UNDP Jobs - 49667- Technical Specialist (Early Recovery & Community R

Technical Specialist (Early Recovery & Community Resilience)

Location :

Goma, CONGO, DEM. REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English French

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

Eastern DRC remains a fragile zone and, in spite of progress made after the recent military defeat of the M23, the willingness of several armed groups to surrender their arms, this part of the country is still confronted with a number of key challenges. The North and South Kivu populations, but also the surrounding provinces (notably Maniema, North-Katanga and Ituri) are still suffering from the consequences of violence that resulted from displacements of people fearing the violence. According to OCHA figures, by 30th September 2013, the highest concentration of IDPs was located in the North- and South-Kivu with respectively 1.032.958 and 591.627 persons.

This situation requires an emergency relief response together with a more long-term recovery perspective, and it implies the need to start initiatives with the view to stabilising communities, providing economic alternatives, reconciliation and preventing a relapse into conflict and violence. More short term humanitarian interventions should be combined with income generation and livelihoods recovery programs to ensure impact in terms of (i) sustained stability and preventing a relapse into conflict in more stable areas and/or (ii) of contributing to peace-building efforts and stability in currently unstable areas. This will be achieved through an Early Recovery/Community Resilience (ER/CR) approach, in which income generation and livelihoods recovery should be implemented with a strong social cohesion lens and used as an entry point to promote inter-community dialogue.

For better sustainability and ownership of the community resilience process by national structures,
(associations, especially women and public structures, female company) the decentralised authorities have to be involved as much as possible in order to increase state authority and to strengthen the capacities of national actors and structures.

The objective of building resilience in the context prevailing in eastern DRC is to strengthen the capacity of individuals, communities and local institutions to anticipate, recover and prevent local and intercommunity conflicts, while creating perspectives for longer term development., and takes into account the needs of marginalized groups including women.

In this context, the UNDP programme is at a crossroads in the DRC due to a number of key initiatives that are currently underway. This includes the Peace and Security Consolidation Framework (PSCF), the Busan New Deal on Fragile States, the implementation of the revised International Strategy for Security and Stabilisation (ISSSS), etc. Beyond these more strategic initiatives are the many more specific programmes that relate to community resilience, access to justice, conflict prevention, local governance and small arms and light weapons reduction, that will ultimately be framed and influenced by these strategies that will have implications and both national and provincial levels.

In view of the high demands posed on UNDP in the DRC in critical programming areas, the Country Office needs to expand its presence throughout the country, especially in areas where post conflict transitional recovery, coordination and action are a priority. In addition, given the increased concentration of MONUSCO capacities in the East, and its possible retreat (sooner or later), it is important to scale up UNDP presence in the East in light of opportunities presented by the revision of the International Support Strategy for Security and Stabilisation (ISSSS) and the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework (PSCF).

The ER/CR approach will be a strategic flagship for UNDP support to consolidate an overarching approach, which will allow different interventions to build on and reinforce each other as the situation changes from humanitarian to stabilisation and development.

In this framework UNDP intends to recruit a Early Recovery/Community Resilience Specialist (ER/CRS) in Goma, who will support the elaboration and implementation of the ER/CR approach.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Early Recovery/Community Resilience Specialist (ER/CRS) will support the HC/RC in the UNCT and the country office in the UNDP programming in the east of the country. In this capacity, and in close coordination with the UNDP CIDD-pillar in Kinshasa, he/she will support the elaboration and implementation of the ER/CR approach in the East and support the coordination with the agencies (elaboration of one UN approach and joint projects), with the coordination mechanisms of humanitarian interventions, with the SSU (Stabilisation Support Unit) concerning ISSSS, with the donors (concerning the possibilities for projects) and with all actors, concerning the transitions from humanitarian and stabilisation to development.

Summary of key functions

Under the strategic guidance of the Deputy Country Director/Program, and the direct programmatic supervision the Team Leader CIDD pillar and in close collaboration with the Head of the sub-office in Goma, he/she will have an essential role in the coordination with the other agencies concerning the elaboration and implementation of an overall ER/CR strategy (for the pillars of emergency/humanitarian, stabilisation and development efforts) and the transition from emergency to development. He/she will also be responsible for the representation of UNDP concerning the elaboration and implementation of the ER/CR strategy and the support for the transition from humanitarian and stabilisation to development in the East. The ER/CRA will work together with the ER/CRA in Kinshasa and the other advisors and experts on ER/CR, but also with the staff of the others UNDP components in the East, with the Provincial Governments, Agencies Sub Offices, the humanitarian coordination mechanisms in the East, the SSU and other stakeholders and actors. He/she will also be a focal point for donors in the East concerning ER/CR and transition from humanitarian and stabilization towards development.

