UNDP Jobs - 50142- Consultant Support Sahel Governance and Security I

Consultant Support Sahel Governance and Security Initiatives

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

11-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six months

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six months

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 Sahel region is confronted with acute development and humanitarian challenges. Human development in the region is among the lowest in the world. Over the years, recurring food and nutritional crises caused by climate change, environmental degradation, drought, floods, poorly functioning markets, low agricultural productivity, poverty and conflict have seriously eroded the ability of households to withstand repeated and increasingly frequent shocks. Fighting in northern and central Mali has resulted in mass displacements of people both within Mali and into neighboring countries, which are already struggling to respond to the food crisis.

Countries in the Sahel have been dealing with successive political and humanitarian crises for years. Weak governance, including insufficient border management, have dramatically diminished the capacity of the Sahelian States to effectively deliver basic services, promote broad-based political participation and protect human rights. Widespread corruption, coupled with the inability of States to deliver basic services such as effective policing, justice, access to water, affordable health care and education, has resulted in a widening gap in State-society relations. At the same time, chronic political instability, evident in recurrent unconstitutional changes of government, violent electoral processes and social conflicts, is a direct result of the lack of institutionalized political dialogue, weak parliaments and contested judicial systems.
The UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel approved by the Security Council in July 2013 identifies governance, security and resilience as the three building blocks restore and promote stability in the region by addressing the causes of instability within a sustainable and long-term perspective.

The UN strategy identifies specific objectives and actions under three strategic goals, namely,enhancing inclusive and effective governance throughout the region; strengthening the capacity of national and regional security mechanisms to address cross-border threats; and integrating development and humanitarian interventions to build resilience. The strategy includes a range of innovative objectives relating to, for example, the enhancement of regional security analysis and regional capacity to manage borders, support for local government and state capacity to distribute resources more equitably, and support for vulnerable households and food and nutritional security.

UNDP is actively engaged in the implementation of the UN integrated strategy, both in terms of providing overall coordination support to the development approach of the UN system and through the design of specific programmatic initiatives. UNDP is the chair of the inter-agency working group on governance for the UN Integrated strategy. UNDP has also designed a number of programmatic initiatives. More specifically UNDP has launched a scoping mission for the conduct of regional prospective studies; perception studies on insecurity and violent extremism in border areas; and a small arms survey in several Sahel countries. To support UNDP Regional Adviser for the Sahel in the coordination of the coordination and functioning of the Regional Working Group (RWG) on Governance chaired by UNDP and the coordination and implementation of UNDP’s strategic initiatives related to the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, UNDP will contract a consultant.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Adviser for the Sahel, the consultant will be responsible for the following duties and deliverables:

Provide support to the Regional Adviser in the preparation and facilitation of the Governance Regional Working Group meetings including preparation of agendas and minutes and following up on UN agencies initiatives;
Provide support to the scoping phase of the regional prospective studies including consolidation of partners inputs and organization of the experts meeting in December 2014 that will be facilitated by a senior consultant;
Provide support to the Regional Adviser in the coordination of the perception studies on insecurity and violent extremism in border areas in 8 Sahel countries including the production of monitoring reports, as well as stock-taking and knowledge products on cross border dynamics;
Provide support for the development and regular update of monitoring frameworks for the effective implementation of the Regional Working Group on Governance action plan, including qualitative and quantitative data;
Support the development of new UNDP initiatives related to the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, including research, drafting terms of reference, arranging consultation meetings with key stakeholders;
Conduct research and write thematic and country notes related to governance and security issues in the Sahel region;
Draft reports, background notes, talking points, speeches and/or correspondence for the Regional Adviser;
Perform any other duties as requested by the Regional Adviser for the Sahel.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Exerts strict 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:

Proven excellent knowledge of the Sahel region, especially the political and security dimensions, and their relation to the main engines of instability and conflict;
Familiar with the UN system coordination mechanisms especially in mission settings and/or bureaux of Representatives of the SG.
Familiar with the different coordination mechanisms put in place for the Sahel Integrated;
Strategy (working groups, platform) a strong advantage;
Excellent writing and research skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
Excellent planning/ time management skills and the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills;
Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations;
Proficiency in written and spoken French and English;
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite of applications
Knowledge on peace and security, governance, conflict and crisis prevention and Human Rights issues;
Substantive research experience related to the analysis and monitoring of political and security issues in West Africa, especially the Sahel region.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Masters degree in political or social sciences, international studies, management and development related field.

Experience:

A least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, preferably in the UN system including proved experience on drafting programmatic documents;
At least 2 years of field experience in Sub-Sahara Africa, preferably in the Sahel region;
Prior experience with implementation of governance and/or security projects at country or regional level preferably in the Sahel region;
Work experience related to the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel would be an asset.

Language:

Fluency in French and English.