Governance Specialist (open To All Applicants)

Organizational Context

UNDP Botswana collaborates with the government and citizens to achieve shared prosperity, aligning with Vision 2036 and the SDGs. The Country Office implements its Country Programme Document (2022-2026) by providing strategic advisory support and downstream interventions. Working within the UN Country Team, UNDP adopts a "Delivering as One" approach, guided by the UN Cooperation Framework, national development plans, and the 2030 Agenda.

Job Purpose

The Governance Specialist will lead UNDP's efforts in Botswana to strengthen the rule of law, improve access to justice, support human rights implementation, and advance integrity and accountability systems. This role involves providing policy advice on justice sector reform, legal empowerment, anti-corruption, and institutional strengthening, with a focus on vulnerable groups. The Specialist will design and implement governance initiatives, ensuring alignment with national priorities, evidence-based approaches, and UN standards. Key contributions include fostering partnerships with government, civil society, and other stakeholders, mobilizing resources, and producing research to inform national dialogue and reforms, ultimately contributing to a more transparent, responsive, and trusted governance system.

Responsibilities

The Governance Specialist is responsible for ensuring the strategic direction of the UNDP Governance Programme through analysis of the country's governance and political situation, and collaborative document preparation. This includes identifying strategic cooperation areas and operationalizing the programme in collaboration with partners and UN agencies. The role involves managing the CO Governance Programme by applying Results-Based Management (RBM) tools, overseeing planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring, and ensuring effective follow-up to audit recommendations. The Specialist will lead the formulation of governance projects and programmes, providing quality assurance, technical support, and contributing to the adoption of SDGs and RBM methods. Additionally, the role focuses on institutionalizing donor intelligence, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization by scanning the donor environment, developing partnerships, and coordinating with various stakeholders. Finally, the Specialist will provide top-quality advisory services to the government, facilitate knowledge building and management by identifying best practices and developing policies, and contribute to knowledge networks.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible relevant experience (with a Master's degree) or 9 years (with a Bachelor's degree) is required at the national or international level in areas such as Law, Public Sector Reform, Public Administration, or Development Studies. Experience in governance, institutional strengthening, project design, monitoring, evaluation, resource mobilization, and partnership engagement is essential.

Skills

Core Competencies: - Achieve Results (Level 3) - Think Innovatively (Level 3) - Learn Continuously (Level 3) - Adapt with Agility (Level 3) - Act with Determination (Level 3) - Engage and Partner (Level 3) - Enable Diversity and Inclusion (Level 3) Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: - 2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness (Programming, Performance Analysis) - 2030 Agenda: Partnerships (SDG Finance, Governance and Coordination) - Systems Thinking - Project Management - Resource Mobilization - Multi-stakeholder Engagement

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