Police Investigations Specialist at UNDP

UNDP’s work in the area of governance in Malawi contributes to the aim of the UN Development Assistance Framework [2019-2023] to address root causes of poor governance, through supporting governance institutions at all levels to harmonize policy, legal and organizational frameworks; strengthen data systems and oversight institutions for enhanced accountability; strengthen gender and human rights frameworks, institutional systems, civic engagement; and improve participation and early warning systems.

While governance is pivotal to all other pillars of the UNDAF, UNDP’s work focuses on contributing to the achievement of three outcomes: 1) Rights holders access more accountable and effective institutions at the central and decentralized levels that use quality disaggregated data, offer integrated service delivery and promote civic engagement, respect for human rights and rule of law; 2) Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls enhanced; and 3) Malawi has strengthened institutional capacities for sustaining peace, inclusive societies and participatory democracy.

Further, the new Governance Portfolio has been developed around three main pillars: Pillar I – Effective, Accountable and Responsive Institutions; Pillar 2 – Civic Engagement and Empowerment; and Pillar 3 – Oversight, Human Rights and Rule of Law.

The UNDP’s current Country Programme Document 2019-2023 considers Good Governance as the core to ensuring poverty reduction and sustainable development. It looks at Governance as having a maximum multiplier effect on achieving the SDGs and a leverage point for development. Governance has also been one of the strategic pillars in the development agenda of Malawi’s government. The national development strategy considers governance to be the “the backbone for an efficient and effective public sector” and acknowledges the extent to which mind-set changes and behavioural shifts are needed to sustain profound transformations.

Project Context

Lack of confidence in the Malawi Police Service (MPS) has at times led to tension between the police and the citizenry. Action is needed to inspire greater levels of ethical behaviour within all ranks of the police to improve the relationship with the public.

The strengthening of the newly established Independent Complaints Commission (ICC) as a valuable oversight body is likely to inspire greater levels of professionalism among the ranks which, in turn, should inspire an upturn in the levels of trust between the MPS and the citizens it is meant to serve. The required measures of support will focus on establishing successful linkages between ICC and other entities that protect the rights of citizens; a robust sensitization campaign to the public and within MPS itself; upgraded security of ICC staff and assets as well as measures to protect the integrity of evidence and information; and, the increased technical capabilities of the ICC staff itself.

Within this context and with these priorities, UNDP Malawi is growing its current Governance Portfolio to better support the Malawi Government. To support this growth, the Governance Unit is seeking a qualified Police Investigations Specialist to grow our rule of law work, and develop the investigations capacity of the Independent Complaints Commission.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide technical advisory and capacity development support in the following areas:

• Technical advisory support
• Capacity development support
• Partner coordination
• Knowledge management
• Project management

Provides technical advisory support on security requirements, both physical (premises and persons) and information / IT

• Provides technical analysis and inputs on the physical security requirements of the ICC office and staff;
• Oversees needs assessments on IT and physical infrastructure, and lead on the procurement of required IT and physical equipments;
• Assists ICC in correctly installing, managing and maintaining security equipment.

Provides capacity development support

• Provides training expertise and day-to-day mentoring support to the Independent Complaints Commission and Malawi Police Service in the areas of investigation, application of human rights and a high level of professionalism in carrying out their duties;
• Monitors the performance of the ICC to determine further training needs;
• Advises the ICC authorities to promote professionalization;
• Develops capacity of UNDP national staff for management of oversight and security sector partners.

Leads on coordination with security sector and rule of law partners 

• Liaises with relevant partners to ensure ICC performance is improved and their coordination with the Police, public, Judiciary and other branches of civil society and Government are strengthened;
• Coordinates with oversight institutions (Malawi Human Rights Commission, Ombudsmans Office, Anti-Corruption Bureau, civil society and related government institutions) to drive advocacy and improve the quality of cases.

Develops knowledge management systems and products on security sector engagement and oversight

• Initiates and develops to a level of high quality knowledge products to support and highlight the work undertaken through the project
• Promotes a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Leads on Project Management

• Manages the delivery of inputs and outputs in line with the project’s approved work plan;
• Facilitates day-to-day management of project activities for the duration of the project, covering all phases of the project and adhering to the Project Document and work plans;
• Serves as a liaison between government officials, broader rule of law stakeholders, and UNDP;
• Acts as the professional advisor to senior officers as a subject matter expert;
• Undertakes regular monitoring visits to project sites, ensuring project documents are in compliance with UNDP policies and procedures and reporting on project progress and constraints;
• Prepares and maintains detailed quantitative and qualitative accounts of project activities;
• Oversees administrative and logistical support for project missions and facilitates project-related meetings and missions throughout the country;
• Carries out any other relevant duties as requested by the Portfolio Manager.

Institutional Arrangement

• Under the supervision of the Portfolio Manager, Governance, the Police Investigations Specialist will be based in the Independent Complaints Commission and work directly with the ICC Commissioner to develop and execute a capacity development plan for the ICC officers, as well as complementary capacity development support to partner security sector, rule of law and oversight institutions. The Police Investigations Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations

• 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

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking:

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Direction & Strategy: Business Acumen

• Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome;
• Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks

Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making

• Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with ones authority, area of expertise and resources

Business Management: 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

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Partnership management: Relationship management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Law, Criminology, Police Sciences or related field.

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing technical advisory services to police and / or oversight bodies;
• Advanced rank/experience in a police service;
• Demonstrable extensive experience in investigations;
• Demonstrable experience in Physical and IT-related Security analysis and management;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
• Problem solving skills;
• Ability to gather information and produce substantive reports.

Language

• Fluency in English required.

Professional Certificates

• Additional professional certificates in investigations, premises and/or IT security would be an asset.