International United Nations Volunteers
Monitoring and Managing Specialist, Support to an Effective Lao National Assembly Programme (SELNA)
Duty Station: Vientiane, Lao PDR
Duration of Appointment: 2 years
Expected Starting Date: Early 2009
Background
SELNA is a UN joint programme of support to the Lao PDR National Assembly, due to start in 2009. It builds on over 10 years of UN support to the National Assembly. The programme seeks to strengthen the capacities of the Office of the National Assembly and its staff to further improve the quality of services provided to parliamentarians and their constituents, as well as building the capacities of MPs to exercise the oversight function and to influence policy making in order to enable this institution to fully contribute to a truly participatory and representative democracy.
Duties & Responsibilities
The role of the Monitoring and Management Specialist is, reporting to the Programme Management Director, and working with Lao and International SELNA team members and the UN Programme Assurance Group to:
- Strengthen the management and administrative capacity of programme staff and NA programme focal-points through provision of advice and identifying training opportunities.
- Exercise quality control over the development of a portfolio of project ideas and concepts, and closely monitor the programme implementation progress and results.
- Keep abreast of the developments in the governance sector in Laos, in close collaboration with the Senior Technical Adviser and Management Team.
- Develop and uphold effective financial, administrative and managerial procedures in accordance with guidelines agreed between the UN and the Government of Lao PDR relating to Nationally Executed Projects.
- Establish and maintain robust systems to monitor programme delivery (the implementation of activities and disbursement of funds) and programme results (progress towards outcomes).
3. Qualifications and Experience Required
- Masters degree in political science, law or public administration, management or related fields.
- Experience working in capacity building projects/programmes with an international organization.
- Strong knowledge of UN and UNDP reporting and management practice
- Excellent organizational capacities
- Experience in governance development projects/programmes a strong asset
- Experience in parliamentary practice and administration, particularly in the areas of institutional management, the functioning of parliamentary committees and the legislative process a strong asset
- Experience working in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
- Experience in South East Asia and/or a LDC governed under a one-party system an advantage. Fluency in English. Knowledge of Lao would be an asset.
- Sound project/programme management skills, including project/programme cycle management, and financial and contractual management procedures.
- Strong analytical skills and proven ability to work independently.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
For a full Terms of Reference, please visit the UNDP Lao PDR website at http://www.undplao.org/
Please send detailed CV together with a letter of interest clearly marked UNV Programme Officer to: unv.lao @ undp.org.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
