“Pillar Coordinator – Democratic Governance & Civic Engagement (UNDP Sri Lanka): A Deep-Dive into Strategic Leadership for Inclusive Governance”

April 24, 2025

13 minutes read

Pillar Coordinator – Democratic Governance & Civic Engagement (NPSA-10) position with UNDP in Colombo, Sri Lanka, covering every aspect from responsibilities, qualifications, strategic context, to practical tips for applying and succeeding in this role.

I. Strategic Context: The Role within UNDP Sri Lanka

1.1 UNDP’s Mandate in Sri Lanka

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka operates within the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a strong focus on SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. This is manifested through its Governance and Peacebuilding portfolio, a comprehensive set of initiatives designed to:http://👉 View Job on UNDP Careers Portal

Enhance inclusive governance,
Strengthen public institutions,
Promote social cohesion,
Improve people-centered services,
Encourage civic engagement and representation.

1.2 The SDG 16 Portfolio and its Pillars

The portfolio is implemented across four interrelated thematic pillars:

Pillar 1: Voice and Representation – Enhancing inclusive participation in public decision-making.
Pillar 2: Rights and Justice – Rule of law and access to justice.
Pillar 3: Strong and Efficient Institutions – Institutional development and governance.
Pillar 4: Social Cohesion – Addressing divisions and building trust in communities.

This role specifically coordinates Pillar 1 (Voice and Representation) and supports Pillar 3 (Strong and Efficient Institutions) to maximize impact through cross-pillar collaboration.@vacancyspaces.com

II. Core Functions and Responsibilities

2.1 Technical Coordination and Strategic Advisory

Advise UNDP leadership (especially Resident Representatives) on civic engagement and governance issues.
Provide technical input and oversight across all activities in the Voice and Representation pillar.
Ensure alignment of programming with national priorities and international standards (human rights, democratic norms).
Lead coordination with other pillars to break silos and drive integrated governance approaches.
Champion innovative approaches (digital tools, civic tech, participatory platforms).

2.2 Programme Management

Oversee full cycle of project management within the pillar: planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation.
Supervise project teams, including recruitment and performance management of staff and consultants.
Ensure timely and quality delivery of program outputs aligned with work plans and results frameworks.
Act as budget holder, manage financial resources, and ensure accountability and compliance.

2.3 Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization

Forge strategic alliances with donors, government entities, CSOs, and academia.
Actively engage in UN inter-agency coordination and joint programming initiatives.
Lead and participate in policy dialogue forums to influence governance reforms.
Design and execute resource mobilization strategies, contributing to portfolio sustainability.

2.4 Knowledge Management and Learning

Promote a culture of continuous learning within the team and among partners.
Collect and disseminate best practices, tools, and research on civic engagement and democratic governance.
Support capacity-building initiatives for government and civil society actors.
Translate knowledge products into programmatic tools and evidence-informed strategies.

III. Qualifications and Competency Requirements

3.1 Education

Required: Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Development Studies, International Relations, Law, or related fields.
Alternative: Bachelor’s degree plus two additional years of relevant experience (i.e., a total of 7 years instead of 5).

3.2 Experience

Minimum:
- 5 years (Master’s) or 7 years (Bachelor’s) of progressively responsible experience in project/program coordination or implementation.
Preferred:
- Experience working with government, CSOs, or international development organizations on governance and civic participation.
- Proven track record in team management, budget oversight, and inter-agency coordination.
- Familiarity with rights-based and inclusive governance, especially gender, youth, human rights, and disability inclusion.

3.3 Skills

Expertise in:
- Project management (planning, risk, results-based approaches),
- Policy development and strategic advisory,
- Digital governance and civic technology,
- Partnership and stakeholder engagement,
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

3.4 Language Requirements

Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil.
Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

IV. UNDP Competency Framework

4.1 Core Competencies (Level 3)

Achieve Results: Set and meet challenging objectives with sustainable impact.
Think Innovatively: Identify and pursue novel ideas to address governance problems.
Learn Continuously: Seek growth by expanding skills and embracing diverse experiences.
Adapt with Agility: Navigate change and competing priorities with resilience.
Act with Determination: Push through barriers for strategic impact.
Engage and Partner: Navigate complex partnerships and promote interagency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Promote equity and inclusivity across all areas of work.

4.2 Functional Competencies

Results-based management,
System thinking and holistic problem-solving,
Civic engagement frameworks and inclusive political processes,
Gender equality and institutional transformation.

V. Broader Organizational Expectations

5.1 Ethics and Accountability

UNDP maintains zero tolerance for harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority.
All personnel must undergo ethics vetting and adhere to the UN’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.

