Civic Engagement Analyst

Background

The Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding Hub, a joint endeavour of the Crisis Bureau (CB) and the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), integrates work across governance, rule of law and peacebuilding (GRP) to substantially improve UNDP positioning and resource mobilisation, global advocacy; advance principled and effective solutions that support accountable, inclusive and effective governance and prevent and respond crisis , and enable peacebuilding and early recovery from crisis, whilst addressing underlying risks. Its work is organised according to the following thematic areas: governance of public goods and services; rule of law and security; human rights; business, human rights, and peace; democratic institutions and processes; peacebuilding; local action; and open and inclusive public sphere.  The issues of digital transformation, data for SDG16+, and gender equality are cross-cutting. 
 

An important focus area for the GRP Hub is the promotion of an open and inclusive public sphere. Broadly speaking, this work seeks to create the conditions for all citizens, without discrimination to meaningfully participate in public life. Nurturing spaces for civic engagement, enabling access to quality information on matters of public concern, promoting a shared culture of democratic dialogue and removing barriers are key workstreams in this area. Another key workstream focuses on removing barriers preventing the meaningful participation in public life of specific population segments with a strong emphasis on young people’s leadership and participation as well as the inclusion of historically marginalized groups.
 

The Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub is seeking to recruit a Policy Analyst (Civic Engagement) to support the civic engagement component of work under the open and inclusive public sphere portfolio. This work will cover, among others, issues related to the protection and promotion of civic space, the creation of effective mechanisms for citizen participation in policy making, the promotion of constructive multistakeholder dialogue and the establishment of effective mechanisms to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations. The Policy Analyst (Civic Engagement) will carry out a broad range of activities including knowledge management, policy development, and programme support.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work
Key tasks of the Policy Analyst (Civic Engagement) will include:  
•     Develop policy, resources and operational tools to support UNDP programming on civic engagement.
•     Document ongoing UNDP work in the area of civic engagement, including results, lessons learnt and areas for improvement;
•     Work closely with regional and country teams to support the development of programmes on citizen participation;
•     Provide on-demand technical assistance on issues of civic engagement as requested by regional and technical teams;
•     Support partnership building with relevant actors in the area of civic engagement, including civil society organizations;
•     Establishment of effective mechanisms to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations
•     Facilitate knowledge management and knowledge sharing
•     Actively participate in UN interagency mechanisms and other for a with a focus on civic space and citizen participation.

Institutional arrangement

The IPSA will work under the supervision of the Global Lead (Open and Inclusive Public Sphere) and in close collaboration with relevant teams across Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub and beyond.

Competencies

Core Competencies

•   Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

•   Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

•   Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

•   Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

•   Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

•   Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

•   Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 
•  Policy and Programme    2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness    RBM standards and practices for programming
•  Policy and Programme    2030 Agenda: Peace     Protection and promotion of civic space 
•  Policy and Programme    2030 Agenda: Peace     Civic engagement 
•  Policy and Programme    2030 Agenda: Peace     Multistakeholder dialogue facilitation
•  Policy and Programme    2030 Agenda: Peace     Civil society strengthening                                                                                 

•  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 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.

Minimum Qualifications of the IPSA

Education    

•   Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, International Relations, International Development or another related field is required. OR
•  A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
 

Min. years of relevant Work experience     

Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in the area of governance in a context of international development cooperation
 

Required skills and competencies    

•     Experience working on promoting democratic governance in developing country contexts.
•     Experience carrying out research and policy development in the area of governance.
•     Proven track record of sound understanding of issues related to the promotion of meaningful citizen participation in public life.
•     Proven track record of successfully supporting programme development and implementation in developing country contexts
•     Proven track record of successful knowledge documentation and sharing.
•     
Desired additional skills and competencies    

•     Experience working on promoting civic engagement in developing country contexts.
•     Knowledge and understanding of UN/UNDP’s work and/or other multicultural/bilateral actors’ work in relation to governance.  
•    Proven experience in in-depth understanding of international human rights standards as they apply to the regulation of the exercise of the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly 
•     In-depth experience and knowledge of good practice and innovative approaches in promoting citizen participation in policymaking and social accountability 
•     Experience in multistakeholder dialogue facilitation•     
 

Required Language  

•     Fluency in English is required. Fluency in an additional UNDP working language an advantage.
 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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