Inter-Governmental Relationship Analyst

Inter-Governmental Relationship Analyst

Job Identification: 20099
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Apply Before: 08/31/2024, 09:44 AM
Job Schedule: Full time
Agency: UNDP
Grade: NPSA-8
Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area: Governance
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration: 1 Year
Required Languages: English and Nepali
Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks
Mobility required/no mobility: no mobility required

Job Description

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.

Nepal adopted a new Constitution in September 2015, with the intent of transforming the then unitary and centralised system of governance into a federal and decentralised one as a vehicle to ensure equality, equity, and social justice. Nepal’s federal system is characterised by three levels of government (federal, provincial, and local) with non-hierarchical relationships within the levels of government. The Constitution stipulates that the three levels shall be the main structures of the Federal, Democratic and Republican Nepal and all levels shall exercise the power of state of Nepal pursuant to the Constitution and law. The powers of the three levels of government are enshrined in five Schedules of the constitution in the form of exclusive and concurrent powers. The federal system of governance became fully functional in February 2018 after all seven province governments were formed following the general election in November 2017.
With an objective to support on the implementation of federalism in Nepal, the Government of Nepal introduced a flagship programme of Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme (2019-2024). Following an initial period of delivery and agreement by GoN, Provinces, stakeholders, and Development Partners that Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme remained necessary and relevant, a decision was taken to extend Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme, with changes necessary to make the programme more effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs of Provincial Local Governments (PLG).

The Provincial and Local Governance Strengthening Programme (PLGSP) 2024-2029 is the national framework programme of the Government of Nepal (GoN) to build institutional, organizational, and individual capacity at all levels of government, with special focus on the provincial and local levels. It aims to attain functional, sustainable, inclusive, and accountable provincial and local governance. Following an initial period of delivery (2019-2023), and agreed by the GoN, Provinces, Development Partners, and other stakeholders, PLGSP will continue for the next five years, with necessary changes to make the programme more effective, efficient, and responsive to the emerging needs of PLGs in advancing federalism in Nepal.

An extensive stakeholder engagement, consultations and re-programming process was undertaken between July 2023 and June 2024 that resulting in a substantial revision in the PLGSP Programme Document (ProDoc). This reprogrammed ProDoc outlines how re-programmed PLGSP emphasizes building the capacity and capability of PLGs’ to deliver on the institutional and individual capacities for advancing federalism in Nepal over the next 5 years. The ProDoc has focused on three outcomes for Federal, Provincial and LG level impacts, each with three related outputs. Three outcomes include:  Outcome 1: Federal level government institutions and inter-governmental mechanisms are fully functional in support of federal governance as per the Constitution; Outcome 2: Provincial governments have efficient, effective, inclusive, and accountable institutions and organizations; Outcome 3: Local governments have capacity for Good Governance and for delivering inclusive basic services to all people. Furthermore, there are 9 outputs against the outcome mentioned. Four cross-cutting thematic streams: (i) Inclusive federalism acts, regulations, policies, and strategies; (ii) Collaboration within and across federal institutions and governments, and civic engagement; (iii) Supportive systems and tools for PLG inclusive federalism capacity; (iv) capacity development and transformation (applied to all 3 levels) have also been defined and articulated well.   The programme considers the broad principles and approaches including focus on federal devolution, transparency, and accountability, embedding transformative gender and diversity/inclusion agenda, human rights based and participatory approach, devolved, contextual and flexible programme design and implementation and adaptive programming. Further, unpacking structural barriers in political institutions, promoting ownership and trust in provincial and local government system and changing power dynamics in government institutions addressing intersectionality are the expected pathways for Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) transformation in the programme. Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) is the executing agency of the GoN for PLGSP in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Provincial and Local Governments.

UNDP as the partner of PLGSP and Technical Assistance (TA) provider, has been working with the MoFAGA on the implementation of PLGSP since its inception. The TA component of the programme has also been revised accordingly to facilitate the transformation in the behaviours of the authorities towards federalism for inclusive service delivery, it is fully aligned with revised PLGSP incorporating learnings from the earlier TA engagement. The intent of the revised TA is to leverage UNDP’s technical expertise and facilitation role to support positive transformations that enable implementation of federalism in Nepal, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and effective delivery of inclusive services by PLGs to their people especially for the most marginalized and women.

To this effect, TA will support PLGs for their institutional and organizational capacities. The TA support to federal government will help develop and implement necessary laws and policies to strengthen inter-governmental relationships thereby supporting cooperative federalism. To attain the sustainable achievement described above, TA has been categorized into Implementation Support TA (ISTA) and Transformational TA. ISTA focuses more on supporting the governments in the implementation of PLGs thereby building their institutional and individual capacities. Whereas Transformational TA focuses more on supporting behavioural transformation through research and analysis as well as providing high level expertise as needed. Overall, the TA staff (ISTA and Transformational TA) works together in close coordination with each other in overall guidance of respective government and UNDP Country Office

Position Summary:

The position holder has a crucial role in strengthening inter-governmental relationships envisioned by the PLGSP ProDoc. S/he will be working closely with the Office of Prime Minister and Counsil of Ministers (OPMCM), Office of Chief Minister and Council of Ministers (OCMCMs) and MoFAGA to materialize the decisions made by the National Coordination Council (NCC) and Inter Provincial Coordination Council (IPCC) in the guidance of Federal Governance Specialist. S/he will also play a pivotal role in functionalizing the Chief Ministers roundtables to foster the regular dialogues among the federal and provincial governments. Furthermore, s/he will also be focused in assessing and analysing the context and sectoral issues in regard to inter-governmental relation and support in devising the mechanisms that will strengthening the functional relationships between the provincial and local governments as well as among all tiers of the governments.