Development and implementation of ER/CR strategy:

Clarify the concept of early recovery and community resilience in the three main areas (humanitarian, stabilisation and development) with the different actors in these fields;
Contribute to a coherent ER/CR response of the humanitarian, stabilisation and development actors;
Support the elaboration and implementation of a coherent UNCT approach concerning ER/CR (support role to the HC/RC) including the mainstreaming of reintegration issues (durable solutions for IdPs, support to host communities);
Integration of the ER/CR approach in the different strategies and intervention (of all three approaches), taking clearly in account reintegration strategies and transversal issues of gender women economic empowerment and environment;
Improved information sharing and coordination between the three approaches;
Agreements of complementarity between the three approaches and of the transition from humanitarian and stabilisation to development (building on the previous interventions);
Develop and formulate a strategic approach to community resilience for UNDP-DRC, while clarifying the policy options for UNDP on supporting community resilience approach and related interventions, taking in account the transversal issues;
Stimulate strategic thinking in the ER/CR area, in particular with UNDP (Kinshasa and local presences), OCHA, donors, Inter-cluster and SSU (Stabilisation Support Unit);
Support the strengthening of the capacities of the provincial governmental structures to ensure the coordination of the different interventions and the implementation of the provincial laws, especially concerning the coherence and coordination mechanisms between the three interventions (humanitarian, stabilisation and development).

Program Support:

Support HC/RC in the elaboration and coordination of a coherent strategy of the UNCT concerning early recovery/community resilience, , including durable solutions and reintegration of conflict-affected populations (IdP, SGBV survivors, etc) and support to host communities;
Support UNDP leadership in forming a strategic thinking group for better positioning of UNDP in the ER/CR area and support the ER/CR advisors and experts and other experts of pillar 2 (CIDD) concerning the elaboration, implementation and monitoring of ER/CR approaches and strongly linked to reintegration;
Ensure the coherence with the other UNDP programs and projects implemented in Eastern DRC and especially the initiatives concerning gender, women economic empowerment and environment (sustainable development);
Document best practices, including concepts, strategies and implementation approaches and support streamlining of community resilience approach;
Prepare project proposals, especially joint projects and support development and implementation of project concepts in support of community resilience, reintegration and pacification, with specific attention to gender, women economic empowerment and environment;
Identify programmatic priorities for immediate and mid-term attention;
Ensure systemic and effective capturing of the project results i.e outputs, country program outcomes and longer term impact trough sound M&E mechanisms linked with the UNDP-DRC programme 2013-2017 and the UNDP strategic plan 2014-2017, especially on ER/CR issues and among others on gender and women’s empowerment (indicator 18, and outcome 6.4 of UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017).

Coordination and Management:

Liaise closely with the ER/CRA in Kinshasa to ensure an overall and comprehensive ER/CR approach (of the three interventions: humanitarian, stabilisation and development);
Represent UNDP in the East in front of the humanitarian coordination mechanisms, the SSU, agencies and donors especially concerning the ER/CR approach and the transition form humanitarian and stabilisation to development;
Contribute to the coherence of the 2 pillars of UNDP;
Participate in the most important coordination meetings in Goma;
Supervise UNDP-CIDD activities at the provincial levels to ensure efficient coordination and implementation at provincial and territories levels;
Establish and maintain appropriate sector coordination mechanisms, including working groups at the provincial levels;
Report and share findings with other community resilience actors, clusters members, Government, donors, and CWGER
Ensure that baseline data are collected, with due regard to and sex disaggregation, benchmark defined, real-time evaluation conducted, and recommendations integrated in plans and programming;
Develop an exit, or transition, strategy for the UNDP-CIDD interventions, including robust propositions for national and/or community ownership and technical, social, economic, environmental sustainability.

Strategic partnership, Coordination and Resource Mobilization:

Identify resource requirements and mobilize resources for community resilience interventions;
Contribute to broader advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives of the CO, HC, Cluster members and Government.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Exerts adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures;
Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback, remains calm even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programs, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide inputs to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new systems, including new IT based systems;
Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to advocate and influence policy makers;
Ability to analyse, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents;
Ability to understand the institutional sensitivities and different mandates of different United Nations organs and institutions.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the programme and office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

M.A/M.Sc. Degree in Social sciences, Management, International Development Studies, Conflict management, Public administration or related qualification from a recognized University;
Specialization in the area of capacity development is an advantage.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in managing large-scale projects with a strong capacity development or resilience building approach;
Extensive international experience in working with governments, multilateral and bilateral development agencies and civil society organizations;
International field experience in at least 3 countries emerging from conflict / in transition;
A minimum of 5 years in a senior technical lead position with planning and management community/development programs in developing countries;
Experience from Africa would be an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in both written and spoken French;
Ability to speak and write in English;
Working knowledge of Swahili is an asset.