National Parliament Specialist
UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Background
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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.
Since 2022, UNDP, in partnership with the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville House of Representatives, has commissioned a project aiming at strengthening various aspects of both institutions. Recognizing the critical importance of both institutions to democratic governance, the Parliamentary Strengthening Project – Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, (herein the ‘Project’) works with both legislatures to:
- Support Members of the legislature to more effectively use their parliamentary powers to engage in debate and oversight of national development activities, concerning critical topics such as improving public financial management, gender equality, reducing poverty through inclusive economic development, and building disaster and climate resilience, in particular through the use of Parliamentary Committees.
- Strengthen the capacities of Parliamentary Committees in both legislatures to undertake effective oversight of key government sectors, through transparent processes aimed at including the perspectives of communities, particularly women, in their deliberations.
- Strengthen the capacities of key parts of the Parliamentary Service to assist their Members to discharge their mandates, in particular: (i) committee secretariat staff who assist committees to do their work (ii) research and library staff who can support MPs to take effective action on key issues by keeping them well-informed; (iii) public communications and outreach staff who can work with MPs and within the Secretariat to more effectively engage the public in the work of the National Parliament; and (iv) parliamentary ICT infrastructure.
UNDP is now seeking to engage a National Parliament Specialist to work with a small team to deliver a range of activities in support of these outcome areas. The National Parliament Specialist will be based in Port Moresby with regular travel to Buka and other sub-national locations in Papua New Guinea.
Duties and Responsibilities
The National Parliament Specialist will report to the Project Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and designate Project Manager. The National Parliament Specialist will be based in the UNDP Country Office in Papua New Guinea for 2 days and/or in the project office in the Parliament of Papua New Guinea for 3 days per week. The Country Office will provide necessary administrative and other assistance to the National Parliament Specialist.
The National Parliament Specialist will be required to provide the following services to support to the CTA/ Project Manager to implement activities with the National Parliament.
- Advise and support on parliamentary core functions of law-making, oversight, and representation.
- Advise and support on parliamentary institutional frameworks, secretariats, and staff.
- Guide on Parliament’s role in the implementation and monitoring of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Implement Gender mainstreaming and women’s political participation and leadership in parliamentary work.
- Advise on Parliamentary openness, transparency, inclusiveness, and citizen engagement.
- Contribute to the implementation of sustainable capacity development approaches, including mentoring, accompaniment, staff development exchanges, and South-South exchanges.
- Support parliamentary corporate planning and related Secretariat development activities.
- Facilitate the national, regional, and international transfer of know-how and experiences in the area of parliamentary development.
- Provide direct policy advice and briefings on parliamentary-related issues.
- Guide and support drafting the development of key knowledge products.
- Harness ICTs and other innovative approaches and tools to facilitate parliamentary accountability and transparency and public engagement.
- Inform parliamentary stakeholders on selected topics in areas covered by the project as required.
- Participate in project-level coordination meetings and/or technical working groups as per project document and AWP.
- Guide and support organization of Project Board Meetings and support timely preparation of background materials, and minutes as per UNDP SOPs.
- Ensure that UNDP’s corporate interest and rules are always guarded, and that appropriate action is immediately taken to address problems and challenges.
- Ensure capturing and dissemination of lessons learnt during project implementation.
- Any other tasks and/or responsibilities as required for the implementation of the project and requested by UNDP management.
- The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Competencies
Core competencies:
- 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
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
2030 Agenda: Peace
- Governance: Parliamentary Institutions
Business Direction and Strategy
- System Thinking : Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Management
- Results-based management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results
- Partnership Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
- Resource Management: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity
- Change Management: Ability to prepare, support, and help individuals and teams in designing and implementing organizational change
- Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Masters’ Degree or equivalent) in Law, Public Policy, Politics, Development Studies or related area is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above areas, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years (with a masters’ Degree) or 7 years with (with bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience working on democratic governance, political institutions, and institutional capacity building is required.
- Solid experience and technical knowledge in the field of democratic governance in particular parliamentary development.
- Experience and in-depth technical knowledge of parliament functions and processes.
- Good computer literacy – MS Office applications, web-based management information systems.
- Demonstrated experience in capacity-building and facilitation is an asset.
- Experience in parliamentary development in PNG National Parliament is an asset.
Required Languages:
- Fluency in English and Tok-Pisin (local Language) is required.
Disclaimer
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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