Job Profile. Head of Programme (N1) Governance Facility. Nepal

Transcription

1 Job Profile Head of Programme (N1) Governance Facility Nepal Reference number: DK /NEP.01-W 1. Preliminary 1.1. Short background: The Embassy of Denmark/Danida, the Embassy of Switzerland/SDC and UK s Department for International Development (DFID) in Nepal have developed a joint Governance Facility (GF) to manage a coherent, harmonised and coordinated multi-donor support programme aimed at enhancing governance efforts in Nepal. The GF administers four inter-related programme components over the five-year funding period ( ). These are: 1. Peacebuilding and Democratic Development 2. Access to Justice 3. Human Rights Promotion and Protection 4. Voice and Accountability. The Governance Facility has a unique opportunity to design flexible and adaptive programmes to help achieve rule of law and long-term stability in Nepal, fostering and protecting human rights and promoting good governance, which creates the condition for equitable growth and poverty reduction. As an arm s length organisation, under the umbrella of three bilateral development partners, the GF has the scope to innovate, test and learn about what does/does not work in the Nepali context and then use this to inform new areas of work in an iterative process Purpose of memo: This memo describes the main tasks involved in the position and the qualifications requested from candidates to the job Expected composition of the selection committee: Applicants for the position will be selected for interview by The Embassy of Denmark following consultation with The Embassy of Switzerland (SDC) and UK s Department for International Development (DFID), who will also be represented at the job interview. Mercuri Urval will participate in the process of appointment by conducting personality tests and test interviews with the selected candidates, as well as taking part in the final interview. The final interview panel consists of the sector coordinator from the Danish Embassy, representatives from SDC and DFID, and the consultant from Mercuri Urval A/S in charge of the recruitment process. 2. The Governance Facility 2.1. The Governance Facility in short: The Embassy of Denmark, the Embassy of Switzerland/Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the UK s Department for International Development (DFID) in Nepal have 1

2 developed a joint donor facility to manage coherent, harmonized and coordinated funding support aimed at enhancing democratic governance, peacebuilding and justice efforts in Nepal. The three missions support this Governance Facility (GF) in line with the Aid Effectiveness Agenda (Paris Declaration, Accra Agenda for Action and Busan Partnership), especially regarding harmonisation and alignment. Launched officially in December 2014, this arrangement is embedded in a bilateral agreement signed in December 2013 between the Government of Nepal and the Embassy of Denmark. The programme runs for the period and has a budget of 30 million USD. The Governance Facility brings together financial and technical assistance from three donors for enhancing governance and is in line with the government s desire to have bigger programmes against scattered one-off interventions as articulated in the Development Cooperation Policy. It also addresses the need for increased donor coordination in supporting governance improvements for attaining the intended results at lower transaction costs. The Board of the Governance Facility provides oversight and strategic direction. It is composed of the Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC), the delegates of the Heads of Mission (HoMs) (or their alternates) of the participating Development Partners, the President of the NGO Federation, and a person retired from a state/government body and/or from an academic institution. The Vice-Chair of the NPC chairs the Board and one of the Heads of Mission serves as Vice-Chair. Decisions of the GF Board are made on the basis of consensus. The GF Board convenes every six months or as collectively decided on. A GF-Steering Committee (GF-SC) provides a more regular oversight of the operational aspects of the programme, including the work of the GF-Secretariat. The GF-SC is composed of all contributors to the programme. The chairmanship is rotating and runs for two years. The GF-SC meets quarterly or as required. Decisions are made on the basis of consensus and the GF-Secretariat Head of Programme acts as Secretary to the GF-SC. This Facility and the programme is flexible enough to respond to a fluid political and governance context in Nepal during the five-year programme period. The GF manages support to Nepali partner organisations the state/government institutions, the civil society organisations and the private sector organisations pursuing the related objectives of the components. The programme s objectives are: To achieve rule of law and legitimate institutions in Nepal, fostering and protecting human rights and promoting democratic governance, which creates the conditions for equitable growth and poverty reduction. The four inter-related programme components are: 1. Peacebuilding and Democratic Development 2. Access to Justice 3. Human Rights Promotion and Protection 4. Voice and Accountability. Component 1, Peacebuilding and Democratic Development Component has the following outcome: People participate better in democratic processes and institutional capacities are built to sustain peace. 2

