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Governance Specialist (Open to all applicants)
Better Than Cash
Gaborone, Botswana
Posted on May 1, 2026
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
UNDP Botswana supports the Government and people of Botswana in their development journey toward achieving shared prosperity, as articulated in Vision 2036 and outlined in the National Development Plans. The UNDP Country Office (CO) implements this commitment through its Country Programme Document (CPD), which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP Country Programme (2022-2026) aims to provide upstream strategic and evidence-based advisory support while also delivering downstream interventions that engage directly with communities to promote a greener, more just, and prosperous Botswana. As a key member of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Botswana, UNDP works collaboratively with other UN agencies under a coordinated "Delivering as One" approach.
The UN’s engagement in Botswana is guided by the United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF), which derives its mandate from the 2030 Agenda, the SDGs, and the Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP12) and the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP). In alignment with its commitment to accountability to partners, including governments and citizens, UNDP and the broader UN system ensure systematic, meticulous, and consistent tracking of progress against predefined results outlined in the UN Cooperation Framework (One UN Document) and the Country Programme Document (UNDP document).
Botswana’s governance landscape remains peaceful, stable, and internationally recognised for its strong institutions, sound policies, and longstanding commitment to democratic governance. This solid foundation continues to position the country as a regional example of good governance. At the same time, institutions are facing growing pressure to adapt to rising expectations for efficient service delivery, modern digital systems, and more responsive public services. These evolving demands highlight the need to strengthen institutional capacities, improve coordination, and enhance the quality and reach of public services. Within its Country Programme Document, UNDP prioritises support to national partners in key governance areas: promoting institutional strengthening through evidence‑based planning and monitoring systems. UNDP also places emphasis on expanding digital governance solutions and modernised service delivery platforms to ensure more responsive, transparent and accountable, and citizen‑centered public services.
These priorities are driven by a rights‑based approach that positions women and youth and Persons with Disability as key rights‑holders, communities and the private sector as partners in transformation, and public institutions as duty‑bearers. Through these partnerships, UNDP aims to contribute to a governance system that is more transparent, responsive and trusted. The Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12) places strong emphasis on governance reform as part of Botswana’s shift toward a high‑income, digitally enabled and export‑driven economy. Delivering on the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme requires capable institutions, accessible justice services, effective law‑enforcement and regulatory systems, and inclusive policy processes that support national aspirations for shared prosperity and reduced inequality.
Against this backdrop, the Governance Specialist will lead UNDP’s contribution to strengthening rule‑of‑law, widening access to justice, supporting human rights implementation, and advancing integrity and accountability systems. The Specialist will ensure that UNDP’s programme approach is grounded in national priorities, evidence and UN normative standards.
Under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Specialist will provide policy advice on justice sector reform, legal empowerment, human rights implementation, anti‑corruption, institutional strengthening and governance innovations and the increased participation of and representation of vulnerable groups. S/He will lead the design and implementation of governance and justice initiatives under the CPD, ensuring clear results, measurable outcomes and alignment with SDG 5,16 and 17. It is expected that successful candidate will support government partners—including the National Assembly and other Constitutional institutions, law‑enforcement agencies, independent bodies and local authorities—to identify reform options that improve access to justice, strengthen service delivery and enhance rights protection. The Incumbent will facilitate civil society and community participation in justice and human rights processes, including expansion of legal aid, community‑based justice initiatives and citizen oversight while advancing digital governance tools in the justice sector, including data systems, case‑tracking mechanisms and platforms that improve coordination across institutions. Further, in line with UNDP policy and knowledge management work, the successful candidate will produce research, diagnostics and policy briefs to inform national dialogue, legislative processes and institutional reforms. S/He is expected to build and manage partnerships with government, CSOs, academia, UN agencies, regional bodies, development partners and the private sector to deliver concrete governance and justice results; and mobilise resources through concept notes, proposals and donor engagement focused on governance, rule of law and human rights.
