UNDP Jobs - 29586- Programme Advisor (Reconciliation and Development)

Programme Advisor (Reconciliation and Development)

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

15-Jun-2012

Application Deadline :

04-May-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Organizational Context

The UN Country Team in Sri Lanka is finalizing a new UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) that incorporates a reconciliation and peace building component. In line with these emerging UNDAF priorities and continued effort of the United Nations to build the foundations for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka, the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) have agreed to deploy an Advisor on Reconciliation and Development to the UN Country Team. The Advisor will work with the Country Team and national counterparts to support the ongoing and planned reconciliation and peace-building efforts of the UN system, and develop and undertake specific programmes and activities as and when feasible.

Given the complexity of the development context in Sri Lanka, the Advisor will also play a key role in developing new partnerships with relevant national counterparts and will therefore need to carry the necessary “gravitas” and substantive stature necessary to engage high-level government officials and donors in a credible manner. The Advisor’s role will also extend to providing substantive leadership under the UN Resident Coordinator on reconciliation and development issues relevant to the UNCT. Given the country context and the premium placed on seniority and experience by all partners, the RDA will need to carry the appropriate competencies as well as rank.

The Advisor on Reconciliation and Development will work under the direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator, Sri Lanka, and will report to the UN Resident Coordinator on a day-to-day basis, under the guidance of UNDP and the Department of Political Affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Advisor on Reconciliation & Development will perform the following functions:-

Provide guidance to the Resident Coordinator and UNCT on issues of reconciliation and development.
Identify programme options for UNCT, including development of proposals, and identification of funding options.
Advice and assist UNCT in developing conflict sensitive approaches.

Function/Expected Results: Provide guidance to the Resident Coordinator and UNCT on issues of reconciliation and development.

Assist the UN Country Team and relevant national counterparts in operationalizing reconciliation and peace-building elements of the UN Development Assistance Framework.
Provide strategic analysis on issues relating to peace, reconciliation and development to the Resident Coordinator and to UN headquarters, to enable the wider UN system to effectively support peace-building in Sri Lanka.
Provide expert advice to on-going and new peace-building efforts of the UN system.
Support the establishment of the UNDP Policy Unit and provide expert advice especially on issues related to peace, reconciliation, governance and development.
Work towards promoting consensus on parameters and frameworks for UN support and effective implementation of new initiatives by liaising with high level government officials and relevant national counterparts.
Act as a resource person and coordinate with other international and national partners, institutions and initiatives in order to promote a comprehensive approach towards supporting peace-building, reconciliation and development in Sri Lanka.
Prepare additional technical and policy advice and participate in peace building, reconciliation and development initiatives which fall under the purview of the UN Country Team, as directed by the UN RC/RR.
Play a lead role in drafting monthly briefs which analyse the political context and its potential impact on reconciliation and development efforts for submission to DPA, EoSG, OHCHR and OCHA offices.
Ensure that the RC and UNCT are guided in their work by international best practice that is adapted to ground realities in Sri Lanka.

Function/Expected Results: Identify programme options for UNCT including development of proposals, and identification of funding options.

On the basis of existing UN programmes and initiatives, provide substantive guidance to the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team for identifying “entry points” for peace-building and reconciliation initiatives and developing appropriate strategic responses.
Consistent with the UNDAF 2013-2017, advise the UNCT in the implementation of UN initiatives aimed at building national and local capacities for conflict management, as well as promoting intra and inter community dialogue and reconciliation.
Establish and maintain close links with relevant donors and advice the UN RC on opportunities which can be availed of for mobilizing resources for peace building, reconciliation and development initiatives.
Support the UNCT and the Inter-Agency Communications Group to raise the profile of the UN’s work on reconciliation and development.
Sign off on and approve budget expenditure for the Resident Coordinator’s Office in line with the office work plan.
Act as the head and manage staff of the RCO in the absence of the incumbent.

Function/Expected Results: Advice and assist the UNCT in developing conflict sensitive approaches.

As substantive advisor to the UN Country Team, assist the UNCT, the UNDP Country Office and national counterparts in implementing relevant development programmes from a “conflict-sensitive” perspective.
Advice the UNCT and take the lead in building a network of partners and stakeholders (including government, donors, UN agencies, civil society) working on reconciliation and development initiatives and work with them to strengthen and incorporate conflict sensitive approaches in all development programming.
Take the lead in developing generic guidelines, taking into account the local context, which can be used in future/long term reconciliation and development initiatives.
Provide training to partners and programme staff, at Colombo and field level to raise their skills in conflict sensitive approaches to development.

Impact of Results:

UNCT and its partners and counterparts, promotes a smooth transition and sustainable recovery through well planned and targeted interventions addressing issues of development and reconciliation.

Competencies

Functional/Technical:

Substantive and technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:

Post- conflict analysis/assessment and mainstreaming conflict prevention into national development programmes.
Facilitating multi-stakeholder national/local dialogue for post-conflict development.
Outstanding knowledge of facilitation/training, process and co-ordination skills.
Extensive experience of providing policy advice (including report writing) at international level.
Experience of inter-agency policy processes.

Managerial:

Managerial skills and previous experience in managing teams in complex environments.
Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment.
Excellent team-building and interpersonal skills.
Resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgment.

Communication/Teamwork/Client orientation:

Strong communication and advocacy skills.
The Advisor will be an interlocutor with high-level government officials and donors, including head of missions. In this context, s/he will be expected to have the ability to work in a complex environment requiring maturity and strong liaison skills.
Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, tact and diplomacy.
Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiation skills.
Excellent networking skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in social sciences with a focus on international relations, political science, development studies or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in conflict prevention, including relevant field experience, especially in crisis or post-conflict settings, and in conflict sensitive programming.
Good programming experience, including good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, particularly in crisis and post-conflict settings
Substantive knowledge of UNDP/UN rules and regulations. Knowledge of the country/region is an advantage.

Language:

Full working knowledge of English, including excellent writing skills