UNDP Jobs - 48959- Policy Specialist

Policy Specialist

Location :

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

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

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is one of few African countries registering outstanding records of economic development and social progress. The country is supposed to be on-track to achieve the MDGs due to the strong, decade-long economic growth. Despite this stellar growth, more is needed to promote inclusive growth and human development. Ethiopia continues to play a key role in promoting conflict prevention and human security through continuous support that the country renders to regional and continental peace-building mechanisms. In Ethiopia it has worked with partners to invest in capacity to promote dialogue and a more pluralistic and inclusive democratic governance system; resolve recurrent ethnic and religious conflicts; strengthen institutional capacity to implement and monitor national development plans effectively; and fight corruption. As the country is preparing for the next general elections (scheduled for 2015) it is important that capacities of the UNCT, including the Resident Coordinator/ Resident Representative’s Office, as well as those of national institutions and civil society organizations involved in conflict prevention and resolution continue to be strengthened.

UNDP’s support related to this, in collaboration with stakeholders including the UNCT, has been agreed to focus on emerging areas in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding. This will contribute to the improvement of the National Conflict Prevention Architecture such as establishing Infrastructure for Peace/ National Peace Council; Capacity Enhancement; Conflict Early Warning System; Harmonization of peace with development interventions. The eventual consolidation of the programme should focus on putting in place sustainable mechanisms of addressing security sector management and reform; enhancing the capacity of media; and strengthening the capacity of the neighbouring countries of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia through regional coordination mechanisms such as IGAD and RECSA.

In line with the standard operating procedures of the Joint UNDP/DPA the Policy Specialist will regularly communicate with both UNDP and DPA.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Provide strategic and analytical support to the RC/RR in his/her relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership;
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 social cohesion, dialogue, and conflict prevention;
Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key national stakeholders, regional and international actors and development partners;
Strengthen capacity of UNDP and UNCT to undertake conflict analysis, mainstream conflict sensitivity in regular programming.

Under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator and in close collaboration with the country team, the Policy Specialist will:

Provide strategic and analytical support to the RC/RR in his/her relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership, including through:

Provide regular and timely analytical briefs to the RC/RR, UN Country Team and, through the RC/RR, to DPA and UNDP HQ, on political and security developments, both nation-wide and region specific and advise on programmatic options to the UN to address challenges and seize opportunities;
Monitor the political, security, and socio-economic situation with a view to provide regular updates on the developments in the country;
Provide technical support and liaise with relevant counterparts and existing partners in Government, in particular the Ministry of Federal Affairs and the House of Federation and civil society organisations;
Assist the RC/RR and the UNCT members (as requested) in engaging with Government, civil society, and the international community.

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 social cohesion, dialogue, and conflict prevention:

Provide strategic advice and analysis to inform conflict prevention programming and to strengthen national capacity for conflict prevention;
Provide continuous and timely advice and support to peace and development processes at the local level, particularly with regard to UNDP’s project on “Strengthening Local and National Capacities for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding”;
Support the establishment of a National Peace Council in Ethiopia, supported by parliamentary legislation, including through supporting the development of a strategic framework for the National Peace Council, bringing together relevant civil society actors as well as the media in an effort to promote culture of peace and dialogue;
Coordinate capacity building plans identified by UNDP’s project on “Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding”, particularly in the areas of collaborative capacity skills building, dialogue processes, and peace promotion activities, as well as conflict-related development analysis;
Lead the development of a manual on the role of customary institutions, particularly the role of traditional chiefs and religious institutions in mobilizing local communities for constructive change as well as serving as effective local capacities for mediation;
Support the development of a national guideline for the prevention and management of electoral disputes, recognizing the roles of different stakeholders in peace in the different phases of elections;
Support UNDP programming in areas related to conflict prevention, including initiatives related to security sector reform and governance.

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;
Coordinate design of engagement strategy with national and regional capacities for peace research and outreach to independent research and training institutes on issues pertinent to peace and development in Ethiopia;
Support relevant counterparts in managing electoral disputes and advancing efforts relating to prevention of election-related violence;
Support efforts to build a framework for engagement between relevant stakeholders (government, civil society, private sector, and the international community, including the UN) for linking local initiatives to national institutions, structures, and processes;
Maintain close liaison with relevant donors and other actors supporting the UN Country Teams, and specifically UNDP’s, conflict prevention work;
Support the UN Resident Coordinator in mobilizing resources for peace building and conflict prevention initiatives.

Strengthen capacity of UNDP and UNCT to undertake conflict analysis and mainstream conflict sensitivity in regular programming:

Support the design and implementation of strategies for identifying entry points for mainstreaming of and programming for 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;
Provide analytical and strategic support to UNCT.

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/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices;
Good understanding of the UN system.

Functional Competencies:

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;
Sound political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy advice;
Sound skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder processes and negotiation;
Proven facilitation, training, networking, coordination, team-building, consensus-building and organizational skills;
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;
In-depth knowledge of human development situation in Ethiopia & recent history & events.

Management and Leadership:

Strong team-building, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills. Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
Communication and advocacy skills;
Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks;
Ability to build strong relationships with clients and external actors;
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.

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 science disciplines.

Experience:

7 years of progressively responsible experience in conflict analysis, policy, strategy development, development and/or conflict prevention in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
Extensive experience in research and project development;
A proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior levels of government, United Nations and donors;
Sound knowledge of and extensive experience in Ethiopia and surround region, including in dialogue and conflict prevention initiatives, is an advantage.

Language:

Fluent in written and spoken English.