Background

With the backdrop of changing political environment in Myanmar and following the historic elections and the signing of the Nation-wide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), the Resident coordinator office (RCO) provides the day to day support and advice to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team (UNCT) in its strategic positioning and coordination of the UN programmes and processes. 

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the United Nations (UN) Head of Peace Support Unit, the Coordination and Liaison Specialist will support the entire unit in providing inputs and drafting of high level documents and in liaison with Government, Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), political parties, civil society and other stakeholders.

The UN system in Myanmar is responsible for a broad arena of work: development, peacebuilding, human rights and humanitarian. The incumbent would work within all areas, although mainly on matters related to peacebuilding. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures effective support to the Peace Support Unit in preparation of high level correspondence, meetings and communication to Government and other key partners/stakeholders based on achievement of the following results:

• Effective and accurate research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and the ability to analyze highly complex political, social and economic matters related to the UN’s mandates and presence in Myanmar;
• Support to retrieving information from respected and relevant sources and ability to create information loops as needed;  
• Systematic preparation of meetings for the UN Resident Coordinator, Head of Peace Support Unit and potentially other senior colleagues to enable fruitful discussions based on extensive research;
• Establish extensive contact and network lists across the country enabling the UN Resident Coordinator and Head of Peace Support Unit to swiftly reach and meet key actors when needed;
• Effective capturing of meeting minutes and action points as well as proactive follow-up on agreed priority issues;  
• Provide politically sensitive interpretation and translation as needed;
• Feed into ongoing work priorities of the RCO when relevant and requested.

Ensures preparation and implementation of the Peace Support Unit focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Preparation and drafting of the unit work plan and reports;
• Technical support for UNCT retreats to review the annual work plan and other UNCT meetings;
• Support proposal writing and budget revision for the unit with sound political expertise and know-how of state and non-state actors.

Ensures effective advocacy of UN activities in close consultation with PSU members and under the supervision of the Head of Unit focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Maintenance of the systematic information on RC system activities;
• Arrangement of ad-hoc and systematic dialogues, forums and events on issues related to UN activities with Government, EAOs and other key stakeholders as before mentioned;
• Collecting inputs for speakers’ notes, talking points, and speeches for major advocacy events of the RC system in close consultation with the unit;

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to coordination. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals;
• Provision of referral services for agencies without field representation to access national institutions and processes and for national partners to access the expertise of agencies without field representation;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of the Peace Support Unit. In particular, the key results have an impact on the implementation of UN activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships and information sharing internally as well as externally in areas related to ceasefire, peace and intercommunal issues.  

Competencies

Preparing information for advocacy:

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UN’s priorities;
• Maintains a functioning network of contacts with a variety of stakeholders to promote a better understanding of UN’s development agenda and to support advocacy efforts.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management (For UN Coordination):

Contributes into results through primary research and analysis

• Researches linkages across policy priorities to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitors specific political activities and their impact on UN projects/programme implementation;
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven; successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.

Building Strategic Partnerships (For UN Coordination):

Maintaining a network of contacts

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches (For UN Coordination):
Enhancing processes or products

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Resource Mobilization (For UN Coordination):
Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategy

• Collects, researches and analyzes information on resource mobilization and utilization, drafts reports and documents and maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors and donor funded projects;
• Provides data and information needed for preparation of fund raising activities and resource mobilization documents ensuring needs of donors are met.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing (For UN Coordination):
Basic research and analysis

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise (For UN Coordination):
Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks; 
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals (For UN Coordination):
Preparing information for global advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UN’s goals for a variety of audiences;
• Maintains a functioning network of contacts in the media and civil society, to promote a better understanding of UN’s priorities and to support advocacy efforts.

Client Orientation: 
Establishing effective client relationships

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.

Core Competencies: 

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; 
• Self-development, initiative-taking; 
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work; 
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively; 
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in coordinating and liaising with a myriad of stakeholder; 
• Knowledge about the UN and UN coordination would be an advantage;
• Understanding of the complexities of peace, political and internal communal challeges would be an advantage;
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Word; 
• Excellent command of Burmese and English language, both oral and written is a prerequisite for this position. 

Language:

• Fluency in English and Myanmar languages.