UNDP Jobs - 59333- Peace and Development Advisor (RC Office)

Peace and Development Advisor (RC Office)

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

16-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

05-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initially one year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year initially, renewal on an annual basis upon satisfactory performance & availability of funds

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

Bangladesh has made significant progress in achieving development, growth and industrial targets, with a gross domestic product growth rate of 6 per cent in 2013 and a steady decline in the poverty headcount ratio. Despite this progress, there remain challenges in consolidating the democratic gains made since independence. Engagement between actors in formal or informal settings is essential to support a democratic culture and to ensure sustainable development. There is an assumption that there are spaces for engagement and dialogue, but the interest of stakeholders to be engaged and build on momentum to initiate the process of discussions and cooperation should be strengthened.

Under the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC), the Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) will provide analysis and strategic advice to the UNRC and UN Country team (UNCT) in relations with high-level government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership. The PDA will also provide advice on political developments and on options to address challenges and seize emerging opportunities. The PDA will establish and maintain relationships with key players at an appropriate level, both at national and local level.

The Peace and Development Advisor will work closely with relevant UNCT colleagues, the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and UNDP, and in particular with the Senior Human Rights Advisor to the RC and the UNDP Human Rights and Justice Team, as well as relevant Government institutions, donors, private sector and civil society organizations to promote dialogue and ensure a successful conflict-sensitive UN Agency programming in Bangladesh. S/he will support and provide guidance to UN Agencies in the context of current and future UNDAF and joint programming in close coordination with UNDP because of its focus on Governance to promote a conflict-sensitive approach in different programme interventions with key institutions i.e. Police, Judiciary, Elections Commission, as well as with political parties and CSOs.

The UNDP component aims to enhance national and local level capacity and create a platform for engagement on national issues by different parties. The PDA will provide advice on possible conflict resolution activities and identify key entry points for existing projects within UNDP’s Governance portfolio in creating a momentum among parties on broader national issues, i.e. dialogue between political parties, constitutional reform, and electoral reform and also identify opportunities for UNDP to integrate confidence building measures in existing projects.
Working alongside national counterparts at different levels, the PDA is expected to bring international expertise and networks, and as necessary build capacity among national counterparts, with a view to the sustainability and conflict sensitivity of interventions. The PDA is also expected to maintain linkages with broader work and initiatives of the global UN system, UNDP and DPA at Headquarters, as well as key international players in the country and region.

The work of the RC and the PDA would complement the efforts in the political domain undertaken by UNHQ. The PDA will be an integral part of the Office of the Resident Coordinator and will link up with relevant activities of other Agencies, Programmes and Funds. The RC and the UNCT currently have a Senior Human Rights Advisor (HRA) deployed under a UNDG modality. The HRA supports the RC and the UNCT in strengthening the normative and operational linkages and the capacities of the UN system in Bangladesh to implement a human rights based approach (HRBA) to development programing and to respond to potential violations of human rights. In this regard the PDA and the HRA will work closely together. The RC and the UNCT is currently exploring having an Advisor coordinating humanitarian action and supporting the UN preparedness, response and recovery efforts. While the focus is on humanitarian disasters, interaction between the PDA and the Humanitarian Advisor in this area is still required. While reporting directly to the RC, the PDA will closely liaise with the Head of the RC Office, and the Communications Officer in the Office of the RC in order to ensure coherence and consistency of the work.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Provide strategic and analytical support to the Resident Coordinator in his/her relations with high-level government, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership. On some occasions, meet with such stakeholders on behalf of the RC/RR;
Through the RC, provide support to UNHQ, mainly in the form of analysis on political development;
Provide strategic advice and guidance to UNCT members in areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders in close coordination with UNDP governance programme interventions;
Provide strategic direction and support UNCT members including UNDP in enhancing partnerships with high-level national actors and development partners in the context of the above;
Strengthen capacity of UNCT to undertake conflict analysis, and mainstream conflict sensitivity in regular programming in close coordination with UNDP;
Working in close collaboration with UNDP’s Programme section, support the design and implementation of UNDP’s initiatives related to social cohesion, democratic reform, sustainable development;
Provide advisory and technical support to UNDP’s ongoing initiatives in particular in the area of governance (e.g. ARENA, Youth, Human Rights) to strengthen the integration of relevant dialogue and confidence building measures.

Under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator and in close collaboration with the relevant members of the UNCT, the PDA will:

Provide strategic and analytical support to the Resident Coordinator in his/her relations with high-level government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership, including through:

Participating, on behalf of the Resident Coordinator , in relevant national fora;
Engaging national counterparts and development partners, as appropriate, in the context of UNCT’s governance programmes.
Engaging with other national and international institutions and initiatives in order to ensure coordination and mutual alignment in the context of the above;
Provide continuous analysis to Resident Coordinator, UNCT, UNDP and DPA, on political developments and conflict dynamics, with a view to identifying appropriate ‘entry points’ for continued support by the UN for the Bangladesh’s long-term stability.

