UNDP Jobs - 54554- Peace and Development Advisor (PDA)

Peace and Development Advisor (PDA)

Location :

Yangon, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

20-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

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 political climate in Myanmar has seen a dramatic shift in the past two and half years which has had a direct impact on the development and peacebuilding space in the country. The Government has initiated peace negotiations with a large number of armed ethnic groups in an attempt to resolve long-standing grievances and instability affecting several border regions of the country. Additionally, the Government is engaged in on-going discussions for a Nation-wide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) which is in the final stages and is envisioned to be the precursor for a political dialogue. At the same, there is a possibility of the political dialogue taking on a parallel track. The Good Offices of the Secretary-General, through his Special Adviser, continues to work in pursuance of General Assembly mandated objectives (i.e. respect for human rights, democratic transition and national reconciliation). Discussions on Constitutional Reform are ongoing and will be critical for democratization process, including the 2015 elections.

The Government of the Union of Myanmar has expressed the need for UN continued support for the political, development and peacebuilding processes. Given the complexities and sensitivities around the multiple transitions in Myanmar, intensified high-level political discussions need to take place on a continual and regular basis both at formal and less formal levels. Though the role of the UN and external partners in this next phase will be determined over time and while the principles of national ownership will prevail, the UN stands ready to support this process.

As part of the RCO Peacebuilding Cluster, he Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) to assist the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT in identifying gaps and opportunities for UN-system wide support to the Government’s efforts towards democratic transition. In this context, the role of the PDA, will be to provide strategic advice to the UN Resident Coordinator/Resident Representative and - through the RC/RR – to the UNCT and UN Headquarters in New York (DPA and UNDP) on how to take forward the socio-economic as well as the political side of peacebuilding efforts through actor and context specific analysis and inputs.

Further to this, s/he will also advise on mainstreaming conflict sensitive approaches to recovery and development interventions as well as assist other key stakeholders. S/he will work with the Senior Advisor on Peace, Recovery and Development in closely monitoring the political situation in the country, and providing periodic reports as needed. S/he will also be responsible for consolidating the UN’s partnerships with other stakeholders working on the peace process and in particular the government, and non-state actors. The strategic advice provided by the PDA will take into account the Secretary-General’s good offices process.

In line with the standard operating procedures of the Joint UNDP/DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention, the PDA will liaise closely with DPA and UNDP regarding any work that requires guidance and advice from DPA in collaboration with UNDP. The incumbent works under the overall supervision of the UN RC/RR and will discharge his/her day-to-day functions as a member of the Peacebuilding Cluster in the Office of the Resident Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected:

Summary of key functions:

Provide strategic and analytical advice to the RC/RR in her relations with State and Non-State actors and civil society in the context of peacebuilding;
Provide guidance and management support to the operations of the Peacebuilding Cluster in the RC’s office, including coordination of PBF projects and preparation of background analyses on the peace process and peacebuilding;
Help establish and strengthen the UN’s strategic partnerships in the area of peacebuilding with key national and international actors and development partners;
Provide direction of the UNCT with regard to peacebuilding interventions and work to strengthen the capacity of the UNCT to undertake conflict analysis and mainstream conflict sensitivity in programming.

The PDA will provide strategic and analytical advice for the RC/RR in her relations with State and Non-State actors and civil society, including to:

Provide strategic analysis and advice on issues relating to peace and development for the RC/RR and the UNCT and UN Headquarters, with a view to enabling the best support from the wider UN system for peacebuilding in Myanmar and informed by the guidance of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser;
Provide continuous analysis to the RC/RR, UNCT, and UN Headquarters (UNDP, DPA, PBSO) on political developments and conflict dynamics with a view to identifying appropriate ‘entry points’ for conflict prevention and recommending appropriate strategic responses for the UN system.

