Background
On March 3rd, 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the League of Arab States (LAS) and the European Union (EU) to enhance cooperation in the field of early warning and crisis response. The purpose was to enhance the existing capacities of LAS to respond to political, social, cultural, economic and environmental events with a view to promoting peace and stability. Accordingly, both Parties committed to the goal of encouraging a more structured policy dialogue which would subsequently include other international and regional organizations as well as non-State actors in the Arab region.
A two year project was signed in November 2010, under the Title: “Strengthening Crisis Response Capacities of the League of Arab States”. The stated goal of the project was to: “Strengthen the capacities of the Secretariat General of the LAS to respond to political, social, economic and environmental crises, through a joint capacity development programme”.
The project was officially launched during the inauguration of the Crisis Department on November 2012 by the League of Arab States SG and the EU HRVP.
The project was designed to strengthen the risk analysis, early warning, and crisis response capacities of LAS to potential and/or actual environmental, economic and socio-political shocks in the Arab States. The main purpose is to strengthen resilience; prevent, contain and/or reduce losses in lives and livelihoods; and sustainable human development. It aims to enable national and regional decision makers to organize timely response at political, diplomatic, economic and operational levels to impending or actual crisis situations.
The LAS Crisis Department was equipped with sophisticated technology and software to enable it to generate daily and weekly intelligence briefings based on reputable sources such as Oxford Analytical acquired through the project. Indeed, the Crisis Department provided a number of products, including ‘Analytical reports’, ‘Flash reports’, ‘News briefs’, etc.; on early warning, situation monitoring and information analysis. Additionally, there was follow-up on critical events of interest to LAS decision makers, such as national elections. In light of the regional context, the mechanism of gathering and analyzing data and producing updated information is considered a progressive shift in managing rapid developments.
LAS provided a series of trainings to its officials as well as those of member States involved in early warning and crisis management. Workshops were also organized with relevant entities in LAS and regional and international organizations, laying the foundation for a network of focal points in preparation for the institution of a pan-Arab crisis response mechanism. Strengthening analytical reporting within LAS would enhance its ability to coordinate with regional and international bodies concerned with disaster risk reduction and crisis management.
This work requires deepening and expansion in the next phase of the project that would aim to consolidate, deepen and further institutionalize the early warning and crisis management capacities established within LAS and Member States.
Within this context, UNDP-RBAS is seeking consultancy services to develop an approach for regional consultations that would guide the formulation of the full project document and lead to the launch of the next phase of this project.
Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible of leading the consultation and project formulation process under the supervision of the UNDP-RBAS Chief of Regional Programme Division in New York.
S/He will:
- Develop a practical methodology and approach in formulating the next phase of the “Strengthening Crisis Response Capacities of the League of Arab States”;
- Undertake a desk review and analysis including through review of available literature and meetings with stakeholders at regional and national levels. The analysis will identify crisis risks and identify specific regional challenges and country contexts that need adaptation. Based on an agreed methodology and approach, the analysis will identify capacities for peace and factors of conflict, stakeholders, causes, and implications for the UNDP;
- Provide a common program framework for leading consultations with key stakeholders to guide the project formulation. These consultations with partners would help validate the analysis, and include opportunities to further elaborate on conflict sensitive programming in the scope of the upcoming regional programming, including the identification of programmes as well as suggestions for the implementation process;
- Provide a prodoc/program document based on the analysis to support a conflict-sensitive approach to incorporate into the regional programming;
- Hold a debriefing session(s) presenting the findings of the assessment and present strategic entry points for potential further programming.
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;
- Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
Functional Competencies:
- Excellent analytical and writing skills, including political/conflict analysis skills;
- Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in the following areas: conflict risks assessment and management, crisis response and networks, multi-stakeholder dialogue processes, mediation, negotiation and dispute resolution;
- A high degree of political and cross-cultural sensitivity;
- Understanding of the political, social and cultural background of the Arab region is greatly desirable;
- Good knowledge/understanding of UN rules, regulations, policies, procedures and practices;
- Good understanding of UN programming modalities, particularly in crisis and post-conflict settings;
- Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment;
- Excellent team-building, diplomatic and interpersonal skills;
- Able to establish trustful relationships with governments, donors, non-government and international development organizations;
- Resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgment;
- Strong communication and advocacy skills, in particular ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a wide range of actors, within the UN system, with Government officials, traditional structures, donors and civil society;
- Ability to work in a complex environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors;
- Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
- Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiation skills, especially resource management systems;
- Excellent networking skills;
- Excellent computer skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree in social sciences with a focus on peace and conflict studies, international relations, political science, development studies or a related field.
Experience:
- A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing local level and/or national level conflict analysis mechanisms and early warning programs related to conflict affected environments;
- Extensive experience in strategy and programme development, particularly on crisis response;
- A minimum of 10 years of experience, 5 years of which should be in conflict prevention and crisis response, preferably with regional organizations and multiple countries;
- Experience in enhancing women’s participation in conflict analysis processes is also highly desirable;
- In-depth experience working in conflict environments;
- Prior Experience with UN agencies.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English. Arabic will be an asset.
Kindly refer to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and all related Annexes by visiting the below link:
Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.