Background
Those who previously applied need not apply again
Libya is currently emerging from a political transition after the end of 40 years of autocratic rule by Muammar Qaddafi’s regime. In this context, the country is continuing to grapple with a very high level of political uncertainty, lack of functioning institutions and a very nascent democratic political culture, as well as intra and inter-tribal issues and local level conflicts involving armed groups and militia. Despite the end of official hostilities, the situation in the country remains volatile. Nearly two years into the transition, state’s security forces still do not exercise control over the majority of Libyan territory and the revolutionary brigades, resulting in a dangerous vacuum, rising crime and instability.
At the same time, following the successful elections of the General National Congress in July 2012, elections for the Constitutional Drafting Assembly are due in late 2013 and will pave the way for discussions on the new constitution. A National Dialogue process was launched by the Prime Minister in August 2013 in order to tackle a range of long-standing issues and to reduce instability in the country. Proposed reforms to local level governance (including the forthcoming local elections) offer entry-points for strengthening democratic governance at the grassroots. Likewise, efforts to reform state administrative and security institutions provide a chance to rebuild state institutions which serve the people.
The new CPD is anchored on five major pillars:
- (1) Active participation of citizen in the democratic transition of their nation;
- (2) Central and local government authorities strengthened to provide better public services to citizen;
- (3) Libya to successfully manage its transition to a state founded on the rule of law;
- (4) livelihood opportunities and economic recovery for durable social reintegration, peace and stability; and
- (5) national environment management systems addressing desertification, biodiversity conservation, water management, pollution and climate change strengthened.
Duties and Responsibilities
Functions / Key Results Expected
Within the existing UN operating frameworks in Libya, UNDP is committed to providing conflict sensitive programming support to Libyan counterparts in their efforts to develop and implement their own peace building and development priorities. To this end, UNDP is now seeking to recruit a Peace Building Advisor, who can provide direct advisory and technical support to the UNDP Country Office on entry-points and strategies for conflict-sensitive engagement, as well advise existing Project teams – in particular working within on CPD Pillar 1 on political governance – on approaches to supporting activities with CSOs and local and national government partners which contribute to peace building.
Summary of key functions:
- Provide strategic and analytical support to the Country Office in the context of UNDP’s Policy Analysis and Strategy Forum;
- Support the Country Office in the preparation of UNDP’s response to national requests related to social cohesion, democratic reform, conflict prevention, peace building, or other related areas of work;
- Strengthen the capacity of UNDP to undertake conflict analysis, mainstream conflict sensitivity support to dialogue initiatives in regular programming;
- Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key national stakeholders, regional and international actors and development partners.
Under the overall Guidance of the Country Director and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the Advisor will:
Provide strategic and analytical support to the Country Office on conflict prevention and peace building in the context of UNDP’s Policy Analysis and Strategy forum, including through:
- Provide analysis on conflict dynamics, with a view to identifying appropriate entry points for conflict prevention and recommending appropriate strategic responses;
- Work with the Programme and other thematic Advisors to identify opportunities to work with national and international stakeholders and initiatives to promote a common approach towards supporting social cohesion, conflict prevention, and peace building efforts;
- Assess current UNDP programming, and propose ways to build on previous achievements and lessons learned in conflict prevention and peace building;
- Undertake regular assessments of the situation in Libya, analyzing political, social and economic events at the local and national levels, and their impact on ongoing UNDP’s substantive engagement including recommendations for risk management;
- Working in close collaboration with UNDP’s Programme section, support the design and implementation of UNDP’s initiatives related to social cohesion, democratic reform, conflict prevention, and peace building;
- Provide advisory and technical support to UNDP’s ongoing initiatives, in particular in the area of political governance (e.g. Support for Civic Education in Libya’s Transition Project, Constitutional Dialogue Project), to strengthen the integration of relevant dialogue and confidence building measures;
- Work with existing initiatives to develop and support implementation of peace-promoting activities such as: facilitating skills building with CSOs and other local actors for negotiation and mediation; support capacities of networks of dialogue facilitators within the community; strengthen women’s initiatives and groups in engaging in democratic transition activities;
- Undertake necessary activities within UNDP to build/strengthen/apply capacities to prevent crisis and mainstream conflict prevention interventions throughout UNDP’s work, including as it relates to local governance and recovery;
- Identify and engage civil society actors in the peace, development and governance agenda supported by UNDP.
Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key national, regional and international actors and development partners:
- Establish and maintain networks and strategic partnerships for peace building related strategies and initiatives;
- Liaise closely with UNSMIL and key national, regional, and local stakeholders from Government and civil society to identify entry points and strengthen strategic partnerships;
- Maintain close liaison with relevant UNDP donors and other actors supporting UNDP’s peace building efforts;
- Support the UNDP Country Office in mobilizing resources for peace building and conflict prevention initiatives.
Strengthen the capacity of UNDP to undertake conflict analysis and mainstream conflict sensitivity support to dialogue initiatives in regular programming:
- Define/implement a strategy for identifying entry points for mainstreaming of conflict prevention and conflict sensitivity within UNDP;
- Conduct training for UNDP staff and key national partners on conflict analysis, conflict prevention, dialogue and/or conflict-sensitive development.
Impact of Results
- Enhanced capacity within UNDP to undertake and apply socio-political analysis to program design and implementation;
- Expanded partnership with national counterparts in government, civil society, academia, and think-tanks/ research institutions;
- Enhanced strategic capacity of UNDP to contribute effectively to the prevention of conflict and the sustained development and application of national capacities for conflict prevention;
- Strengthened capacities for dialogue, social cohesion conflict prevention, confidence building.
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;
- Good understanding of the UN system;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Strong political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy advice;
- Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder processes and negotiation;
- Excellent analytical skills. Experience and specialist knowledge in building national capacities in good governance and building national reconciliation;
- Proven high-level facilitation, training, networking, coordination, team-building, consensus-building and organizational skills;
- Possesses specialist knowledge in the area of conflict prevention, social cohesion, dialogue and governance reform or related areas, as well as in-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with internal and external parties in a multi-cultural environment;
- Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
- Proven ability to incorporate into his/her work relevant international practices.
Management Competencies:
- Excellent team-building, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills. Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
- Very strong leadership capacities to guide dialogue activities among mixed groups;
- Strong communication and advocacy skills;
- Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle and delegate multiple tasks;
- Ability to build strong relationships with clients and external actors;
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations.
Behavioral Competencies:
- Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic and sound judgment;
- Builds strong relationships with partners, focusing on impact and results;
- Demonstrates creativity, openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Possesses positive and constructive attitudes to work;
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in political science, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of senior level experience in policy advice, strategy development, conflict prevention in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
- A proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior levels of government, United Nations, and donors;
- Proven experience in dialogue, conflict prevention and civil society initiatives.
- Experience working within a UN agency and experience in the Arab States region would be a major asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluent written and spoken English, and Arabic.