Background

The Democratization and Human Rights Programme in is a nation-scale 4-year initiative which runs from 1st January 2013 until 31st December 2016.

The overall aim for DHRP is a strengthened civil society with actors able to promote human rights, advance democracy (including through digital means) and ensure legal aid. DHRP also lends support to civil society initiatives which aim at advancing democratic / human rights reform and improvement of relevant systems’ efficacy.

DHRP follows a human rights-based approach to programming under which policies, processes and planned activities will be anchored in a system of rights and corresponding obligations established by international law. The initiative shall also ensure gender mainstreaming in all its components, providing opportunities for equal participation of men and women in capacity building, advocacy and grant activities.

DHRP is to be implemented through three main components:

1. Strengthening CSOs as guardians of democracy and good governance;
2. Supporting human rights actors to promote and defend human rights in Ukraine;
3. Advocacy for wider and results-driven Government-CSO dialogue.

Organizational setting

Under the overall guidance of the DHRP Project Coordinator, Democratic Governance Expert shall be responsible for all aspects of democratic governance operations, undertaken by the Project, including definition of priority areas of intervention, liaison with government and non-governmental partners, ensuring foundation for furtherUNDP Ukraine interventions in the area of democratization and management of national and international expertise commissioned by the Programme to further its goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor and report on the developments in trends with democratization, and activities by key stakeholders, including state and non-state actors;
• Oversee Project’s initiatives in the democratization realm, including smaller and medium-sized grantees, by ensuring quality of partners’ outputs, timeliness of reporting and integrity of financial operations;
• Contribute to the national policy agenda on CSOs enabling legislative environment, civil society development and state-CSOs dialogue;
• Produce (regularly and upon demand) briefs, analytical notes, statistical data for the area of democratization, both for Ukraine, the ECIS region and globally; contribute to constructing the frameworks for further UNDP interventions in the area of democratization (including inputs into DG cluster project pitches to donors and partners);
• Ensure involvement of high-quality expertise into the initiatives of the Project, as necessary, and conduct quality control of research performed and products delivered;
• Provide regular inputs into regular reports of the Project to the donor.
• Represent the Project at public events (including activities organized for/by grantees and partners);
• Contribute to new projects’ development;
• Contribute to Project external communication by producing drafts for press releases and info-notes, draft news write-ups, thematic blogs and social media posts, etc.;
• Liaise with Project partners (governmental/non-governmental institutions, CSOs, academia, wider UNDP family) and facilitate communication on programme-related activities including organizing joint thematic learning and networking events on issues of democratization;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

• Project-supported initiatives are completed on time and with due observation of programmatic and financial standards;
• Monthly/quarterly/annual/ad hoc debriefs are prepared;
• Donors/partners visits are initiated and facilitated;
• Concept notes, advisory notes, memos, meeting debriefs, topical  briefs, and activity plans produced;
• All assignments performed in a quality and timely manner.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

• Number and quality of Project-supported initiatives, including within the granting modality;
• Number and quality of briefs, analytical notes, statistical datasets for the area of democratization, as well as inputs into the wider democratization activity supported by DMFA through UNDP;
• Positive feedback from Project partners on quality, timeliness and integrity of work performed with involvement of the incumbent.

Competencies

• Excellent analytical, writing, communication and organization skills;
• Excellent computer skills (including use of internet research, databases and academic / professional materials);
• Exceptional knowledge of modern information technologies including web-based systems and social media;
• Good interpersonal skills, diligence, openness and flexibility;
• Excellent team and networking skills.

Required Skills and Experience

• Masters degree or equivalent in social sciences (including public policy / administration), management or other related field;
• 5 years of working experience, including at least 3 years of experience in issues of democratic governance or other related area;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the good governance landscape of Ukraine, including, specifically themes of participatory decision-making, transparency, integrity, and empowerment of governance through new information technologies;
• Professional fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the “Apply now” button.
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in or paste your Resume into the last box.
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit “submit application” tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11). When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors.
• Without the completed and signed P11 your application will not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at link . Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are available when contacted.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 28 NOVEMBER 2015

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.