Background
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ย 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.
\"Further Improvement of Public Service Delivery in Uzbekistan\" is a joint project of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded by the European Union. The overall goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of the rural population โ particularly of women, youth and children, elderly, and people with disabilities โ by increasing their access to affordable, convenient and high-quality public services, with a focus on remote, self-service online public services as well as by expanding the citizensโ participation in decision making at the local level.ย
The project will support the Government of Uzbekistan in further transforming and modernising the public administration at central, regional, and district levels to improve the quality of public services and local governance in rural areas. This will be achieved through enabling access to inclusive and user-centric public services, integrating advanced technologies and practices through digitalization, applying decentralised and multi-channel service delivery.ย
The project is expected to produce the following main outputs:ย
(1) Transform institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks underpinning the back office of the national public services delivery system.ย
(2) Enhance capacity of the back office institutions in public service delivery to ensure their effective operation at the national, regional and local levels.ย
(3) Conduct digital and user-centric transformation of the back office institutions to improve availability and quality of public services.ย
(4) Transform the system of local governance to ensure responsiveness, accountability and better operation of regional and local institutions functioning as back offices.ย
The projectโs interventions will focus both on the country as a whole (systemic reforms) and the selected remote pilot districts for more targeted results. This will be done through improving policies, enhancing capacity, digital transformation and streamlining the functions of (1) government bodies processing requests from citizens and businesses in back-offices (BOs), (2) Public Services Centres (PSCs) acting as one-stop shops for public services, (3) Ministry of Justice responsible for the unified state policy in public service delivery, and (4) Councils of Peopleโs Deputies (Kengashes) and other local administrative bodies in charge of local governance.ย
ย
Under direct supervision of the UNDP Cluster Leader on Effective Governance and guidance of the Project Board, the Project Specialist will be responsible for the operational management and implementation of the project according to the project document (concept note of the engagement facility), UNDP corporate rules and procedures, donor requirements, and will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:ย
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ย
Institutional Arrangementย
The Project Specialist will work under direct supervision of the UNDP Effective Governance Cluster Team Leader and in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator. The Project Specialist closely collaborates with the national partners, other UNDP projects, UNDP CO programme and operations units to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery and undertake day-to-day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the assigned tasks.ย
ย Competencies
Core Competencies Achieve Results:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.ย ย Think Innovatively:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.ย ย Learn Continuously:ย ย LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.ย Adapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.ย ย Act with Determination:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.ย Engage and Partner:ย ย LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.ย Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.ย
Cross Functional and Technical Competencies
System Thinking:ย 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.ย Business Acumen:ย Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.ย Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.ย Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.ย Knowledge Facilitation:ย Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas.ย Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.ย Digital Awareness and Literacy:ย Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value.ย Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed.ย Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.ย Monitoring & Evaluation:ย Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively.ย Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.ย Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.ย Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.ย Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.ย Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.ย Governance:ย Digitalisation of Governance.ย Public Administration Reform.ย ยRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Mastersโ Degree in Business Administration, Information Technologies, Law, Public Policy, International Relations, Social Sciences or other related fields is required, OR;ย ย Bachelorยดs Degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Masterโs degree.ยExperience:
Minimum of 5 (five) years of work experience (with Masterโs Degree) or 7 (seven) years of work experience (with Bachelorโs Degree) in public service delivery, digitalization, e-governance, public administration, rule of law, or relevant field.ยRequired Skills:
At least 2 years of demonstrable project/programme management experience.ย ย Strong knowledge of the current public sector reform issues and challenges in Uzbekistan.ย Solid understanding of public service delivery and digitalization policies, tools, approaches and standards.Desired Skills:
Work experience in any development organizations.ย Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.Required Languages:
Fluency in English and in Uzbek is required.ย ย Good command of Russian is desirable.ย Disclaimer ย Applicant information about UNDP rosters ย Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.ยย Non-discriminationย
ย 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.ย ย ย
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