Under the overall guidance of the National Programme Manager (NPM), National Programme Director (NPD) as well as Governance and Rule of Law Portfolio of UNDP, the IGR Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Federal Governance Specialist (International).

Duties and Responsibilities

The position contributes primarily to outputs 3 & 5 of the programme.

Guide and support on Inter-governmental relations (IGR) for effective functioning implementation of Nepal’s federalism:
Provide overall strategic advice and support on Inter-governmental relations (IGR) to OPMCM at federal level through secretariat of NCC and IPCC, OCMCM at provincial level.
Guide and support NCC and IPCC secretariat to prepare action plan and conduct timely coordination meetings, documentation and implement the decisions through Federal, Annual Strategic Implementation Plan and Budget (F-ASIPB).
Facilitate to conduct a number of policy dialogues on unbundling of the powers given to all three tiers of the governments such as the Chief Minister round tables.
Guide and support the OPMCM in developing and implementing the workplan concerning the government relations. Analyze the draft work plan of PLGSP to ensure that planned activities are aligned with the spirit of the cooperative federalism and federal constitution.
Coordinate with Government counterparts i.e. MoFAGA and OPMCM, as well as PLGs, to integrate key outcomes of analysis into planning and programming.

Provide expertise to strengthen horizontal and vertical relationship between and among the governments:

Map IGR related provisions in terms of laws, policies, strategies and practices at all levels of the government, and analyze capacity gaps to feed into the Annual Strategic Implementation Plan and Budget (ASIPB).
Develop and implement approaches to strengthen institutions established for IGR based on national and global best practices.
Coordinate with all the government agencies and practitioners for implementation of normative frameworks (laws and policies) related to IGR.
Conduct regular assessment and studies on horizontal and vertical relationship/coordination among the governments and develop a masterplan.
Support the establishment and facilitation of more effective mechanisms, platforms, and approaches for horizontal and vertical coordination among diverse institutions, based on best practices.
Coordinate to mobilize Community of Practices (CoP) across the PLGs to replicate the practices and document.

Coordinate and build capacity for strengthening Inter-Governmental relations:

Facilitate OPMCM and OCMCM to enhance their capacities to strengthen intergovernmental relations, in coordination with the Provincial Programme Support Unit (PPSU) and Provincial Research and Training Academy (PRTA) teams.
Identify capacity development gaps/needs of federal, provincial, and local governments related to IGR in close collaboration with other TA teams of the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU), PRTA and PPSU.
Develop approaches and tools to monitor progress at outcome and output levels towards effective IGR, document learnings and advise on required adjustments to PLGSP strategies.
Guide and support to develop orientation and training packages including for civil service training on IGR in close coordination with PRTA.
Facilitate the development of a repository of the laws and policies related to governance and federalization.
Devise necessary framework and tools to address the potential disputes over the powers of three tiers of government in coordination with the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.
Conduct policy dialogues and discourse on the concurrent powers of all three tiers of government and develop timeline to implement it.

Ensure strengthening gender and social inclusion work through IGR in programme interventions:

Ensure gender and inclusion issues are substantially incorporated in IGR related policy notes and briefs wherever possible.
Ensure the GESI related issues are outlined as an important agenda for policy dialogues at different tiers of government.
Provide inputs on research and studies on gender and inclusion and role of all three tiers of the government.
Liaise with the PCU based GESI Analyst, PLGs, OPMCM, OCMCM, DPs, UN agencies, I/NGOs as per the need for effective implementation of the GESI strategy and other guiding tools for the IGR effect.

Other:

Strictly Comply with the policies, strategies, code of conduct, guidelines on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
Strict compliance with the UNDP applicable rules, regulations and policies related to ethics and integrity.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the programme.

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 /Project and Process Management:

Partnerships 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.

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 channel.

Business Direction and Strategy

Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.

Partnership management

• Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.
• Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.

  2030 Agenda: People

Gender: Gender Mainstreaming.
2030 Agenda: Peace

Governance: Inclusion and Participation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, Governance, Public Administration, or any other related fields. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the area mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Up to 2-years (with master´s degree) or minimum of 2 years (with bachelor´s degree) of working experience in IGR, governance and federalism, Government-led programmes is required. Additional experience in the above area will be an added advantage.
• Experience in facilitating coordination and dialogue among different stakeholders to promote inclusive federalism is required.
• Experience in local governance or social/political research is required.
• Experience and good understanding of governance and law related policies of the Government of Nepal is required.
• Familiarity with various federalism-related initiatives at all levels of government through various stakeholders (ministries and local bodies) is required.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point etc.), web-based management and analytical tools is required.
• Experience in working with non-governmental or governmental institution in legal reform, policy analysis or similar area is desired.
• Experience of convening high level policy dialogues is desired.
• Proven experience in conducting research and analysis is desired.
• Demonstrated experience and skills on coordination/collaboration on IGR issues is an asset.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Nepali language is required.
• Knowledge of any national language will be an asset.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

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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