5.2 Inclusion and Equity

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applicants regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, or religion.
Special emphasis is placed on disability inclusion, gender equality, and youth empowerment in governance.

VI. Insights for Applicants

6.1 Who Should Apply

Ideal candidates include:

Experienced programme or policy managers in the governance field.
Practitioners from civil society, think tanks, or government with a strong understanding of inclusive governance.
Professionals with prior UN/INGO experience or exposure to SDG implementation.

6.2 Application Tips

Tailor your CV and motivation letter to highlight experience specifically in inclusive governance, civic engagement, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
Highlight past work with senior-level stakeholders, whether in government advisory, policy analysis, or CSO coalitions.
Demonstrate examples of leading complex projects, working in multicultural environments, or building partnerships.

6.3 Interview Preparation

Expect to discuss:

How you have led or coordinated governance-related programmes.
Your experience with donor engagement or inter-agency collaboration.
How you ensure inclusive stakeholder participation in policy processes.
Your approach to cross-pillar or cross-sector collaboration.
Scenarios demonstrating resilience, innovation, and systems thinking.

VII. Position Advantages and Impact

7.1 Strategic Relevance

This role sits at the nexus of democracy, civic participation, and institutional governance, influencing national priorities through:

Civic voice amplification,
Gender and disability inclusion,
Evidence-based policy reform.

7.2 Career Growth

Being a pillar coordinator at NPSA-10 level opens doors to:

International postings (with UNDP, UNV, or other UN bodies),
Strategic advisor roles,
Regional programme leadership opportunities,
Ph.D./fellowship paths in governance, development, or public administration.

VIII. Summary

Attribute	Details
Position Title	Pillar Coordinator – Democratic Governance & Civic Engagement
Location	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Contract Type	NPSA-10 (National Personnel Service Agreement)
Duration	1 year initially
Required Languages	Sinhala and/or Tamil, plus excellent English
Education	Master’s (preferred) or Bachelor’s + 7 years experience
Experience	5–7+ years in project management, policy, governance
Reports to	Policy Specialist and Team Lead, Inclusive Governance Team
Key Themes	Inclusive governance, civic engagement, human rights, innovation

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The Pillar Coordinator – Democratic Governance & Civic Engagement position with UNDP in Colombo, Sri Lanka is a senior national-level coordination and leadership role focused on governance and civic engagement. This position plays a pivotal role in guiding and managing one of the four pillars of the UNDP Sri Lanka SDG 16 Portfolio. Below is a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the role, covering its scope, responsibilities, competencies required, and strategic relevance:

🌍 Context and Strategic Framework

1. UNDP Sri Lanka’s SDG 16 Portfolio

The position is part of the Inclusive Governance Team (IGT) and supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The SDG 16 Portfolio promotes:

Good governance
Inclusive and accountable institutions
Civic participation and representation
Social cohesion and justice
Rule of law and trust in public institutions

2. Four Interconnected Pillars

The portfolio is structured around four mutually reinforcing pillars:

Pillar 1: Voice and Representation – Civic engagement, political participation, democratic processes.
Pillar 2: Rights and Justice – Access to justice, human rights.
Pillar 3: Strong and Efficient Institutions – Institutional reform and capacity building.
Pillar 4: Social Cohesion – Peacebuilding, inter-community dialogue.

The Pillar Coordinator’s main focus is on Pillar 1 but also contributes to Pillar 3 through collaborative work.

🧭 Core Role & Strategic Purpose

The Pillar Coordinator is expected to:

Lead the “Voice and Representation” pillar, which addresses challenges related to democratic participation, civic space, and inclusivity.
Provide technical guidance, strategic advice, and cross-pillar coordination within the governance portfolio.
Manage the pillar’s projects and teams while ensuring their alignment with national development goals and international standards.
Act as a key liaison with government counterparts, civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, private sector actors, and international partners.

🎯 Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Expertise & Coordination

Provide policy-level advisory support to senior stakeholders including government, donors, and UNDP leadership.
Ensure synergy and coherence between initiatives across all governance pillars.
Promote technology, innovation, and digital solutions in democratic governance and citizen engagement.

2. Programme Management & Implementation

Lead the design, budgeting, planning, and delivery of pillar-specific projects.
Oversee project teams, consultants, and administrative staff.
Ensure high-quality and timely delivery of results against performance indicators and project outputs.
Facilitate the adaptive management of programmes based on real-time learning and evaluations.

3. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with donors, government institutions, and non-state actors.
Support resource mobilization efforts, including proposal development and donor negotiations.
Represent UNDP in inter-agency forums, national policy dialogues, and multistakeholder platforms.

4. Knowledge Management and Learning

Capture and disseminate best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches.
Promote evidence-based policymaking by translating research and analysis into actionable programming.
Champion a learning culture within the team and encourage cross-team collaboration.

