UNDP Jobs - 50598- Peace and Conflict Resolution Specialist

Peace and Conflict Resolution Specialist

Location :

Sana'a, YEMEN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

'One year with possibility of extension'

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

Following Yemen’s political unrest of 2011, and the signing of the Gulf Cooperation Council peace initiative in November of that year, the Republic of Yemen has embarked on a two-year transition agenda. Against the backdrop of this political transition, and the request of the Yemeni authorities, the United Nations has articulated a Joint UN Framework to Support the Transition in Yemen, which provides an important basis for UN assistance during this period. In this context, Rule of Law (RoL) has been identified as a key priority for Yemen, and for international assistance. In explicit contribution to this transition agenda, UNDP has developed a broad strategic programme of assistance in the areas of RoL, justice and security, human rights and transitional justice. The project Support to the Implementation of Transitional Justice represents one component of this overall strategic support.

The overall objective of this project is to assist the Government of Yemen and other national stakeholders in developing their transitional justice initiatives based on the comprehensive approach and reflecting international standards and comparative experiences. The project looks to support the national TJ process from design through implementation, giving due attention to building capacity of governmental institutions and civil society and issues of communication and outreach between formal processes and national dialogue, but also to supporting various commissions of enquiry and establishment and functioning of a truth commission. The project is implemented directly by UNDP in close collaboration with OHCHR, Ministry of Legal Affairs and other key strategic stakeholders. Finally, this project will take advantage of the added value of other UN agencies and other agencies working on Transitional Justice related issues in Yemen.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under overall supervision of the Governance Team Leader and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor-Transitional Justice, the incumbent is to initiate, create and implement all the project’s CSOs related activities. In addition, the incumbent will be involved in initiating local communities’ conflict resolution activities and supporting similar activities of other projects/UNDP units, to secure cross projects’ complementarity.

Particularly, the incumbent is tasked to:

Initiate and supervise partnership between the TJ project and CSOs and implementation of agreed activities;
Initiate and supervise local community dialogue/consultation process;
Create and supervise implementation of CSOs Small Grants Fund;
Initiate and supervise conflict resolution pilot projects in local communities;
Initiate creation of the CSOs TJ network;
Assist in securing interaction and relationship between CSOs and various existing (Land and Dismissals Commissions) and future investigative bodies (truth commission, Commission of Inquiry into events of 2011 etc.) and other institutions;
Supervise national and international consultants;
Keep contact with relevant national and international stakeholders and donor community;
Support similar activities of other projects/UNDP units to secure cross projects’ complementarity;
Other relevant activities as appropriate.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Substantial knowledge of conflict resolution, reconciliation or transitional justice approaches and methodologies;
Substantial experience in developing conflict resolution and reconciliation documents and strategies;
Substantial experience in generating dialogue and consultation process in areas burdened with legacy of human rights violations, with particular focus on divided local communities;
Teaching experience in conflict resolution, reconciliation or transitional justice is a significant asset;
Substantial knowledge of international legal, programmatic and expert documents related to conflict resolution, reconciliation or transitional justice;
Substantial experience in creation of partnership with CSOs and involvement of CSOs in dialogue and consultation process;
Political intuition – ability to grasp political dimensions of the context that will permeate and influence the process;
A collaborative work style;
Excellent communication skills.

Core 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.

Leadership:

Serves as a role model that other people want to follow, is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives, does not accept the status quo;
Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Client Orientation:

Ability to establish and maintain productive relations with clients, identifies clients needs and matches them to appropriate solutions, keeps clients informed of progress and setbacks in the project, meets timelines for delivery of products or services to clients.

Communication:

Capable of writing clearly and concisely and excellent oral communication skills;
Exhibits interest having two way communications, demonstrates openness and sharing information and keeping people informed.

Team work:

Work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
Solicits inputs from colleagues and is willing to learn from others;
Places team agenda before personal agenda;
Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum MA in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, communications or other relevant degree.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of experience in conflict resolution, reconciliation or TJ area;
Substantial and proven experience in generating dialogue and consultation process, involving CSOs is a significant advantage.

Language:

Excellent command in English (written and spoken) is a must;
Knowledge of Arabic (written and spoken) is a significant advantage.