Policy Advisor on Public Administration Reform

EUAG - European Union Advisory Group to the Republic of Armenia

Yerevan, Armenia

Application Deadline: 23-May-13 
Additional Category: Democratic Governance 
Type of Contract: Individual Contract 
Post Level: International Consultant 
Languages Required: English 
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Jun-2013 
Duration of Initial Contract: 100 working days within 01 June 2013–30 April 2014 
Expected Duration of Assignment: 01 June 2013–30 April 2014

Background

The EU Advisory Group (EUAG) supports the Government of Armenia in its reform agenda as further detailed in the EU/Armenia Action Plan in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The overall objective of the project is to support the Republic of Armenia (RA) in the implementation of Armenia's reform agenda and relevant international commitments assumed by Armenia including through the implementation of the ENP Action Plan (ENPAP) and the upcoming Association Agenda. 

The EUAG will achieve these objectives through the continued delivery of an optimal mix of policy, legal and institutional Advisory services. These services are targeted at assisting the national authorities to negotiate and conclude the EU-Armenia Association Agreement (AA) and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, (DCFTA) implement the extended EU-Armenia ENP Action Plan and make effective use of European Commission (EC) external assistance instruments and programmes to support the policy implementation in core policy areas. 

A comprehensive public administration reform programme is the prerequisite both for economic development and further European integration. Capacity strengthening of public authorities at all levels appears necessary in order to ensure a merit-oriented, modern and professional service delivery and building public and private sector confidence in the government.

In 2009 and 2010, the EUAG supported the RA Government in the elaboration of a concept note on Public Sector Governance and Administrative Reform and took part in the work of the Civil Service Reform Working Group under the National Security Council. In line with the EU/Armenia ENP Action Plan, ENPI Armenia Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013 and the CIB priorities, the focus in the third phase will be mainly concentrated on the provision of strategic advice in areas related to increasing the capacity of the RA administration to efficiently implement state policies. During 2011-12, the EU Advisory Group continued providing policy advice on Public Administration Reform. 

The Comprehensive Institution-Building programme (CIB) of the Eastern Partnership aims at ensuring effective institution-building of a number of core institutions that are central in preparing the ground for negotiating and implementing the possible future AA and DCFTA. In order to strengthen the administrative capacity of the coordinating institutional structure for the implementation of the future DCFTA agreement and to effective utilize the tools provided by the CIB, the EUAG is to provide advice on the implementation of Institutional Reform Plans (IRP-s) for the selected institutions. 

TAIEX and SIGMA instruments can be mobilised to support the needs of RA government for additional technical support. In the mid-term perspective, more comprehensive technical assistance (e.g. TWINNING or Framework Contract) could be considered to ensure sustainability of the reforms and results achieved.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the EUAG Management, and under the leadership of the EU Delegation in terms of policy dialogue, the Advisor is expected to provide strategic advice to the Prime Minister Office on Public Administration Reform with the aim to increase the responsiveness and accountability of public services, and to further develop operational functioning and implementation of the regulatory framework on anticorruption as follows:

• Support the direct beneficiaries in managing the process of identifying and prioritising advisory needs, based on an analysis of EU-Armenia policy commitments and best practices, and formulate work-plans to respond to these;Identify and advise on specific PAR actions with stakeholders on the basis of the PAR Road map, the 2009 PAR Concept paper, and PAR actions under the Government’s 2012-2017 Programme; analyse the coherence between reform-oriented government policies and documents, as well as with respect to EU policies;
• Identify and provide comments on areas foreseen on Public Administration reform within the ENP Action Plan or future AA agenda, taking into account progress report recommendations;
• Support improvements in the area of anti-corruption from both policy, monitoring and enforcement perspectives:
• Provide advice on the future anti-corruption strategy and action plan for its implementation
• Provide advice on anti-corruption indexes of international organisations and their relevance for Armenia's anti- corruption measures.
• Provide advice on consultative mechanisms with Civil Society and assist the development of a strategy on the overall communication of the PM’s Office as necessary;
• Ensure synergy between public administration reform measures and activities supported through the other EU institution building tools (Twinning, TAIEX, SIGMA, CIB) and other type of assistance (e. g. Budget Support, Framework Contracts);
• Provide specific advice on relevant EU instruments to be used for the implementation of policy in this area and coordinate activities with other EU funded projects;
• Ensure that the management and reporting timelines defined in the Work Plan are adhered to and that outputs/results are delivered on time.

The Advisor will adhere at all times to the provisions of the Code of Conduct. EUAG will provide the Advisor with the interpretation/translation services required for carrying out the assignment. The Advisor will be based in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Expected deliverables:

The Advisor is expected to produce the following deliverables:

• Updated needs assessments on PAR to be provided regularly (minimum twice a year) and serve as basis for work plans and other actions. Detailed work plans developed in cooperation with the beneficiary and the EU Delegation and endorsed by the beneficiary;
• Follow up proposed actions to the PAR comprehensive needs assessment;
• Action plan setting out timescale for PAR initiatives under the Government’s 2012-2017 Programme;
• At least one Advisory paper for the PM office on actions foreseen in the ENP Action Plan and AA agenda in the area of PAR;
• Written comments and recommendations on Civil Service and on Public Service policy areas in coordination with SIGMA activities and EU best practices;
• Policy paper and recommendations on the areas of anti-corruption identified jointly with the Office of PM, the Presidential advisor as well as the EU Delegation;
• Analysis of international indexes on anti-corruption;
• Analytical review of consultative mechanisms for civil society; recommendations on communication for the PM Office;
• Desk review of methods for measuring the quality of the governmental services provided for the business community and civil society;
• Policy recommendations in connection with the upcoming donors’ conference and advice on coherence between reform-oriented government policies and documents;
• Evidence of advice on the use of other EU instruments for implementation of reforms; evidence of coordination and information sharing with other EU funded projects in this area;
• At least 2 EU high level public events and/or seminars supported (event coordination and substantive presentation);
• A final handover note with main information on the respective policy sector (key legislation and EU priorities, key issues, stakeholders, related external assistance projects and contact information) and mission results as well as future needs for assistance.

Competencies

• Practical professional experience of contemporary theory and practice relating to the functioning of public services including the role of human resources management within the transformation of public services;
• Practical knowledge of at least one EU Member States' institutional and procedural structures, preferably obtained from service in a EU Member State competent ministry;
• Familiarity with the EU acquis in the area of Public Administration;
• Knowledge of EU Community programmes and EU policies; awareness and understanding of the process of EU integration and accession in general;
• Highly developed coordination and facilitation skills and the ability to negotiate complex agenda with a broad range of stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced University degree in public administration and/or public law.

Working experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience with a proven track record;
• A minimum of 8 years of working experience in enacting public administration reforms providing high level advice to EU government or governments of candidate/ENP countries;
• Previous experience in working in the multinational environment and especially in the Post-Soviet Union region would be an asset.

Languages:

• Proficient command of English. Knowledge of Armenian or Russian would be a strong asset.

FC: 30079 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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