🔧 Cross-cutting Issues and Integration Areas

The role requires strong focus on integrating cross-cutting themes, including:

Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Youth participation and leadership
Human rights-based approaches
Disability inclusion
Do-No-Harm and Conflict Sensitivity
Data and digitalization for governance innovation

🧠 Skills and Competencies Required

🌟 Core Competencies (Level 3)

Achieve Results: Effectively align workplans with complex, multi-project goals.
Think Innovatively: Bring creative approaches to political and civic challenges.
Learn Continuously: Stay updated and integrate new tools, technologies, and methodologies.
Adapt with Agility: Handle uncertainty and changing political landscapes.
Engage and Partner: Exhibit political savvy and collaborative leadership.
Act with Determination: Demonstrate strategic foresight and courage in governance reform.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Foster an inclusive work environment and programming.

🔍 Technical Competencies

Results-based Management (RBM) – Performance-focused planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Project Management – Budgeting, staffing, implementation oversight.
Risk Management – Identifying and mitigating operational and reputational risks.
Systems Thinking – Understanding governance as a complex, interconnected ecosystem.
Civic Engagement – Designing inclusive participatory processes and policies.
Inclusive Political Processes – Supporting elections, political participation, and democratic reform.

🎓 Qualifications and Experience

Education

A Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Development Studies, or related fields.
A Bachelor’s Degree with 7+ years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s.

Experience

At least 5 years (Master’s) or 7 years (Bachelor’s) of progressively responsible experience in:
- Governance reform, civic engagement, and/or public sector development.
- Coordination of complex, multi-stakeholder development programmes.
- Working with senior government officials, CSOs, and international development partners.
Experience with:
- Policy and programme advisory work.
- People management, recruitment and supervision.
- Project budgeting and procurement.
- Use of digital tools, data, and knowledge platforms.

🗣️ Language Requirements

Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil AND English (oral and written) is mandatory.

🧳 Travel & Other Notes

Occasional official travel within the country may be required for project monitoring, consultations, and coordination.
The position is based in Colombo, but interacts regularly with national and sub-national institutions.

💡 Why this Role Matters

This is a strategic leadership role for UNDP’s efforts to:

Promote democratic governance.
Strengthen civic space and inclusive institutions.
Enable Sri Lanka’s progress toward SDG 16, especially in a post-crisis recovery context.
Shape the future of governance programming through innovation, partnerships, and rights-based approaches.

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Absolutely. Let’s go deeper into the Pillar Coordinator – Democratic Governance & Civic Engagement role with UNDP in Colombo, Sri Lanka, unpacking additional dimensions related to its governance ecosystem, project contexts, stakeholder environments, and future impact—all while expanding the explanation well beyond 3000 words.

🧩 PART I: Political and Development Context

1. Sri Lanka’s Governance Landscape

Sri Lanka has undergone significant political transitions, economic fluctuations, and governance reforms over the past two decades. Key governance challenges that frame the context of this role include:

Citizen trust in institutions has declined due to corruption, mismanagement, and economic crises.
Freedom of expression, civic space, and media independence face constraints.
Youth disengagement and low participation of women and minorities in democratic processes.
A complex history of conflict and ethnic tensions, requiring sensitive and inclusive governance responses.

In this environment, UNDP Sri Lanka’s governance programming aims to strengthen the social contract between state and citizen, promote inclusive participation, and reinforce accountable institutions. The Pillar Coordinator sits at the nexus of these transformation efforts.

🔎 PART II: In-Depth Responsibilities Breakdown

A. Strategic Leadership and Policy Engagement

The coordinator acts as both thought leader and convener across various governance-related domains. Key actions include:

High-level advisory support to ministries such as Public Administration, Parliamentary Affairs, and Women’s Affairs.
Developing policy proposals for improving public participation mechanisms, like Right to Information, Citizen Budgeting, and E-governance portals.
Leading evidence-based advocacy with parliamentarians and civic stakeholders on electoral and political reform.

This requires fluency in constitutional law, public administration frameworks, and decentralization policy.

B. Democracy and Political Participation

The “Voice and Representation” pillar spearheads initiatives to:

Improve access to political decision-making for underrepresented groups—women, youth, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities.
Support free and fair elections, voter education, and civil society monitoring.
Strengthen political party systems, intra-party democracy, and ethical political financing.
Promote deliberative democracy: town hall meetings, participatory budgeting, citizen report cards, etc.

This pillar not only engages state actors, but also empowers grassroots organizations, youth groups, and community-based media.

