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Technical Analyst – Parliament

Colombo

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Colombo
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Democratic Governance
    • Public Policy and Administration
  • Closing Date: 2024-02-05
Background
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 
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.

UNDP has been supporting the Parliament of Sri Lanka for more than a decade. Building on results and partnerships, UNDP proposes to take forward its work to strengthen core functions of the Parliament – lawmaking, oversight, representation and budget approval/implementation - in collaboration with key parliamentary stakeholders including civil society organizations.  This service line of the SDG 16 portfolio contributes to improved ability of the legislature to deliver people-cantered services and enabling the public to effectively engage in parliamentary proceedings and processes. It also has a special focus on mainstreaming gender across all core functions and promoting youth participation in legislative processes. Whilst advancing public participation, representation, and ownership in the development trajectory through robust civic engagement & social dialogue, ensuring the "leave-no-one-behind” agenda is incorporated, including language and disability mainstreaming is also a key priority. 

The key outputs expected from this area of work are as follows:

  • Parliamentary development initiatives identified through consultative processes and Action Plans designed and implemented in coordination with the relevant stakeholders. 
  • Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms established by the Parliament of Sri Lanka for parliamentary development initiatives coordinated and assisted. 
  • Policy dialogue, policy adoption and implementation increased on parliamentary development initiatives.
  • The Parliament of Sri Lanka, state and non-state actors have increased access to progressive international principles, standards and good practices on parliamentary processes. 
  • Technical needs met for parliamentary development, with an emphasis on public outreach and responsiveness to excluded and vulnerable groups including women, youth and Persons with Disabilities.

Against this backdrop, UNDP aims to recruit a Technical Analyst to provide  technical advisory support towards the implementation of projects supporting the Parliament of Sri Lanka, while also providing technical input as and when required to the overall UNDP SDG16 portfolio. The role is also expected to liaise with all the development partners supporting parliamentary development initiatives. 

The Technical Analyst will work as part of a dynamic team, that will not only focus on the above-mentioned portfolio, but also support UNDP Sri Lanka’s overall Country Programme and in particular the SDG16 Portfolio. The Technical Analyst will be responsible for the provision of level technical advice and the coordination of support provided to the Parliament, its staff, MPs and committees, for the design of innovative interventions to achieve development results, provide technical advisory support, ensure quality documentation of data/knowledge generated, support to form creative partnerships, including joint programming and resource mobilization efforts and work in overall coordination with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Reporting to the Senior Technical Specialist for Pillar 1 and 4, and under the overall guidance of the Policy Specialist & Team Leader – Inclusive Governance and the Portfolio Coordinator - SDG 16. The Technical Analyst will also liaise with other teams in UNDP and work closely with the Economist, Gender Adviser and the UN Reconciliation and Development Adviser.
 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide advisory support, facilitate knowledge sharing and outreach:

  • Provide quality technical advisory support to the design of activities and dedicated technical advisory support to the key partner institutions (i.e. Parliament of Sri Lanka, government, civil society, UN agencies and, where relevant, private sector etc). 
  • Liaise with, and source technical support and policy advice from the UNDP HQ and Regional Hub, to further enhance the quality of the technical advisory support provided to partners.
  • Ensure synergies with/between UNDP portfolio/projects other areas of programming, to ensure strengthening the achievement of integrated results through the SDG16 Portfolio.
  • Analyze the country and world context, assess impact upon the thematic area of focus, and identify any issues that requires the attention of UN/UNDP leadership, and prepare succinct reports.
  • Provide regular briefing to UNDP senior management on developments by the parliament.
  • Participate in relevant events and networks related to the specific scope of work.

Provide support for implementation and delivery of quality results:

  • Support the Parliament of Sri Lanka in implementing its Parliamentary Development Action Plan (PDAP), including the provision of technical assistance, coordinating development partner support, supporting the PDAP Advisory Board, etc.
  • Provide technical support for the implementation of the activities, enabling high quality delivery of outputs and results as per the portfolio/project documents and/or Project Board decisions. 
  • Preparation of annual work plans and ensuring complementarity with other thematic areas of programming.
  • Provide input to high quality reporting, in a timely manner. Based on the M&E frameworks help develop and refine indicators, baselines and targets for the effective implementation of the project.
  • Provide technical advisory support to analyze results and lessons learned and recommend strategies for future.

Advocacy, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, which entails inter alia:

  • Strengthen existing partnerships, while developing new partnerships, including with UN Agencies, the Parliament of Sri Lanka, government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector, etc., with a view to achieving development results
  • Strengthen partnerships between the Parliament of Sri Lanka, government entities and civil society organizations.
  • Strengthen partnership and collaboration with other UN agencies. 
  • Analyze and research related areas and prepare substantive briefs.

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 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:

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: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide network of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management  

  • Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results
  • Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
  • 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

2030 People Agenda     

  • Gender: Gender Mainstreaming 

2030 Agenda: Peace     

  • Governance: Inclusion and Participation 
     
Required Skills and Experience:
 
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in development studies, social sciences, political science, law, economics, public administration, or other relevant areas is required.
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Law, Development Studies, Political Science, or other relevant field in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.
Experience:
  • Minimum 2 years of working experience (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) in related areas such as development, public administration, Law, Political Science, or other relevant field.
  • Experience in development, governance, public administration, civil society or related sector.
  • Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section.
  • Experience working with institutions such as the Parliament would be an asset. 
  • Experience working with CSOs or public consultation processes will be an asset.
  • Experience in analysis of the political, social, and economic developments an asset.
  • Experience with UNDP/UN system or other development actor would be an advantage.

Required Languages:

  • English, Sinhala and Tamil
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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