Support UNCT members including UNDP in areas of programmatic engagement with high-level national stakeholders in close coordination with UNDP governance programme interventions:

Provide strategic advice and guidance to the Resident Coordinator and UNCT to develop and implement conflict-sensitive development programming;
Support activities in training and knowledge networking, for creation of a critical mass of UN and partners with the necessary skills in peace building, conflict analysis and conflict sensitive programming;
Work with existing UNDP initiatives to develop and support implementation of peace-promoting activities such as: facilitating skills building with CSOs and other local actors for negotiation and mediation; support capacities of networks of dialogue facilitators within the community;
Provide technical guidance to UNDP to support national counterparts in identifying and implementing plans through ongoing programmes for building capacities of senior leaders across relevant sectors for constructive dialogue, consensus-building, and effective leadership. In some circumstances, these interactions may be on behalf of the RC/RR with high-level officials.
Identify and engage civil society actors in the peace, development and governance agenda supported by UNDP.

Establish and support partnerships with key high-level national, regional and international actors and development partners:

Lead and guide efforts to establish and maintain networks and strategic partnerships with both national counterparts and international partners for conflict prevention strategies and initiatives; As required, meet with the above mentioned actors on behalf of the UNRC;
Maintain close liaison with relevant donors and other actors supporting UNDP and UNCT’s efforts;
Provide strategic advice and guidance to the Resident Coordinator in mobilizing resources for UNCT support to conflict prevention initiatives;
Participate, on behalf of the RC/RR, in relevant national fora and representing the UN system, where necessary;
Maintain close contact with relevant staff in UN Headquarters including relevant focal points at UNDP and UN/DPA.
Undertake necessary activities within UNDP to build/strengthen/apply capacities to prevent crisis and mainstream conflict prevention interventions throughout UNDP’s work, including as is related to local governance.

Strengthen capacity of UNCT to undertake conflict analysis and mainstream conflict sensitivity in regular programming, ensuring focus on gender in close coordination with UNDP:

Define/implement a strategy for identifying entry points for mainstreaming of conflict prevention and conflict sensitivity in the UNCT, including within the framework of common country planning processes (UNDAF, CPD, etc.); For example, in the context of current UNDAF pillars - 1 (Democratic Governance and Human Rights); 3 (Social Services for Human Development) and; 7 (Gender Equality and Women’s Advancement) strategically guide conflict prevention- and conflict-sensitive programming, including dialogues and confidence building etc.;
Provide analytical and strategic support to UNDP and UNCT such as in the implementation of the UN programmatic framework for support to the CHT.

Impact of Results

The results of the work of the Peace and Development Adviser impact the formulation of a successful conflict-sensitive UN Agency programming in Bangladesh, reaching UNDAF goals, creating strategic partnerships and mobilizing resources.

Enhanced capacity for reconciliation and socio-political analysis;
Expanded partnership with national counterparts in government, civil society, academia, and think-tanks/ research institutions (including high-level government and civic officials*);
Relevant international experiences with regard to social cohesion and peace building governance reforms adopted and implemented by national stakeholders;
Enhanced strategic capacity of UNCT and RC to contribute effectively to the prevention of conflict and the sustained development and application of national capacities for conflict prevention;
Strengthened capacities for dialogue, social cohesion, mediation, reconciliation, conflict prevention, confidence building, etc.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Strong political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy advice;
Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder processes and negotiation;
Excellent analytical skills;
Proven high-level facilitation, training, networking, coordination, team-building, consensus-building and organizational skills;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
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;
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 (region/country) and recent history/events/transitions.
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 Competencies:

Leads strategic planning, resource-based management and reporting;
Pursues innovative approaches and translates them into viable program interventions;
Formulates and manages budgets, contributions, transactions, and conducts financial analysis;
Mobilizes resources and advises on cost recovery;
Monitors and evaluates development projects and programs.

Behavioral Competencies:

Nurtures team spirit and supports staff in developing their potentials;
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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master Degree in social sciences, international relations, political science (with focus on conflict and peace studies), development studies, or other related domain.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional international experience in the fields of conflict prevention, peace-building and conflict- sensitive development, and other related area;
Proven experience in advising senior management, interacting with senior Government officials and donors;
Demonstrated experience to provide project and program support with a conflict sensitive perspective;
Experience in facilitating peace processes and dialogue activities;
Experience working in an international organization, preferably the United Nations, and familiarity with political analysis, as well as crisis prevention and recovery issues;
Knowledge of UN regulations, rules and policies, procedures and practices.
Excellent knowledge of and extensive experience in (country/region), including in dialogue and conflict prevention initiatives, is an advantage;
Experience and specialist knowledge in building national capacities in peace processes and national reconciliation.

Language:

Fluent written and spoken English.