C. Civic Technology and Digital Governance

The Coordinator is expected to innovate within digital governance, including:

Supporting civic tech startups and digital engagement platforms.
Developing and overseeing digital grievance redress systems or open government portals.
Promoting e-participation tools and digital literacy for marginalized populations.
Using data analytics for public sentiment analysis, citizen feedback loops, and evidence-based policymaking.

This aligns with UNDP’s broader Digital Strategy 2022-2025, emphasizing transformative governance through technology.

D. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

The Pillar Coordinator also drives capacity development across:

Parliamentary strengthening – training MPs and staff, modernizing committee systems, fostering legislative-executive synergy.
Public sector reform – merit-based recruitment, ethical governance, accountability frameworks.
Local governance – enabling inclusive local councils, participatory planning, and subnational policy coherence.

These capacity-building efforts use modular training, South-South exchanges, mentoring models, and innovation labs.

🔗 PART III: Stakeholder Ecosystem

This role operates in a highly multi-stakeholder and politically sensitive ecosystem. Key stakeholder groups include:

1. Government Institutions

National ministries and departments (especially in governance, elections, justice, and reconciliation).
Parliament and Independent Commissions such as the Election Commission and Human Rights Commission.
Provincial and local government authorities involved in decentralization and community development.

2. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

NGOs working on transparency, accountability, civic education, and gender equality.
Think tanks and academic institutions producing research and civic tech innovations.
Community-based organizations, especially those working with marginalized groups.

3. International Development Partners

UN agencies (e.g., OHCHR, UN Women, UNICEF).
Bilateral donors (e.g., EU, USAID, GIZ, DFAT).
Regional bodies (e.g., SAARC, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association).

4. Private Sector and Media

Responsible business coalitions advocating for open governance and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) frameworks.
Independent media and fact-checking networks combatting disinformation.

The Coordinator must skillfully manage these relationships, build consensus, and navigate political sensitivities while ensuring human rights and democratic values remain central.

🧠 PART IV: Advanced Competency Framework

The role demands exceptional analytical, diplomatic, managerial, and communication skills. Let’s break down the UNDP People for 2030 competency clusters that are essential:

🌐 I. Systemic Thinking & Strategy

Anticipate the intersections between governance, peacebuilding, and socio-economic inclusion.
Apply political economy analysis (PEA) and governance diagnostics to programme design.
Strategize around governance innovations with a forward-looking lens (e.g., AI in elections, digital civic identities).

🛠 II. Operational and Programmatic Mastery

Apply RBM tools like Theory of Change, Logical Frameworks, Output Indicators, and Development Effectiveness Reviews.
Utilize UNDP’s corporate systems (e.g., ATLAS, Quantum, PPM) for project management.
Lead procurement, HR management, and financial oversight of large-scale governance initiatives.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 III. Leadership and Team Management

Motivate and mentor diverse teams, fostering an inclusive and adaptive culture.
Coordinate with Pillar Leads from other thematic areas to ensure portfolio coherence.
Champion gender-transformative approaches and apply the UN-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard.

💬 IV. Communication and Influence

Produce policy briefs, op-eds, and technical guidance notes for diverse audiences.
Facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations, peace dialogues, and high-stakes negotiations.
Use data visualization and storytelling to bring governance work to life.

📊 PART V: Results and Impact Measurement

The Coordinator is accountable for delivering against several key results indicators, such as:

Number of inclusive policy reforms supported (e.g., civic laws, electoral frameworks).
Volume and quality of CSO and government partnerships built.
Beneficiary engagement metrics—e.g., % of youth/women participating in civic initiatives.
Degree of institutionalization of transparency and accountability mechanisms.
Progress on UNDP Sri Lanka’s Strategic Plan Outcomes and Country Programme Document (CPD) indicators.

The role involves managing mid-term reviews, evaluations, risk registers, and annual outcome reports aligned with UNDP’s Results-Oriented Annual Reporting (ROAR).

📈 PART VI: Future Outlook and Strategic Relevance

The Pillar Coordinator’s work is foundational to Sri Lanka’s democratic resilience and long-term development. In the face of:

Democratic backsliding
Shrinking civic space
Rising youth apathy
Ethno-religious tensions

…the Coordinator must proactively innovate, defend rights-based governance, and advance civic trust-building mechanisms.

Moreover, their leadership will help shape the 2026–2030 UNDP Country Programme, anchoring SDG 16 as a catalyst for peace, inclusive growth, and justice.

🧳 Conclusion: The Profile This Role Requires

The ideal candidate for this role is:

A seasoned governance professional with deep local context understanding and a global development lens.
Equally confident in policy negotiation rooms and grassroots community halls.
Passionate about democratic integrity, citizen empowerment, and human rights.
Skilled in both big-picture strategy and hands-on programme delivery.
A bridge-builder across sectors, ideologies, and communities.

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