UNDP Jobs - 48290- Peace and Development Specialist

Peace and Development Specialist

Location :

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

13-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year

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

Between 1988 and 1999, Bougainville, then North Solomon’s Province and now an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea (PNG), suffered a violent conflict that took the lives of thousands of people and displaced approximately 70,000. The conflict originated from tensions with regards to the management of the Panguna mine that eventually evolved into a struggle for autonomy and even independence. In the late 1990s a series of negotiations resulted in the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) (2001). According to the BPA, and following the establishment of an Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) in 2005, a referendum on the political status of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARB) is scheduled to take place between 2015 and 2020, following the achievement of two conditions: the completion of weapons disposal and good governance.

With only a few years left to ensure that the conditions for referendum are met, the ABG and the PNG Government are increasing their efforts to undertake the preparatory steps. However, the relationship between the ABG and the PNG Government is challenging, and the level of joint dialogue and collaboration is weak. This has significantly affected progress in the implementation of the peace agreement and preparations for the referendum. Within this context and the importance to prevent the potential resurgence of tensions within Bougainville and between the ABG and the PNG Government, it is a UN priority to strengthen its support to this process.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the RC, the Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) will provide peace and development support to the UN Country Team (UNCT), including analytical, technical and strategic advice and guidance. He/she will advise the RC/UNCT on the developments related to the peace process, in both PNG and Bougainville and will identify priorities, needs and gaps that can be effectively addressed by the RC, UNCT and DPA, as well as other relevant UN funds, programmes, agencies and departments. The incumbent will liaise closely with UNCT colleagues in country, including the UNDP Chief Technical Advisor for the Bougainville programme based in Buka, Bougainville. Further, s/he will liaise with DPA and UNDP at regional and headquarters level, as well as relevant Government institutions, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. The purpose of these engagements will be to ensure that coordination is effective and that activities are undertaken in a conflict-sensitive manner. In line with the standard operating procedures of the Joint UNDP/DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention, the PDA will regularly communicate with both UNDP and DPA.

Functions / Key Results Expected

For this assignment the PDA will focus mainly – but not exclusively - on matters related to the ARB and will work in support of the RC’s efforts to assist the ABG and PNG Government’s peacebuilding and conflict resolution activities, specifically regarding the implementation of the peace agreement and the preparations for the referendum on Bougainville’s future political status:

Provide strategic and analytical support to the RC in his/her relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider international community (including the establishment and strengthening of key partnerships for the implementation of programmes and activities);
Identify areas of engagement with ABG and national stakeholders, and support the RC in providing a UN System-wide response to ABG and PNG Government requests aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation;
Support the ABG and national Government’s efforts to enhance mutual dialogue, build trust and strengthen collaboration on the implementation of the peace agreement, as well as facilitate communication and information exchange between them;
Provide regular analyses on socio-economic and political developments and conflict dynamics;
Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing to develop UNCT, ABG and PNG Government capacities for peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Support to peacebuilding

In close collaboration with the UNDP Chief Technical Advisor based in Bougainville, provide overall support and advice to the relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the Peacebuilding Fund process in Bougainville.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the RC and in close collaboration with the country team and the UNDP Chief Technical Advisor based in Bougainville, the PDA will:

Provide strategic and analytical support to the RC in his/her relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider international community (including the establishment and strengthening of key partnerships for the implementation of programmes and activities):

Provide substantive leadership for initiatives on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, including: designing and convening high-level dialogue processes; assisting conflict resolution activities; building skills for negotiation and mediation for leadership at the regional and national level, and for the relevant branches of government as deemed necessary; establishing and extending the capacities of networks of mediators and facilitators at the national and local levels; strengthen women’s initiatives and groups in peace processes; and undertaking confidence-building measures;
Engage proactively with high-level stakeholders and participate, on behalf of the RC, in relevant national fora, representing the UN system where necessary;
Support the RC in the establishment and strengthening of key networks and partnerships for the implementation of peacebuilding and conflict resolution activities in support of ABG and National Government efforts;
Engage with other national and international institutions and initiatives in order to promote a common approach towards supporting social cohesion, governance, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and other relevant efforts;
Support the RC in mobilizing resources for peacebuilding and conflict prevention initiatives;
Coordinate regularly and closely with relevant focal points at UNDP and DPA and other key partners.

Identify areas of engagement with ABG and national stakeholders, and support the RC in providing a UN System-wide response to ABG and PNG Government requests aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation:

Lead, support and/or facilitate ABG and national Government initiatives to enhance dialogue, build mutual trust, increase information sharing and strengthen communication;
Facilitate the establishment of an appropriate environment for stakeholders to meet and discuss issues concerning the relationship between the ABG and the PNG Government, including the implementation of the Bougainville peace process;
Liaise closely with key Bougainville and national stakeholders from Government and civil society and key international actors to identify entry points, foster dialogue and strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships on conflict prevention, reconciliation and confidence-building initiatives;.

Provide regular analyses on socio-economic and political developments and conflict dynamics:

On a monthly basis provide analytical reports to the RC and UNCT (and through these, to UNDP, DPA and PBSO in New York) on political developments and related dynamics, with a view to identifying needs, gaps and recommendation for conflict prevention;
Provide regular analysis to RC/RR and UNCT (and through these, to UNDP, DPA and PBSO in New York) on the progress on the implementation of the peace process and preparations for the referendum on Bougainville’s future political status with a view to recommending appropriate responses for the UN system;
Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing to develop UNCT, ABG and PNG Government capacities for peacebuilding and conflict resolution;
Define/implement a strategy for identifying entry points for mainstreaming of conflict prevention and conflict sensitivity in the UNCT, including within the framework of common country planning processes (UNDAF, CPD, etc);
Conduct training for UN Country Team staff and key national partners on conflict analysis, conflict prevention and/or conflict-sensitive development;
Organize, develop, and implement initiatives to strengthen confidence in local development capacities, including through the promotion of dialogue capacities for conflict resolution at the Bougainville and national levels.

Provide overall support and advice to the relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the Peacebuilding Fund process in Bougainville:

Provide technical advice and quality assurance of all project documents submitted to the PBF Joint Steering Committee for approval;
Provide technical advice and quality assurance on the annual Joint Steering Committee report against the Peacebuilding Priority Plan;
Collaborate with and provide technical support, as required, to the PBF Secretariat, PBF Technical Committee and Joint Steering Committee with regards to peacebuilding issues.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Good knowledge of UN rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices;
Good understanding of the UN system;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

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;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
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;
Possesses experience in processes of elections/referenda;
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;
Familiarity with the human development situation in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea and recent history/events/transitions.
Ability to advise and oversee formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and programmes;
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:

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:

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 7 years of senior level experience in conflict analysis, policy, and strategy development, development and/or conflict prevention in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
Extensive experience in research and project development;
Experience in electoral (referendum) processes;
A proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior levels of government, United Nations, and donors;
Knowledge of and experience in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, including in dialogue and conflict prevention initiatives, is an advantage.

Language:

Full working knowledge of English, including excellent drafting and presentation skills.