UNDP Jobs - 32004- Programme Specialist (Conflict Prevention)

Programme Specialist (Conflict Prevention)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-3

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

The Conflict Prevention and Recovery Team (CPRT) has primary responsibility for practice development in the area of conflict prevention and recovery. The goal of the CPRT is to provide support to UNDP country offices and UN Country Teams in their efforts to strengthen national capacities for conflict prevention, conflict management, peace-building and related recovery programmes, assessments and planning. The team provides high quality technical support to UNDP country offices for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation conflict prevention and recovery programmatic activities.

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader (Conflict Prevention Group), the Programme Specialist will work closely with other members of the unit in providing high-quality technical assistance for the development of conflict prevention initiatives at the country level, and for the development of “best practices” and knowledge products to aid this work. Where appropriate, s/he will liaise and coordinate, under the overall direction of the Team Leader (CPG), with regional bureaux of UNDP, with external partners such as DPA and DESA, and with the two inter-agency mechanisms for conflict prevention hosted by UNDP, i.e. the Framework Team and the Joint UNDP-DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Provides high-quality policy advice and technical programmatic support to UNDP country offices
Supports the development of knowledge products
Supports the coordination and implementation of the Joint UNDP-DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention
Supports strategic planning and implementation of activities of the UN Inter-Agency Framework Team
Supports and facilitates capacity-building of member states for managing conflicts and sustaining peace

Provides high-quality policy advice and technical/programmatic support to UNDP country offices, focusing on achievement of the following results:

High-quality policy advice and technical/programmatic support for the development of conflict prevention and peace building programmes
Effective technical assistance provided for the implementation of conflict prevention initiatives by UNDP country offices

Supports the development of knowledge products, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of knowledge products (tools, methodologies, reports) which help further position of UNDP in the areas of conflict prevention
Effective communication to key partners, including donors and country offices of UNDP methods and approaches to conflict prevention

Supports the coordination and implementation of the joint UNDP-DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provision of policy advice, programmatic guidance and donor outreach
Increased coordination and collaboration with the UN Department of Political Affairs, the UN system’s focal point for conflict prevention, in the context of development and implementation of conflict prevention initiatives

Supports strategic planning and implementation of activities of the UN Inter-agency Framework Team on Coordination for Preventive Action, focusing on achievement of the following results:

More effective inter-agency assistance provided to RC/RRs in development and implementation of conflict prevention initiatives
Stronger UNDP role and position with regard to conflict prevention in the wider UN system

Supports and facilitates capacity building by member states for managing conflicts and sustaining peace, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Effective support to RC/RRs in engaging member states to build their own capacities for addressing emerging tensions before they lead to violence

Impact of Results

The key results have a positive impact on the effective implementation of conflict prevention initiatives which, with the political and technical support of DPA and other UN system partners, will allow UNDP’s partner countries to preemptively address factors that might lead to greater instability and therefore disrupt progress towards the achievement of the MDGs. In doing so, it will also position UNDP as a reliable long-term partner for developing countries.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

BUILDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Identifying and building partnerships

Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments
Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved

PROMOTING ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

JOB KNOWLEDGE/ TECHNICAL EXPERTISE:

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of crisis prevention and recovery and conflict prevention issues, as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of crisis prevention and recovery and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

CLIENT ORIENTATION

Contributing to positive outcomes for the clients

Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services

Core Competencies:

Ethics & Values: Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity

Is familiar with and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants, ethics and UN/UNDP values

Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment

Understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients

Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring: Self-development, initiative-taking

Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action

Working in Teams: Acting as a team player and facilitating team work

Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity

Communicating Information and Ideas: Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively

Uses tact and sensitivity when delivering sensitive information or resolving delicate issues

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control

Fosters a positive outlook and maintains focus during period of stress and heavy work load, inspiring and guiding others towards goal achievement

Conflict Management/Negotiating & Resolving Disagreements: Managing conflict

Remains calm, composed and patient, regardless of his/her own state of mind in the face of conflict

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning: Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others

Actively seeks learning opportunities, adopting best practices created by others

Appropriate and Transparent Decision-making: Informed and transparent decision making

Makes decisions within his/her own span of control, recognizes issues requiring more advanced judgment and refers them to the appropriate level

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in one of the following, or related, fields: conflict resolution, development studies, political science or international relations

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant work experience with the UN and/or other international development organization in development, democratic governance, conflict prevention, conflict resolution and/or peace building, including relevant field experience in conflict and post-crisis settings

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required; Fluency in Spanish is strongly desirable.