UNDP Pillar Coordinator – Democratic Governance & Civic Engagement || Apply Now |

The Pillar Coordinator-  Democratic Governance & Civic Engagement, will provide technical guidance and direction to the Voice and Representation Pillar, support and link closely with the Pillar Strong Efficient Institutions with close collaboration across pillars. He/ She will liaise with national, sub-national and international counterparts (including UN agencies) civil society, private sector, organizations/donors and other development partners. He/She will manage related projects, guide personnel and ensure delivery of quality results as well as work cross pillars for maximal synergies (some functions such as operation support are shared across pillars).

Duties and Responsibilities of Pillar Coordinator

The post holder will work under the supervision of Policy Specialist and Team Lead , Inclusive Governance Team.

Provide quality technical expertise and coordination

• Provides technical advisory support, drawing on international good practice and close collaboration across the Portfolio Pillars including leading cross-pillar work under the guidance of IGT Team Leader.
• Advises UNDP Resident Representatives on policy matters and prepares suitable inputs to documents, presentations and relevant publications;
• Provides coordination of the various work streams and areas within the pillar, brining together initiatives towards a common result;
• Brings in experience and advance the use of technology, digital approaches and innovation in providing suitable solutions to Sri Lanka.

Lead the overall programme of the related pillar

• Lead the overall management of the projects within the pillar with matrix reporting to other pillar as relevant; including managing programme staff, hiring, and overseeing external consultants, maintain working relations with key partners.
• Ensure effective and timely implementation of activities with high quality technical support, in line with results frameworks and work plans.
• Lead the development of annual workplans and/or revise workplans and budgets, in line with the overall project results framework .
• As budget-holder, planning and leading the budget implementation

Advocacy, Partnerships, Resource Mobilization

• Strengthen and develop partnerships and resource mobilization strategies with donors, multi-lateral organizations, IFIs, government, the business sector, academia, CSOs and the media.
• Actively engage in UN interagency coordination as well as in other fora with the aim to advance UNDP’s strategic agenda.
•  Engages in policy dialogue and technical discussion with government, donors, civil society, private sector and academia.
• Collaborate with UNDP teams across UNDP Sri Lanka, as well as other country offices.

Facilitate knowledge building and management

• Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning as well as external information
• Actively participate in the knowledge networks and takes advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available in the region and globally, and encourages staff to do so by creating a culture of knowledge and learning.
• Keep abreast of new areas of work and provide guidance of how to incorporate into UNDPs current and future work.
• Ensure that research and knowledge products generated translate into learning and design of future programming for UNDP as well as being shared with partners.

Check : World Agriculture Forum Research & Knowledge Management Intern 2025

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Policy, Public Policy, Politics, Economics, Peace and conflict, international relations, Law, Management, Development Studies or a related area is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated 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 of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in effective project implementation/ coordination is required.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages(MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Substantial previous experience in working with senior government officials on policy and strategic issues and /or Civil Society Organizations (CSO) engagement an asset.
• Experience in supervision, people management and team building will be an advantage.
• Experience of providing policy and/or programme advice in areas of inclusive governance, democratic governance, civic engagement and/or public sector reform an asset.
• Knowledge of cross-cutting principles such as Gender, Human Rights-based approaches to development, Conflict Sensitivity and Do-No-Harm approaches and disability inclusion, will be an advantage.
• Prior work experience with a UNs entity or development organization will be an added advantage.

Required languages:

• Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil with excellent English communication (Oral and written) skills is required.

Travel:

• Include any official travel expected to be associated with performing the functions

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