3 The component includes five inter-linked and mutually supportive outputs: Nepal's people, particularly the traditionally excluded, are assisted to improve their understanding of, and exercise, their roles, rights and responsibilities in constitutionmaking and wider democratic processes; Selected state institutions are supported so that they become more equitable and responsive to the rights of traditionally excluded people; Traditionally excluded people are supported to access selected state institutions; Improved processes to claim, access and deliver transitional justice are established and operating; Communities are better able to prevent violence in their local areas over political or resource-based disputes. Component 2, Access to Justice Component, has the following outcome: Poor people, especially women, girls and traditionally marginalised people are better protected from criminal violence and have improved access to justice. The component includes three inter-linked and mutually supportive outputs: Citizens have increased awareness of their right to access to justice and know how to do so; An improved police public relationship is facilitated in communities; People with disputes in communities benefit from community mediation in accordance with the law. Component 3, Human Rights Promotion and Protection Component, has the following outcome: Relevant national, state and non-state stakeholders, promote and protect human rights as per international standards and Nepal's own national and international commitments. The component includes three inter-linked and mutually supportive outputs: The capacity of state/government institutions to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights is strengthened; Human Rights NGOs are supported to protect and promote human rights (this is being done effectively, collaboratively and in politically neutral and inclusive ways in terms of religion, ethnicity, gender, region); Selected institutions promote and implement the HRBA. Component 4, Voice and Accountability Component, has the following outcome: People engage in and benefit from improved accountability mechanisms. The component includes three inter-linked and mutually supportive outputs: People are enabled to use accountability mechanisms and follow up on them; Relevant authorities are enabled to handle grievances in an improved manner; Government entities are enabled to apply strengthened anti-corruption measures Requirements and expectations from the relevant parties: The Board of the Governance Facility provides oversight and strategic direction for the GF. A Steering Committee comprised of the three development partners to the Governance Facility is the formal decision-making body of the Governance Facility. A Technical Working Group with technical staff from the three development partners provides technical advice to the GF Secretariat on a regular basis. The GF Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Governance Facility. It is the operational and technical hub and is mandated to proactively lead in the design of new programme areas for consideration and approval by the Technical Working Group and the Steering Committee. For effective implementation and management of GF, the Management Team of the GF Secretariat is made up of the GF Head of Programme and the Deputy Head of Programme. 3

4 The HoP serves as the Secretary to the GF Steering Committee and reports to the Chair of the GF Steering Committee, while the Deputy HoP and advisers report to the GF Head of Programme. While the HoP has the overall responsibility, the programme implementation functions are directly managed by the DHoP, and the grant, technical support, finance management, M&E, knowledge management, communication and human resources and administrative functions are managed by the HoP. 3. The Position 3.1. Title: Head of Programme (N1) Place of service: Kathmandu, Nepal Terms of Employment according to Danida staff rules. Below non-exhaustive brief benefits: Contract period: 1 August December Attractive remuneration package reflecting family status. Contribution to a pension scheme, health insurance and reimbursement of school fees. Free housing. Bonus at the end of the contract after minimum 2 years of service Area of responsibility/tasks: The Head of Programme (HoP) is the Chief Executive Officer, i.e. responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the Governance Facility (GF) in Nepal. S/he is based in the GF office in Kathmandu. S/he will be managing a large number of grants (approximately 25-30) provided to the Government of Nepal and consortiums of civil society organisations throughout the country across the four components of the programme. This is a high-profile leadership position with the scope to build on strong foundations and a clear vision for the GF based on the following principles: In-depth contextual and political economy analysis to inform programme decisions; Latest use of evidence on what works in supporting governance reform in difficult contexts; Building partnerships with and enhancing the capacity of national institutions and organisations on both supply and demand sides of governance; Testing, learning and adapting programmes; Conflict sensitivity and coherence ensuring all programmes do no harm and help address long-standing grievances and exclusion in Nepal; A culture of learning, openness and honesty within the Secretariat and between the Secretariat and the funding partners; A commitment to empowering staff, building confidence and capability; The HoP will also be responsible for ensuring adequate advisory and consultancy support are provided to the programme management and M&E team in the delivery of their responsibilities. This is a senior leadership position. The HoP will be responsible for 20 staff members and an annual budget of approximately 6 million USD. Key responsibilities will include: Robust programme management, including financial management, results based monitoring and capacity building; Provide leadership and strategic direction to the Governance Facility with high level of management quality and be responsible for the management, oversight and accountability to the donor funds; 4