The Specialist may supervise consultants and will work closely with UNDP’s regional and global governance networks to ensure Botswana benefits from comparative experience, knowledge and relevant technical support.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.Ensuring the strategic direction of UNDP Governance Programme
- Thorough analysis of the governance and political situation of the country and collaborative preparation/revision of Country Assessment (CA), United Nations Sustainable Development Corporation Framework (UNSDCF), Country Programme Document (CPD), and other documents;
- Identification of strategic and innovative areas of cooperation;
- Operationalization of the Governance aspect of UNSDCF/CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN agencies;
- Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and programmes and their implementation in the CO.;
- CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Governance Workstreams.
2. Management of the CO Governance Programme
- Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring and achievement of results;
- Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of fanatical resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations; Under delegated authority may perform the function of Manager Level 2 in Quantum for development projects transactions approval;
- Effective monitoring, measuring the impacts of Governance Programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely adjustment of programme;
- Ensures effective follow up to Audit recommendations and findings;
- Ensures effective organization of cost recovery system for the services provided by the CO to Governance-area projects in close collaboration with Operations Manager.
3. Lead and guide the formulation of Governance projects and Programmes
- Support partners in the implementation of ongoing activities under the Country Programme;
- Provide quality assurance support during programme planning, implementation and progress monitoring and reporting;
- Provide timely and relevant technical and operational information in preparation of UNDP Country office’s (CO) participation in Results Groups and other development group focusing on issues of thematic and institutional linkages and coordination;
- Support the adoption and application of the 2030 agenda for development and the Sustainable Development Goals, Results Based Management (RBM), Gender Mainstreaming methods in project implementation and reporting;
- Contribution to continuous monitoring and assessment of the programme impact with special attention to potential perverse effects to political, social and economic governance including human rights, in order to inform strategy readjustments;
- Preparation of regular updates on programme component activities, outputs and outcomes as input to aggregate CO programme reports;
- Contribution to continuous risk assessment, analysis and management; identification of operational and financial problems; development of solutions and participation in programme audit planning, implementation and follow up; and
- Contribute to project closure processes for the concluding projects and transition to the new CP and projects;
- Contribute to the ongoing programming for the new CPD and projects through translating UNDP priorities, strategies and lessons learn to inform local interventions.
3. Institutionalizes and maintains enduring donor intelligence, strategic partnership and resource mobilization
- Establish the framework for scanning donors’ environment to determine areas of priorities on governance with reference to institutional development and capacity strengthening (e.g., human rights and access to justice; parliamentary development; e-governance and decentralization). This is to determine country’s need, areas of cooperation and priority areas;
- Develop and implement partnerships for achieving effective resource mobilization to achieve programme outcomes;
- Establishment and coordination of partnerships with UN Agencies, international financial institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, government institutions, organized private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholder;.
- Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor priorities;
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for cost sharing.
4. Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management
- Identification of sources of information related to governance policy-driven issues;
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to governance programme and the country development goals;
- Development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
- Provision of high quality periodic analytical reports on ongoing governance-related developments for CO and Headquarters consumption.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Governance Specialist will report directly to the Deputy Resident Representative (Programmes and Operations).
Competencies
CORE
- 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
2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness
- Programming (PPM) policies and procedures
2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness: Effectiveness
- Performance analysis on programming
2030 Agenda: Partnerships: SDG Finance
- Governance and Coordination for the Financing of the SDGs
Business Direction & Strategy: Systems 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
Business Management: Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Partnership Engagement: Resource mobilization
- Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/ projects/ initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
Partnership Management : Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding
- Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platform
- Initiates and sustains relationships with key stakeholders.
- Builds and sustains effective partnerships with UN agencies and implementing partners.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Law, Governance areas of Public Administration, Social Sciences or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 9years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in Law, Public Sector Reform, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related field.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
- Experience in governance, promoting institutional strengthening, public sector reform, gender and inclusion in line with UNDP Policies;
- Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
- Experience with a proven track record in resource mobilisation and partnership engagement.
Desired Criteria
- Experience working with UNDP or other UN agencies or other regional and international organizations supporting governance, Human Rights and Public Sector Reform;
- Experience on gender and inclusion;
- Experience in people management, capacity building, partnership and networking;
- Experience in conducting political economy analysis, strategic planning, resource mobilization, and policy advocacy;
- Experience in formulation of concept notes, position papers and political economy analysis and project management.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English and Setswana is required.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
Duties and Responsibilities