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.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) are collaborating on a Good Governance (anti-corruption) action in Namibia to support the country’s efforts in combating corruption, strengthening public financial management, and promoting governance for improved and enabling environment and infrastructure development.
The contribution agreement is drawn from the EU Multi-Annual Indicative Programme 2021 – 2027, Priority Area 3: Good Governance and Gender Equality. UNDP recognizes the critical role of good governance in promoting participatory and representative democracy and its importance as a cross-cutting issue for all sectors of development and strengthening key institutions, such as Parliament, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and other relevant public institutions. The action intends to enhance governance performance, improve the enabling environment for civil society, and promote better service delivery.
Namibia is considered a role model for governance, rule of law, and press freedom. However, despite its high-ranking in-governance indicators in Africa, there are warning signals and worrisome developments in governance, particularly in areas such as participation, rights, and inclusion; security and the rule of law; inclusion and equality; accountability and transparency; gender; and public administration. The perception of corruption in Namibia is increasing, and trust in Namibian institutions is decreasing.
To address these challenges, there is a need for continued and enhanced engagement and capacity building with key institutions, in complementarity with ongoing EU-funded programs such as “Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia”, the “Technical assistance to enhance the Performance Management System (PMS) of the public sector,” and other EU Member States’ initiatives.
Civil society and local authorities play a vital role in policy dialogue and implementation in all sectors under this priority. UNDP remains committed to supporting Namibia’s efforts to strengthen governance, promote transparency, and enhance service delivery for all citizens, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
The Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Specialist will be responsible for overseeing the anti-corruption project, providing strategic direction, and ensuring the project’s successful implementation in line with the UN and EU’s objectives. The Specialist will oversee the project’s day-to-day operations, manage the project team, and ensure that the project is implemented on time, within budget, and in line with the project’s objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
Within assigned authority and under substantive guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative, the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Specialist will primarily be responsible for guiding the implementation of the EU/UNDP corporation agreement action on Good Governance. The Specialist will provide anti-corruption technical assistance activities of the project, advise the Anti-Corruption Commission in Namibia, in the design/review/implementation of anti-corruption legislation, policies, and specific initiatives as well as suggestions and development of a broader set of interventions in support of anti-corruption frameworks (including policy advice, technical expertise and practical day-to-day support to country anti-corruption bodies). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
- Technical Leadership: Provide substantive expertise in the areas of anti-corruption, public financial management, and economic governance, ensuring that the project’s interventions are evidence-based, sustainable, and responsive to Namibia’s needs. Provide advice and assistance, where necessary and required, to enhance and upgrade relevant legislative and other measures in conformity with UNCAC. Support the strengthening and capacity-building of the national anti-corruption institutions, including the development of /their mandates, structures, and operations, providing them with advisory services and technical expertise. Provide expert advice and support to the national counterparts to develop the technical assistance programme and proposals in the area of anti-corruption, good governance, etc. in line with their mandates.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Guide and assist in designing, developing and/or upgrading national anti-corruption strategies and state programs, anti-corruption campaigns, accountability policies and mechanisms, and monitoring government performance, including by involving, as appropriate, the media, the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs). Comments and recommendations are provided on the national anti-corruption strategies and state programs, anti-corruption campaigns, accountability policies, and government performance monitoring mechanisms.
- Engage with relevant stakeholders, including the Namibian government, UN agencies, civil society organizations, private sector, and development partners, to ensure their active participation and support for the project. Foster contacts and, where appropriate, co-operation and partnerships with bodies and institutions at national, regional and global levels tasked with the prevention of and fight against corruption.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation system in consultation with the country office M&E unit to track the project’s progress, assess its impact, and ensure that lessons learned are documented and shared.
- Reporting: Prepare regular progress reports, donor reports, and other required documentation, ensuring that they are of high quality and submitted in a timely manner. Contribute to programme development and resource mobilization by establishing and maintaining close contacts with donors, partners, experts’ communities, etc.
- Perform other work-related duties as required.
Institutional Arrangement
The Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Specialist will work under the strategic guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative and direct supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, in close collaboration with the GRICE portfolio, EU/UNDP project team, as well as other units within the UNDP Country Office. UNDP country office will provide office space and internet facility, logistical and other support service applicable to UNDP international personnel when based in Namibia. The expert however is expected to bring his/her laptop and mobile phone and meet local communications costs. Costs to arrange meetings, workshops, travel costs, and DSA during field visits (if any), etc, shall be covered by UNDP GRICE portfolio through the project and included in the contract.
Competencies
CORE
- 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
Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
Business Direction & 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 Development: Knowledge Facilitation
- Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
Business Management: Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management: Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels
Partnership management: Relationship Management
- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminal justice, international relations, business management, public administration, political and social sciences, or a related discipline is required. OR
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional work experience in one or several of the following is required: working within or providing technical advisory services to anti-corruption bodies; working as a technical adviser on anti-corruption in an international organization or a non-governmental organization;
- Experience in designing national anti-corruption policies, strategies, and public campaigns, is required;
- Expert knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to corruption, corruption prevention, economic crimes, or related issues;
- Proven knowledge of the normative and operational aspects of preventing and combating corruption, including their international dimensions;
- Demonstrating the ability to lead consultations with senior government officials and facilitate discussions among a wide group of stakeholders is an asset;
- Knowledge and experience with UNDP or UN agencies policies and procedures are desirable;
- Evidence of sound project management, stakeholder engagement, technical leadership, monitoring, and evaluation, and reporting skills;
- Knowledge and previous experience working in the area of corruption prevention in the Africa region is an added advantage;
- Proven ability to advocate and provide policy advice to senior decision-making public officials;
- Proven ability to identify issues, analyze, and contribute to the resolution of problems/issues;
- Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis;
- Substantive knowledge of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given and ability to provide effective specialized advice.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English is required.
Travel
UNDP country office will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station (Windhoek, Namibia), as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station in line with COVID-19 travel restrictions and excludes working from home arrangements.
Disclaimer
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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