5 Ensure the Secretariat operates within a clear and consistent operational framework, which is understood and applied across the programme; Overall programme implementation at operational level of the GF and managing of a large number of civil society organisations and Government of Nepal institutions funded by GF; Balance a rigorous oversight of partners and their programmes, and in this regard ensure effective coordination and management of the programme according to the agreed programme document and strategy, and the operational procedures of GF; Oversight of work plans, monitoring and reporting against the M&E framework; Ensure financial parameters are clearly established, monitored and communicated; Ensure a strong assurance framework and controls are in place and active risk management (including fiduciary risks of implementing partners); Explore new programme areas through a problem-based and iterative approach; Ensure coordination and coherence within and between the GF s different programme areas so the sum is greater than the parts; Ensure Secretariat staff feel confident that they have the tools and support to do their job, including to do difficult things in high-risk areas; Support an environment where learning and experimentation is encouraged within the Secretariat; Create the space for challenge, helping people believe that they can speak up and will be heard and that individuals can change things. 4. Demand Profile/Qualifications 4.1 Requirements and expectations concerning the candidates formal qualifications: Solid experience gained in developing countries designing, leading and managing governance programmes; Demonstrated knowledge of the latest evidence on governance reform (what works, what doesn t and why), and practical examples of design and oversight of programmes employing the latest thinking on governance in difficult places; An advanced degree in a relevant subject (e.g. political science, public administration, law, human rights or other relevant subject); High-level management experience including managing large teams and being responsible for oversight/management/accountability for donor funds; Demonstrated experience of project cycle management, financial management and the administration of development programmes and projects; Solid work experience with both government entities and civil society organisations; Demonstrated ability to interact at political, policy and technical levels; Fluency in English and strong writing skills; Good knowledge of current political developments in Nepal is desirable. 4.2 Requirements and expectations concerning the personal qualifications of the candidates: Sound leadership skills and representational capabilities as well as demonstrated competencies in team management; Demonstrated ability to set direction, lead and manage large teams and work with funding partners; Strong cooperation skills and openness; Commitment to self-reflection and continuous improvement; Ability to work fast and under pressure; Communication skills and ability to collaborate in an environment representing different cultures, institutions, and disciplines; 5

6 Ability to create a culture of team-work, openness and collaboration and willingness to delegate, trust, motivate and empower staff; Strong conceptual and analytical skills; Excellent communication and facilitation skills. 5. Recruitment Procedures 5.1 How do you apply: Information about the mandatory application procedure can be found at: Reference number DK /NEP.01-W should be stated in the application. 5.2 Deadline for applications: 3 May 2016 at 12 noon (CEST) 5.3 Preliminary interviews and personal evaluation: 7-8 June Mercuri Urval will conduct a personal evaluation of selected candidates. 5.4 Language test: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided that all candidates called in for interview - except for those to whom the relevant language is mother tongue - shall be language tested in Denmark in the working languages of the duty station (i.e. English). 5.5 Presentation to the appointments committee: 9 June Decision: A decision is expected within the week of the final presentation. 5.7 Expected commencement: 1 August 2016 or as soon as possible hereafter. 6