Programme Associate – Governance

Eswatini is a landlocked, low Middle-Income Country with has a population of approximately 1.1 million of whom 51% are women. The median age of emaSwati is 20 years old with 47,37 per cent of the youth being unemployed. Aapproximately 59 per cent of the population live below the national poverty line and 20.1 per cent below the extreme poverty line. The country is prone to shocks from climate-action including drought conditions that exacerbate the country’s risk to increased food insecurity. Approximately, 27 per cent of the population continue to face chronic food insecurity.  The country faces high unemployment, especially of the youth and government interventions to curb the impact of COVID-19 on economy, social welfare, health, and education are considered ineffective. GBV, sexual abuse and discriminatory sexual behaviour and practices remain a major concern in a country that has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world with approximately 27.3 per cent of the population affected.

The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated preexisting economic challenges in the country. Additionally, the Kingdom of Eswatini was recently faced with unprecedented violence and civil unrest across the country. During the month of June, there were calls for systematic political reforms through various forums including mass movements to deliver petitions to community leaders. This was followed by violent protests and extensive damage of private and public property and infrastructure, as well as widespread looting.  The situation calmed down following the deployment of armed forces. Most areas of the country remain calm, but there is a tense political atmosphere. It is characterized by irregular acts of arson targeting public infrastructure, especially schools.

The added civil unrest in the country presents grave challenges to all parties involved on how best to chart a way forward and how to manage the change necessary to get there. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) a key trusted partner to the Kingdom of Eswatini over the years is supporting the country to assess the new circumstances to leverage more appropriate support for the Government and the people of Eswatini.  Building on the provisions of the new UNDP CPD and the strong partnerships UNDP enjoys with key governance institutions, UNDP is strategically positioned to provide technical and advisory support to facilitate peaceful resolutions to the current crisis. Thus, UNDP will leverage and harness its comparative advantage to respond to identified country needs, in accordance with national plans, needs and priorities and respecting national ownership.

The UNDP has mobilized technical and financial resources to support the country during and in transitioning from these shocks. There is a Governance Advisor who will provide technical guidance in the transition process and programmatic direction for three months. The mobilized resources will be used to undertake short term activities aimed at ensuring protection of human rights which include documenting and engaging government on findings on the ground and opening space for dialogue. These funds will also provide seed funding for a development investment for medium and long-term purposes. All the activities will build on each other and on the CO’s governance portfolio prior and current engagements to ensure sustainability. Therefore, the project/program assistant will support these interventions and related governance work technically and administratively.  Under direct supervision of the Governance Specialist, and the overall guidance of the DRR the Programme Associate provides programme support services ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project staff in the CO and UNDP HQ as required to exchange information and support programme delivery.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Support to formulation of programme strategies as informed by the CCA, UNSDCF, CPD and other relevant documents.
• Support to management of the CO governance programme in particular the Rule of Law , Human Rights programs.
• Provide administrative support to the Programme Specialist, Governance
• Support to resource mobilization activities.
• Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing activities. 
• Supports formulation of programme strategies and the Country Programme focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Collection, analysis and presentation of information for identification of areas for support and programme formulation/ implementation, particularly in addressing governance issues (such as human rights, legal and judiciary reform, decentralization, parliament strengthening, anti-corruption, and cross cutting issues such as transparency, accountability and participation, youth, gender and disability,) facing the country in partnership with government and relevant stakeholders.   
• Conduct an analysis of the groundwork necessary for the effective execution of the governance project post the unrest.
• Administrative and technical support towards the implementation of the governance Rule of Law and Human rights Programs.

Supports formulation of programme strategies and the Country Programme focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Collection, analysis and presentation of information for identification of areas for support and programme formulation/ implementation, particularly in addressing governance issues (such as human rights, legal and judiciary reform, decentralization, parliament strengthening, anti-corruption, and cross cutting issues such as transparency, accountability and participation, youth, gender and disability,) facing the country in partnership with government and relevant stakeholders.   
• Conduct an analysis of the groundwork necessary for the effective execution of the governance project post the unrest.
• Administrative and technical support towards the implementation of the governance Rule of Law and Human rights Programs.

Provides administrative support to the Programme Specialist, Governance focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitate development partnership agreements, convening of partner meetings, and documentation of the same.
• Provides guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, 
• based on corporate policies and procedures.
• Systematic follow up of partnership to ensure effective implementation and timely reporting
• Preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system including timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
• Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas.
• Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers.

Supports resource mobilization and strategic partnerships focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support resource mobilization efforts for the governance program through preparation of supporting documentation as necessary.  
• Analysis of information on donors and development partners, preparation of partner profile, in support of resource mobilization landscaping and formulation of strategies
• Systematic follow up on available resources and reporting modalities.
• Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas.
• Support in the development of strategic partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, Government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in governance thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor priorities.

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitate partner trainings on UNDP requirements for effective program management and other related trainings.
• Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the governance unit and success in implementation of programme strategies. Accurate data entry and financial information have an impact on the quality and implementation of the UNDP programme. A client-oriented and efficient approach impact on the image of UNDP in the country.

Functional Competencies:             

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Strong project management skills.
• Positive, constructive attitude and consistently approaches work with energy.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback.

Level 1.1: Support the preparation of information for advocacy

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences
• Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.1: Maintaining information and databases

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives
• Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 1.1: Implementing processes and uses products

• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

Level 1.1: Providing information for resource mobilization strategies

• Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Maintains database of project files
• Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents
• Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 1.1: Basic research and analysis

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
• Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.1: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Strong analytical and management skills applied to managing and reviewing programmes/projects, including human and financial resources, ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines, knowledge of current national development policies and activities.
•  Ability to organize work and collaborate effectively with a wide range of teams and work with individuals of different national and cultural backgrounds, including networking across professional, thematic and organizational boundaries.
• Working experience in developing countries. Basic knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies, guidelines. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Level 1.1: Research and analysis

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences

Client Orientation

Level 1.1:  Maintains effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
• Responds to client needs promptly

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Education:

• Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance
• University Degree in Law or Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• 4 years of progressively responsible in design, monitoring & evaluation of programmes, project planning in the governance and human rights or related fields.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirement:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and SiSwati.

Additional Information:

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the “Apply now” button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit “submit application” tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.  Personal History Form (P11 form);

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.