Background

Comoros gained its independence in 1975 and have since experienced only very short periods of political stability. The country is gradually emerging from a long separatist crisis that nearly undermined the very existence of the nation in the late 90s. This has led to a process of national reconciliation through a new institutional configuration devoting substantial autonomy to the islands. The democratization of the country continued with the holding of various free and transparent elections. Similarly, the process establishing democratic institutions was completed with the recent establishment of the Supreme Court (2012).

The persistence of conflict and the presence of vulnerability factors, compounded by political and social tensions, have led the United Nations Country Team in coordination with national authorities to explore ways to consolidate sustainable basis for dialogue intra / inter Comoros, with the entry point of the unifying values ??of development based on social cohesion, the development of national capacities and positioning Comoros regional specificities. In addition, it is also important to emphasize the need to strengthen the foundations of peace by giving prominence to human rights, build the populations resilience capacities to face the impacts of climate hazards and their ability to maintain their cultural foundations, social networking and environmental management skills in response to the necessary changes to better meet the challenges of development.

On the economic front, the Comoros in 2012 reached the completion point under the Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC). The achievement of this objective should open the path for the country to ensure significant reduction of multilateral debt under the relief Initiative (MDRI). On the social front, the country’s weak growth will not allow to curb unemployment in a near future, which affects 14.3% of the population and particularly for young people (44.5% unemployed) representing more than 60% of the estimated country’s population (close to 700 000 inhabitants).The Secretary-General declared Comoros eligible to receive PBF funding on 25 June 2008, and subsequently received a PBF funding allocation of US$9.4 million to support its peace building Priority Plan in the areas of security, governance and social cohesion, revitalization of the economy and development of the national peace building capacity. Following an evaluation of the first peace building support, PBSO approved further PBF support to help consolidate earlier progress with an additional allocation of US$2.5 million approved in July 2013. The second Priority Plan facilitates the successful completion of activities in the areas of: women in peace building; security sector reforms and civic education and at risk- youth skills development. In addition, the Plan facilitates for targeted support to build the peace building capacity of the Government. The Government and the UN in Comoros have established a high-level Joint Steering Committee to oversee the approval and implementation of projects under the second PBF Priority Plan. The capacity building initiative will have the services of an international Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) to be funded on a cost-sharing basis between PBF and BCPR.

The United Nations System (UNS) in Comoros supports the national authorities in their efforts to strengthen the foundations of peace and dialogue with all stakeholders at the central level and islands on the major challenges facing the country. All projects in this second phase will contribute to the application of international conventions signed / ratified by the Government and will support national commitment ensuring greater understanding and dissemination of human rights.

The Peace and Development Advisor will guide and support the Country Team SNU and all national counterparts throughout the process of the PBF second phase. All resident and non-resident agencies operating Comoros will benefit from the PDA guidance to enhance coordination of national programs and funding resources and to ensure greater coherence of joint projects/actions among the UN. This second phase will be embedded in the ongoing development of the country’s next strategy of accelerated growth and sustainable development and the UN programming process for 2015 to 2019.

Duties and Responsibilities

Political, security and socio-economic situation analysis

• Monitor the political, security and socio-economic situation with a view to provide regular updates and analysis on the developments in the Comoros and their direct and indirect impact on ongoing UN programmes and positions, for the Resident Coordinator;
• Develop/ update conflict analysis, analyzing the drivers, dynamics, trends, as well as entry points available for the UNCT;
• Provide regular conflict and political analysis to the Resident Coordinator and share with DPA and UNDP focal points, as per the reporting arrangements described in the Standard Operating Procedures of the Joint UNDP/DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention;
• Provide support to the UN Resident Coordinator in his relations with government officials and in his efforts to support the government in policy development and capacity building Establish and strengthen the UNCT strategic partnerships with key national stakeholders, regional and international actors and development partners Lead the process of developing the Conflict Prevention Strategy with the UN agencies and ensure that future UNCT programming is based on  it;
• Identify areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders, and support to RC/RR in the preparation of the UN response to government requests, related to confidence building political and social dialogue, social cohesion, development of an infrastructure of peace, national social cohesion, and peaceful elections and transition of power   Identify new and develop the existing entry points for conflict prevention in the Comoros-and provide advice to the UNCT in conflict sensitive programming;
• Provide advisory support to the implementation of PBF projects, including through the provision of technical support to the Joint Steering Committee;
• Coordinate the regular reporting, in line with PBF guidelines, to the joint steering committee and provide technical and administrative support to the Joint Steering Committee on PBF and peace building issues and matters
• Support the establishment of a UNCT-wide working group on peace building and conflict prevention. Perform other duties as requested by the RC.

