UNDP Jobs - 35318- Peace and Resilience Advisor

Peace and Resilience Advisor

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Feb-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year, with possibility of extension depending on funding availability

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

On the 15^th October 2012, the Government of Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Framework Agreement which puts both parties on the path to end nearly four decades of intermittent violent civil conflict. In anticipation of this political shift, a UN Convergence Strategy was put in place that stipulates a new way of doing business in Mindanao through providing a basis for joint and coherent interventions by the UN system as whole, focusing on facilitating a transition of the region from fragility to stability. It provides a single and system-wide strategic framework to enable the UN system to move beyond internal coordination and ad-hoc instances of inter-agency coordination to delivering against a comment set of objectives and anticipated outcomes. The strategy advocates for the UN to adopt a political economy approach to shaping its engagement with good analysis of both the conflict and political dynamics. Further to this, the strategy calls for a division of labor based on local demand and comparative advantage to respond of the respective agencies.

In this context, the Peace and Resilience Advisor will work under the Resident Coordinator and with the UNCT to support the operationalization of the UN Convergence Strategy and other relevant engagement on the peace building and transition process in Mindanao. S/he will report directly to the Resident Coordinator.

Due to the complex and politically sensitive nature of the post, the work of the Peace and Resilience Advisor will have a direct impact on the standing and reputation of the UNCT as a credible counterpart in the implementation of the peace process. Further to this, there will also be a direct impact on the UNCT and its partners and counterparts to promote a coordinated and well-planned engagement and interventions in Mindanao, strategically targeting issues of peace and development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategic guidance to the Resident Coordinator, based on contextual analysis of issues related to the UN’s engagement on the peace and development agenda in Mindanao:

Assist the UNCT in the operationalization of the UN Convergence Strategy for Mindanao;
Provide strategic context analysis on issues relating to peace and development to the Resident Coordinator to enable the wider UN system to effectively support the peace process in Mindanao and its different actors;
Identify and engage key stakeholders in discussions around the transition in Mindanao, ensuring a true inclusive process of all actors range in Mindanao;
Prepare policy advise and participate in peacebuilding and development efforts as directed by the RC;
Convene and facilitate conversations on critical issues, under the auspices of the RC, in order to reach consensus, as requested and appropriate, on aspects of the peace process;
Prepare technical and policy advisory briefs and inputs for the RC and UNCT on peace and development issues as required.

Identify further programming options for the UNCT in the context of Mindanao, including development of proposals and identification of funding option:

On the basis of the implementation of the UN Convergence Strategy, provide substantive guidance to the RC and UNCT for identifying further entry points to peacebuilding and developing appropriate strategic responses;
Establish and maintain close links with relevant donors in the country and outside of it and advise the RC on opportunities that can be availed for mobilizing resources for peacebuilding in Mindanao;
Support the operationalization of joint UNCT programming initiatives for Mindanao, actively supporting the actions of UN Coordination in the region;
Manage the implementation of the PBF-funded joint UN project for Mindanao.

Under the RC, support the Manila-based coordination efforts on the UNCT’s engagement in Mindanao:

Through regular coordination, ensure that relevant linkages are made between programming in Mindanao and strategic Manila-based engagement with the UNCT, government and donors.

Performs other functions that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning

Sound knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of post-conflict, peace-building, good governance, human rights and development-related issues;
Good knowledge of the country and region of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions, and their relation to the main engines of conflict;
Ability to advocate and provide timely policy advice;
Ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems;
Ability to work under extreme pressure in a highly stressful environment.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Strong analytical capacity, including the ability to analyze and articulate conflict management, peace-building, recovery and development dimensions and related issues that require a coordinated UN response
Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to peace-building, recovery and development issues and sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system;
Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field.

Management and Leadership:

Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.
Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.
Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations.
Very strong leadership capacities to guide a multi-cultural team in difficult circumstances

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree (Masters Degree) preferably in political or social science, international studies, public administration, economics; or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in political / conflict analysis, conflict/crisis prevention and management, peace-building, recovery and development, and related areas.
Previous work experience in UN system is essential. Work experience in the region is preferred.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English is essential.

Note: Applicants are requested to submit the completed P.11 form with their application.