The PDA will provide management support to the operations of the Peacebuilding Cluster in the RC’s office, including to:

Identify areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders related to the peace process and peacebuilding;
Provide direction of the Peacebuilding Cluster in the RC’s office, ensuring regular analysis informs various planning processes (Repositioning Strategy, UN Peacebuilding Strategy) and workplans;
Assist in identifying “entry points” for peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives and developing appropriate strategic responses;
Strengthen capacity of UN programming to respond to conflict dynamics, including through adjusting ongoing programming pertaining to peacebuilding to better address immediate “triggers” as well as structural causes;
Identify strategic programme areas for cooperation and engage with key national counterparts, including government, parliament, political parties, the military, non-state actors and civil society to explore entry points for the peace process and peacebuilding;
Provide effective management and supervision of the engagement of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in Myanmar (including relevant governance mechanisms for PBF resources). Assist the Peacebuilding Cluster in the RC’s office project formulation, implementation and monitoring work, particularly in respect of PBF projects.

The PDA will contribute to the establishment and strengthening of the UN’s strategic partnerships with key national, regional and international actors and development partners to:

Establish and maintain networks and strategic partnerships for peacebuilding strategies and initiatives;
Where appropriate, represent the Peacebuilding Cluster in the RC’s office at meetings with national and international partners and stakeholders;
Liaise with national, regional, and international stakeholders from State and Non-State Actors and civil society to identify entry points, foster dialogue and strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships on conflict prevention, reconciliation and confidence-building initiatives;
Maintain close liaison with relevant donors and other actors supporting the UN system’s peacebuilding efforts;
Coordinate analysis and research of information regarding potential and current donors;
Support resource mobilization and fund management in support of peacebuilding and the peace process;
Support the development and operation of peacebuilding coordination platforms involving key stakeholders;
Maintain close contact with relevant staff in UN Headquarters.

The PDA will strengthen the capacity of the UNCT to undertake conflict analysis and mainstream conflict sensitivity in programming, ensuring a focus on gender, to:

Engage with other international, regional and national actors to promote common and coordinated approaches towards supporting the peace process and peacebuilding;
Provide support to the UNCT to take stock of emerging trends and recent events, and to revise and adapt ongoing and planned programming to ensure conflict sensitivity and to maximize peacebuilding potential across the gamut of the UNCT’s activities;
Assist the UNCT and relevant national counterparts in integrating conflict prevention elements through planning frameworks, and lead efforts to develop staff capacity on conflict-sensitivity;
Provide, periodic reporting to UN Headquarters on the situation in Myanmar, encompassing all the relevant developments with a bearing on the political situation.

Impact of Results

Enhanced capacity for conflict and peacebuilding analysis and strategy development;
Strengthened capacity for formulating, implementing and monitoring peacebuilding interventions;
Increased conflict sensitivity in programming and operations;
Enhanced dialogue between the UN and other national stakeholders including government, Parliament, military, Non-State Actors, civil society, academia, and think-tanks/research institutions;
Expanded partnerships with international stakeholders and donors;
Strengthened UN system support to the peace process and peacebuilding efforts.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Strong political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy advice and sound written reporting skills;
Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder processes and negotiation;
Excellent analytical skills;
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;
In-depth knowledge and first-hand experience of programme management cycle;
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 Competencies:

Excellent team-building, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills. Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
Sound time management with full understanding of matrix management and organizational skills with the ability to handle and delegate multiple tasks;
Ability to coordinate and 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;
Ability to mobilise resources and manage funds;
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;
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, law, public administration, or related social sciences.

Experience:

At least 10 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 and substantive reporting;
A proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior levels of government, United Nations, and donors;
Experience working within a UN agency and experience in or understanding of managing Multi-Donor Trust Fund in a peacebuilding context would be an asset;
Experience and specialist knowledge in building national capacities in good governance and building national reconciliation;
Proven experience in development programming, including good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, and rules and regulations;
Knowledge of and experience in Myanmar, including in conflict prevention initiatives, is an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English, including excellent writing skills;
Knowledge of Bamar and/or ethnic languages in Myanmar would be an advantage.