and (3) stabilization and resilience: which targets support to fragile and conflict-affected regions through a comprehensive and integrated package of support.

The programmatic approach to governance in the DRC as articulated in the CPD is based on the premise that sound governance policies, institutions and practices are essential for sustainable and inclusive development. It is believed that effective democratic governance anchored in legitimate and transparent institutions, inclusive legal frameworks, and equal and inclusive participation will enhance the well-being of the population, and poverty reduction is more likely to be sustainable if people are given the opportunity to influence the decision-making process and share the benefits of development. On the other hand, the rule of law – which ensures that the government operates in accordance with constitutional provisions, is accountable to the law, guarantees due process and provides remedies for violations of rights – is particularly important for people living in extreme poverty, who face discrimination and exclusion, with a negative impact on their access to quality and fair justice. Strengthening the rule of law contributes to the effective resolution of disputes, the reduction of corruption and impunity, and the creation of an enabling environment for investments, business, and the structural transformation of the economy.

UNDP focuses on supporting democratic institutions, citizen participation, and decentralization, by (i) creating conditions for increased national ownership of the electoral process; (ii) enhanced parliamentary strengthening and improved citizen engagement; (iii) increased decentralization and local development through the equitable participation of men and women in the decision-making and related processes, as well as strengthened capacity of decentralized territorial entities for a reasonably effective and efficient public service management; and (iv) assisting, through the Presidential Strategic Policy Unit, in addressing delivery capability gaps and driving public sector performance systematic and regular monitoring and reporting.

UNDP strengthens justice, security, and rule of law through (i) the implementation of the justice reform national policy and the police reform action plan, as well as the fight against impunity of international crimes, especially within the framework of the drawdown of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO); (ii) the implementation of national strategies and plans against sexual and gender-based violence; and (iii) the improvement of the strategic, legal and institutional anti-corruption frameworks, in addition to the design and implementation of an effective national action plan.

To support the operationalization of its Governance and Democratic Institutions pillar, UNDP DRC recruits a (m/f) Team Leader, with the principal objective to (i) lead the development and implementation of a strong programmatic offer in the practice area of Governance and Democratic Institutions with a focus on institutional reform and development, inclusion and participation, decentralization, and rule of law; (ii) manage the UNDP programmatic unit on this area; and (iii) ensure the technical leadership and coordination in the provision of advisory services and capacity building related to this area to national institutions and other key national stakeholders while ensuring close coordination and strong partnership with the government of the DRC, other UN entities, and members of the international community.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Team Leader of the Governance and Democratic Institutions pillar in the UNDP programme should have a clear and comprehensive vision of the transitional challenges in DRC. Her/his vision of development should pragmatically integrate the fundamental orientation of UNDP in the overall Focus Areas of institutional reform and development, citizen participation, decentralization, and rule of law.

Under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative (RR) and direct supervision of the Deputy RR/Programme, the Team Leader will function as the principal advisor on Governance and Democratic Institutions in UNDP-DRC, ensure Team-Leadership and overall direction and management of the “Programmatic Pillar 1” portfolio and provide cross-cutting expert advice on the UNDP country programme.

He/she will serve as the focal point for the formulation, partnership building and resource mobilization, programme development, implementation, and management of the UNDP Country Programme in the practice area of Governance and Democratic Institutions. This practice area covers two components: a.) democratic institutions, citizen participation, and decentralization; and b.) justice, security, and rule of law.

The Team Leader will be an effective team player, as his/her work will be coordinated with his/her colleagues responsible for other UNDP practice areas including Inclusive and Sustainable Development, Stabilization and Resilience, and important cross-cutting areas such as Monitoring & Evaluation, Gender, and Communication.

Advocacy and Capacity building

• Advice UNDP and the national counterparts in all matters related to his/her speciality, including the following, but not only:

• Identification of specific areas/niches of interventions.
• Identification of institutional needs for capacity development.
• Identification of Civil Society needs for capacity development.

• Jointly with the other programme managers of UNDP, development of interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial policies in all areas related to Governance and Democratic Institutions.
• Support the Country Office in the identification of the needs and priorities of the various tiers of government, non-state actors especially Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), women and youth groups, and other relevant stakeholders in institutional reform and development, citizen participation, decentralization, and rule of law.
• Formulate the strategy for engagement with the various tiers of government, non-state actors; especially CSOs, women and youth groups, and other relevant stakeholders in institutional reform and development, citizen participation, decentralization, and rule of law, and recommend appropriate interventions ensuring synergies between various actors.
• Strengthen UNDP’s substantive in-house capacity in the area Governance and Democratic Institutions, by providing substantive support and organizing capacity-building activities to enhance UNDP capacities in the area of Governance and Democratic Institutions.
• Promote awareness and understanding within the various tiers of government, civil society and other relevant stakeholders with regard to the norms and standards of democratic governance, equal and inclusive participation, and human rights

Programme development

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the UNDP DRC Country Programme in the democratic governance sector, taking into account the operational and political complexities, with a view of designing effective results in the practice area of Governance and Democratic Institutions.
• Ensure that democratic governance issues are systematically addressed in the UNDP planning and results-based management processes, identify bridging arrangements, execution modalities and exit strategies, and ensure that performance monitoring, evaluations and impact assessments are carried out, contribute in his/her specialty to the development of the joint programming exercise with MONUSCO and the UN sisters’ agencies.
• Ensure that the programme effectively contributes to results in gender and the promotion of women and youths in development in line with UNDP’s mandates.

Programme management

• She/he will ensure optimal financial planning and identification of human resource requirements within the area of democratic governance.
• She/he will lead on overall delivery of programme/projects and other related resources within the purview of the pillar.
• Support the Country Office in the development of innovative and appropriate implementation modalities that respond to the uniqueness of the current political and operational context in DRC.
• In coordination with the Advocacy and Quality Assurance Unit/Programme, ensures proper monitoring and evaluation of the democratic governance programmatic results.
• Coordinates UNDP’s initiatives on institutional reform and development, citizen participation, decentralization, and rule of law within UNDP, MONUSCO, other United Nations agencies and donors, and develops inter-agency synergies and complementarities.
• Contributes for the development of partnership strategies with regard to providers of specialized expertise and co-financers, and support UNDP and UN Country Team in resource mobilization for the implementation of programme design.
• Collaborates closely with the cross-cutting units, especially Advocacy and Quality Assurance Unit/Programme, with a view to ensuring that the programme is responsive to beneficiary and donor needs and requirements, and that results are communicated in a timely and transparent manner.
• Perform other tasks as requested by the RR and the Deputy RR/Programme.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s degree in Law, Political Science, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related Social Sciences

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively relevant professional experience in either public (national or multilateral, including the UN) or private sectors (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with extensive field experience in leadership positions.
• Demonstrated track of substantive development policy and management expertise.
• Knowledge of UN/UNDP policies, programming frameworks, and procedures, proven ability to design and facilitate complex development interventions.
• Ability to use information technology effectively as a tool and resource.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in French is required.
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English is an asset.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

People Management Competencies

• Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities 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

Directly supervise the Programme Analysts, Programme Specialists and Projects Managers as well as provide overall management and development of the Pilar I portfolio.

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Management: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Electoral Cycle Support
• Inclusion and Participation
• Decentralization
• Transparency and Anti-corruption
• SDG 16

2030 Agenda: Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Rule of Law, Justice and Security

Business Management: Results-based Management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects,

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

UNDP Disclaimer for FTA/TA International Posts

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

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.

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.