LED Jobs & Opportunity

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is currently recruiting a Capacity Building Expert for Lilongwe, Malawi.

The Government of Malawi (GoM) recognises that only with an effective public service can the goals of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) be achieved. In this light the GoM is commencing a programme to review and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of implementation of public programmes and management of service delivery. Successful implementation of programmes and service delivery rely on efficient execution of cross-cutting functions such as programme & project management, procurement, human resource management, financial management, audit, and information technology. This programme focuses on implementation and service delivery capacities of the Water, Health, Education, and Agriculture sectors as well as the National HIV/AIDS programme. However, without strong national policies, standards, and systems within institutions like the Ministry of Development Planning & Cooperation (MDPC), Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Director of Public Procurement (ODPP), the Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD), the National Audit Office and the Office of the Accountant General, programmes cannot be implemented effectively.

UNDP is supporting GoM in this programme through the Capacity Development for Public Sector Management Programme (the "Programme"). This programme has already assessed and analyzed existing capacities in implementation areas, defined capacity development strategies and plans, and is supporting the implementation of capacity development strategic plans within relevant ministries.

The specific objectives of the initial stage of the Programme were to:

• Conduct capacity assessment exercises in participating ministries to identify current capacities and define capacity gaps
• Design capacity development strategies to improve public sector management and effectiveness of service delivery in participating ministries
• Design capacity development strategies for the management of Sector Wide Approach or Sector-based programming for the Water, Agriculture, and Education sectors
• The next stage entails quality support for the implementation of the strategies.

Scope of the Programme

The focus of the Programme is on cross-cutting functions namely:

• Public Procurement
• Public Financial Management
• Human Resource Management
• Information and Communication Technology
• Project Management
• Audit and Reporting
• Sector Coordination and Management
• The Programme not only supports those national institutions responsible for these cross-cutting functions but gave them the responsibility and ownership for conducting and managing their respective capacity assessments, strategies, and implementation plans.
• The Programme will target these cross-cutting functions as well as support sector-wide management approaches (SWAPs).
• Under the auspices of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS), in November 2008, the Government of Malawi launched 16 Sector Working Groups (SWGs) as the basis for programme planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Three of these SWGs fall under theme 5 of the MGDS, namely 'Improved Governance'. UNDP has agreed to support this theme of the MGDS by providing targeted assistance to institutionalize the following three SWGs: (i) Economic Governance, (ii) Democratic Governance, and (iii) Public Administration.

In view of the above, the Capacity Building Specialist will be required to support, coordinate and develop the Public Administration SWG, its structure, policy and planning framework. The priority of this position is to assure the delivery of high quality and sustainable outputs and outcomes in accordance with Government policy to Institutionalize SWGs and establish SWAPs where necessary. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the policy, managerial and technical aspects and advise the Programme Manager of the Capacity
• Development Public Sector Management Program in liaison with the stakeholders
• Support the development of annual work plans and budgets in close cooperation with relevant ministries owning these plans
• Support the Program Manager in structuring, planning, monitoring, reporting, and financing
• Provide ongoing monitoring of the Programme to anticipate and troubleshoot problems and issues (including substantive or administrative issues), track milestones and concrete progress on activities, and recommend and ensure appropriate action
• Ensure a high level of quality, accuracy, and reliability of information and analysis
• Provide oversight, feedback, and guidance to UNDP senior management, and upon request other UN agencies, with regards to capacity development needs and initiatives and UN strategic positioning
• Participation in United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) cluster 5 meetings and other meetings upon request
• Support development of a unified capacity development (CD) strategy to promote harmonization and collaboration among the UN Agencies in the implementation of CD program and to improve delivery of CD services in the country.
• Support capacity development workshops and events as appropriate to showcase GoM initiatives and successes as supported through UNDP and development partners
• Develop system-wide network for continued sharing of lessons and practices on capacity development.
• Provides strategic guidance and advice, and technical leadership on the coordination of the Public Administration sector to establish an operational SWG structure and Sector Wide Approaches (SWAPs).  
• Assist in the overall coordination of the Public Administration sector and specifically be responsible for facilitating the integration of all its sub-sectors, agencies and existing projects into the SWG framework;  
• Nurture the participatory process initiated by the Government of Malawi in developing a coordinated Public Administration SWG, by working closely with all key stakeholders in the sector; 
• Support the sector to identify and develop synergies and partnerships with other national and international actors at the strategic, technical and operational levels;  
• Conduct advocacy including raising the profile and the image of the Public Administration sector;
  Work closely with the Assistant Resident Representative/Cluster Leader responsible for Capacity Development and the Program Analyst in UNDP

Competencies

• Comprehensive knowledge, experience and record of achievements in providing quality advisory services to governments in public sector development and related issues;  
• International experience in institutional capacity building and in analyzing and restructuring public sector management including in areas of public finance management and audit, HR management, public procurement, administrative common service, sector coordination and management and public project management.
• Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to analyze and articulate complex issues that require a coordinated UN response;
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgement in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
• Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery);
• Very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines.

Required skills and experience

• Master's degree (M.A.) in Public Administration or equivalent
• At least 7 years relevant work experience at international level in managing complex Programmes
• At least 5 years work experience in capacity development
• Experience in international development work
• Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa an added advantage but not essential

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