UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Background
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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.
The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji is supporting Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and democratic strengthening through several election projects operating under an elections portfolio.
The Pacific Elections Assistance Program (PEAP) has been designed to maximise the utility of UNDP’s global elections experience by developing a dedicated office and focal point for UNDP electoral support in the Pacific. The program focuses on three region-specific outputs:
- Electoral institutional capacity development
- Electoral decision making strengthened.
- Understanding of electoral norms and processes broadened and the professional development of national democratic institution stakeholders augmented.
The Voter Outreach for Transparent Elections (VOTE) Fiji project is working to reinforce the Fijian Elections Office by improving transparency, fostering civic awareness, and implementing a more robust gender-sensitive approach. The project is designed to contribute to the establishment of a representative and inclusive democracy, addressing societal and cultural barriers that hinder effective electoral processes.
The Project has four Fiji specific outputs:
- Advanced Civic and Voter Education for Heightened Public Engagement, Participation, & Trust.
- Improved Civic Education Election Curriculum Fostering Youth Knowledge & Understanding.
- Enhanced Operational Templates for Improved Election Efficiency, Confidence, & Transparency.
- Strengthening ESAG: Elevating Election Security, Collaboration, Preparedness.
This Program and Project align with the UNDP Multi-Country Program Document (2023-2027) Strategic Plan outcome, “No-one left behind,” which centers on equitable access to opportunities and a rights-based approach to ongoing human agency and human development. The project’s outputs directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Country Program Document (CPD), & Regional Programme Document (RPD).
The Pacific Civic Education Curriculum Specialist will work under the PEAP program manager and the Elections Advisor. The objective is to assist with the redevelopment of national civic education election curriculums in Fiji and Nauru, support the creation of a new civic education curricula and associated programs across the Pacific, and ensure the integration of a solid educational perspective into the curriculum manuals.
Duties and Responsibilities
Curriculum Review and Development:
- Review existing educational materials and curricula in Fiji, Nauru, and Solomon Islands from a pedagogy perspective.
- Identify gaps and opportunities between existing civic education curricula in national education programs and seek permission to incorporating those gaps or opportunities into a comprehensive civic education – either within existing modules or as stand-alone modules.
- Advice to the Outreach advisor in the development of new civic education materials and associated products.
- Ensure the materials align with existing Ministry of Education standards and do not conflict with current educational materials.
- Incorporate a broad perspective of civic education that extends beyond electoral processes.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Lead discussions and collaborate with Ministries of Education in Fiji, Nauru, and other countries including the Solomon Islands.
- Act as a liaison between election management bodies and Ministries of Education.
- Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure the successful integration of civic education materials into national curricula.
Teacher Support and Training:
- Develop teacher training programs for the newly created civic education materials.
- Ensure that the materials are user-friendly and meet the practical needs of teachers.
- Provide guidance and support to the Ministry and teachers for the effective delivery of the new curriculum.
Quality Assurance:
- Ensure that all educational materials and programs developed are of high quality and pedagogically sound.
- Incorporate best practices in education and curriculum development.
- Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the materials and programs, making necessary adjustments based on feedback from educators and students.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain thorough documentation of all processes, materials developed, and stakeholder interactions.
- Prepare regular progress reports for the lead developer and other stakeholders.
- Provide detailed reports on the impact and effectiveness of the new civic education curriculum.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Communications
- Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
Partnership management
- 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
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
- Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
Business Management
- Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organisation’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
- 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
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Teaching, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas 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:
- Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of working experience in the area of education and curriculum design.
- Additional years of work experience will be an advantage
- Experience in curriculum development and educational planning.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
- Experience in teacher training and support.
- Proven experience working with government ministries, especially Ministries of Education.
- Knowledge or experience with the Pacific Context is an asse
Required Languages:
- Fluency in English language required.
Disclaimer
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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