UNDP Jobs - 56916- Senior Regional Peace and Development Advisor

Senior Regional Peace and Development Advisor – Republic of Cameroon and the Region

Location :

Yaoundé, CAMEROON

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

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

Organizational Context

Working under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the RC/RR, and in close collaboration with the UNHQ, the Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) will be responsible for providing strategic advice on issues affecting peace and development in the sub region (Nigeria, Chad, Niger) including Cameroon, focusing particular on issues affecting the sub region including Boko Haram and the CAR crisis which are having a regional impact on security, stability and development. He/She will be working with the Country Offices in the sub region as part of the regional approach. To be based in Cameroon, a portion of the PDA’s functions will be dedicated to sub-regional analysis and engagement with relevant sub-regional actors, including UNOCA, UNOWA, ECCAS, and other regional actors, while also working closely with PDAs deployed in Chad, Chad and Nigeria and possibly CAR (discussions are ongoing regarding deploying a CAR PDA).

The PDA will help the UN to develop strategic entry points and partnerships with relevant national counterparts locally and regionally in order to move peace and development initiatives forward. The PDA’s role extends beyond technical and policy advice to providing substantive leadership on highly sensitive activities, and to establish direct engagement, as appropriate, with senior national and international partners as directed by the RCs. The PDA will also work in close collaboration with UNDP Country Offices in the sub-region as well as UN Country Teams (UNCTs), UNDP RBA (HQ and Regional Service Center) and DPA (HQ). He/she will also liaise with senior Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector, traditional, religious, women’s organizations, and political leaders, and civil society to ensure successful, conflict-sensitive UNDP/UN programme implementation in Cameroon and the sub-region with 2014-2017 Strategic Plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of key functions:

Provide analysis and strategic advice to the RC/RR, UNDP RBA senior management, UNCT and UNHQ on Crisis Prevention, peacebuilding conflict prevention, management and recovery programmes in Cameroon and the sub-region and help link initiatives in a systematic fashion in collaboration with national counterparts;
Develop entry points and partnerships with senior national and regional counterparts for sensitive initiatives and activities pertaining to enhancing national and local capacities for conflict management and peacebuilding;
Support the integration of peacebuilding and conflict management into UNCT programmes, including through support to conflict-sensitive programming in line with the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, and act as advisor for the UNCT on peacebuilding and conflict management issues;
Manage and support as directed concrete programmatic conflict prevention, social dialogue and peacebuilding initiatives and supervise staff;
Monitor and provide i) regular analyses and advisory services on the impact of the situation in Cameroon ((, particularly in the northern region of the country) and the sub-region, and other conflicts in the central Africa region (particularly Boko Haram and the crisis in CAR) on the neighboring countries, ii) establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key regional and international actors and development partners.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of DPA and UNDP;
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;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

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 analytical skills;
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 the Region and recent history/events/transitions;
Ability to contribute to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to advise and oversee formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and programmes;
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 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;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
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, conflict resolution, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences.

Experience:

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in conflict analysis, policy, and strategy development, as well as conflict prevention programming in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
Specific experience in multi-stakeholder facilitation, consensus building and reconciliation efforts, preferably in fragile and conflict situations;
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 the region including in dialogue and conflict prevention initiatives would be a major asset;
Experience and specialist knowledge in building national capacities in good governance and building national reconciliation;
Sound skills and demonstrated experience in processes and negotiation.

Language:

Fluent in English and French.