Strategic partnerships development and resources mobilization:

• Provide strategic advice in a timely manner to RR / RC , UNCT and the Government in all matters related to conflict prevention, the promotion of national reconciliation, national solidarity and social and national cohesion in the Union of the Comoros;
• Contribute to the analysis and monitoring of the implementation of international conventions relating to peace and development in order to identify opportunities for action for SNU Comoros, including Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security tools;
• Support technical preparation and implementation of projects, including the identification of sources of financing and fundraising;
• Coordinate and oversee Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and regular results and performance reporting, in line with PBF guidelines, in close collaboration with recipient UN organizations of the PBF . Promote tools for integrating the results of the work of various projects in PBF policies, strategies and program, including the inclusion of gender and human rights dimension in peace building and conflict prevention programs;
• Support the establishment of a UNCT-wide working group on peace building and conflict prevention to share information pertaining to peace building and conflict prevention team more broadly in-country (beyond PBF activities);
• Strengthening national capacity for dialogue on social cohesion, resilience, promotion of human rights in the Union of Comoros, and support the efforts of United Nations support to inter-Comorian national dialogue for the consolidation of peace.Strengthen efforts of the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team in supporting the development of national capacity to undertake and advance peace building and conflict prevention activities, especially on dialogue for social cohesion, resilience, promotion of human rights in the Union of Comoros;
• Develop partnerships with other international organizations working in the field of social cohesion and peace in the Comoros and in the region;
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of joint initiatives within the United Nations system to promote social cohesion and peace, gender and human rights in the 2015-2019 programming;
• Strengthen and promote collaboration between the Country Office and Headquarters (UNDP-RBA, UNDP-BCPR, DPA, PBSO);
• In collaboration with other partners, to contribute to the development of proposals for raising funds to support the implementation of national priorities for social cohesion and peace and enrolling in part of the strategy of accelerated growth and sustainable development in the Comoros for 2015-2019;
• Participate in knowledge management and capacity building;
• Strengthen the capacity and knowledge of M&E systems and performance results for peace building and conflict prevention in terms of management as requested by UNDG (One A / SOP 2013) and PBF Performance Management Plan.Undertake monitoring and evaluation activities to identify best practices on peace building and conflict prevention for wider  dissemination and sharing with other peace building partners within and outside the Comoros;Facilitate learning and networking, and coordinate knowledge sharing on social cohesion and peace in a multi-sectorial approach;
• Identify and develop new products, processes and tools for social cohesion, resilience and peace building to better utilize the comparative advantages of UN agencies in the Union of Comoros;
• Ensure the performance of any other task or duty that may be assigned by the RR / RC;
• Demonstrate and capture the impact of peace building and conflict prevention activities, including through the development of lessons learned and in coordination with PBSO’s Monitoring and Evaluation team as well as relevant colleagues from UNDP and DPA;
• The incumbent will need to have flexibility in his/her work, which may also include: Assignments outside the Duty Station: possible field visits, if deemed necessary. Any other task as required.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN system;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly, without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Communication and interpersonal skills

• Communicates effectively, orally and in writing, with staff at all levels of the UN, government officials and civil society the diplomatic corps, donors and civil society;
• Has proven networking ability;
• Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
• Is culturally sensitive and demonstrates appreciation for different cultures and practices;

Professional capacity:

• Excellent analytical skills;
• Able to exercise sound judgement;
• Able to work in a team, ready to take on a wide range of tasks;
• Self-motivated and able to recommend options for resolution of issues;
• Able to handle confidential and sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner, and applies protocol appropriately;
• Demonstrates strong coordination and facilitation skills;
• Results oriented, flexible and possesses excellent problem solving skills.

Technical skills:

• Ability to work in a team and, if necessary, to lead teams working on specific issues and / or multi-sectorial;
• Ability to identify and develop practical approaches to strengthening the capacity of public institutions, civil society and the private sector;
• Excellent writing skills and oral communication skills in French and English;
• Communication skills and ability to produce advisory reports and other high quality products;
• Ability to interact with senior government officials and a credible influence with key national policy makers, with UN agencies and with other international development agencies;
• Highly geared towards achieving results actions;
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills and the provision of advice;
• Demonstrate experience in translating policy principles into operational and effective measures in the areas of social cohesion, resilience and peace building.

Leadership:

• Ability to take the initiative to go to complex to achieve the stated outcomes process, carry out the work at different levels and manage different initiatives simultaneously (personal organization and multitasking);
• Strong interpersonal skills, good communication and commitment to promoting skills;
• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback.

Knowledge Management:

• Proactive sharing of knowledge and experience;
• Has a clear intellectual interest in the development process of national reconciliation and social cohesion.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree in conflict prevention, social sciences with focus on international relations, political science, inter-group processes, peace-building, facilitating of dialogue processes or related fields.  

 Experience:

• At least 7 years experience at national and/or international levels in advisory and analytical positions;
• Extensive experience coordinating activities in social cohesion, peacebuilding, conflict resolution and management, consensus-building, dialogue processes, collaborative decision-making and leadership;
• Excellent conflict analysis and reporting skills, experience in bilateral and/or multilateral negotiations;
• Practical experience in capacity-building, negotiation, facilitation and training skills, leadership development, and strategy development;
• Strong experience in conflict sensitive programming;
• Previous experience in planning and operationalizing development programming in the field;
• Prior experience in facilitation and/or coaching in negotiation processes and dialogue activities; 
• Knowledge of the programming of the United Nations (One UN), particularly in the context of crisis and post-crisis Knowledge of M&E systems, and results and performance-based management and reporting.Experience in special development situations in Africa would be an asset, as well as previous experience working in the Union of Comoros.

Language:

• Fluency in  French and English is required.

Note:
The PDA contract and performance will be reviewed on an annual basis by the RC in close collaboration with JSC;