UNDP Vacancy Announcement for IT and e-Governance Analyst

Job Identification: 20131
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Apply Before: 09/03/2024, 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
Desired Languages: Knowledge of any national language will be an asset
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.

The position holder will act as a main point of contact for PLGSP related systems, tools and practices that are based on the IT and software. The incumbent will be equally responsible for the development and management of data for evidence-based planning and reporting. The incumbent working in close collaboration with MoFAGA IT team, provincial IT team and LG IT team, will support in designing and roll out of the systems identified by them.

Duties and Responsibilities

Guide and support the implementation of e-Governance, data management and information and communication technology (lCT):

• Guide and support the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA) on strategic and policy issues to strengthen the e-Governance systems at all levels of government, including related to accessibility and increased connectivity.
• Provide strategic support and guidance to all provincial units of ICT and e-Governance.
• Facilitate the planning of the PLGSP activities related to e-Governance & ICT and provide inputs on the preparation of the Annual Strategic Implementation Plan and Budget (ASIPB) and trimester workplans of the Programme including for Provincial Programme Support Unit (PPSUs) and Provincial Research and Training Academy (PRTAs).
• Support in development and harmonization of the ICT based management tools, systems and guidelines at the province and local levels in coordination with transformational TA.
• Provide ICT Helpdesk services to ensure efficient and timely support to users including changing of hardware electronic components (disks, memories, network wiring, power sources, etc.) and routine repairs.
• Facilitate sensitizations of programme staff and external stakeholders on concepts, issues, challenges and opportunities related to ICT, e-Governance and data management.

Ensure Coordination & Knowledge management:

• Serve as a focal point for data management at all levels of the government in collaboration with IT Analysts.
• Support to develop a system of cross learning between and among three tiers of the government on e-Governance and ICT in coordination with Knowledge
• Management Analyst for knowledge products.
• Work in close collaboration with other entities including the e-Governance Commission, on ICT and e-Governance work.
• Guide and support authorities to develop training modules and packages on IT and e-Governance systems at an appropriate standard.
• Guide in proposing automatization solutions for the operations business activities.
• Support MoFAGA, Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) to advance their existing IT and e-governance systems, including for Inter-
• Governmental Relationship (IGR) issues.
• Strengthen e-learning and sharing systems in governance with/among the stakeholders.

Ensure oversight and quality assurance on ICT and e-governance work:

• Provide oversights and monitor the Innovative Partnerships Fund (IPF) work related to IT and e-Governance.
• Review the work plan and develop a result tracker on e-Governance and ICT work to be undertaken at federal level.
• Contribute to the analysis of information and take stock of actions on issues related to e-Governance and ICT based on findings and recommendations of the revised Federalism Capacity Needs Assessment (FCNA) and the Local Institutional Self-Assessment tool (LISA) and provide necessary inputs to annual work plans based on the current context.
• Introduce online information management system and online repository of all work done through all the PLGSP units across the provinces.
• Ensure implementation of corporate ICT security requirements.

Facilitate in producing periodic reports:

• Facilitate in developing system and tools for consolidated data and online information for periodic reporting of the programme.
• Review reports received from PPSUs relating to ICT and e-Governance, and help Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Analyst to compile those into the consolidated progress reports as appropriate.
• Research and retrieval of data from internal and external sources, prepare statistical charts, tables and reports as required.
• Avail ICT and e-Governance related information to the transformational TA team based in PCU as required.
• Ensure mainstreaming of GESI throughout IT & e-Governance programme interventions:
• Provide inputs related to IT and e-Governance to GESI Specialist for the development of GESI tools and support their implementation at federal level.
• Ensure that accessibility for women and excluded/marginalized groups is a key factor in the development and roll-out of ICT and e-Governance systems at all levels, with particular attention to digital accessibility for persons with disability.
• Support to develop and facilitate capacity development sessions for Government agencies and other stakeholders on the importance of GESI-responsive ICT and e-Governance systems.
• Support dissemination of information, learnings and good practices to promote GESI mainstreaming, and GESI-responsive capacity development initiatives related to e-Governance and ICT.

Other:

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

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 Management

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstratable results.
• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillful grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Business Direction & 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.

Information Management & Technology

• Information & Technology Strategy: Portfolio management and governance Knowledge of developing and implementing ICT strategy, portfolio and project management services, governance, and policies. Knowledge of project management principle.

Administration & Operations

• Applications Management: Ability to set-up, develop, support, and maintain applications. Expertise in Oracle Cloud, ServiceNow, SalesForce.com and Microsoft technology and assets.

2030 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender Mainstreaming.2030 Agenda: Governance
• Governance: Participation and Inclusion.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in e-governance, Information and Communication Technology, Computer Science, or any other related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) 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 the area related to information and communication technology and e-governance with introduction of innovative strategies and tools in public service delivery is required.
• Experience in working with IT/e-Governance systems development including inter-governmental relations is required.
• Experienced in delivering training and other needed capacity on IT and e-Governance is required.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering high-quality reports and knowledge products is required.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point etc.) and web-based management and analytical tools is required.
• Experience and sound understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their implications on local governance would be an advantage.
• Experience and good Knowledge of designing monitoring and evaluation tools is an asset.
• Experience of designing, maintaining and upgrading database system is desired.
• Experience in supporting the monitoring of functionalities of digital solutions is desired.
• Experience working with user-centered designs and conducting user research and testing is desired.
• Demonstrated and substantive experience in developing web-based applications, including databases, and mobile apps is a distinct asset.

Required Languages:

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

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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