Background

Social cohesion and Peacebuilding are at the forefront of the current government’s agenda with the objective to pursue meaningful reconciliation between Solomon Islanders and the vision of a national approach beyond the issues of the two provinces - Guadalcanal and Malaita. The Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP) National Peacebuilding policy states that peacebuilding is “about creating conditions and processes that minimize the negative effects of conflict and support long term peace. Peace is everybody’s business and generating peace after a period of violent conflict such as the ethnic tension experienced in Solomon Islands requires efforts from all sectors of society.”

The national agenda to promote reconciliation and unity in the Solomon Islands is based on the premise to consolidate peace and harmony and not embarking on a recycling of traditional reconciliations which may have costs and political implications. A broader national reconciliation and unification effort may have to evolve around selected TRC recommendations, carefully balancing justice and reconciliation, the institutionalization of dialogue processes (eventually to lead to national dialogue?), structures to mediate national level and local grievances, build consensus around national issues and promoting a national agenda for social cohesion. This would be done in partnership and close coordination with the Ministry of Peace, Unity and Reconciliation and local stakeholders. The UN can bring its global expertise to the table to assist before mentioned national priorities.

In addition, Government sees a need to build a national identity.  National consciousness and a sense of common identity has been an ongoing post-independence challenge for the country given its diversity of languages and cultures, and the very limited extent of state penetration in the widely dispersed communities. Efforts at building a national identity have been seriously undermined by the effects of ethnic tensions in the late 1990s and early 2000 period which precipitated open violence, and the collapse of the elected government at that time. The lack of common identity is partly due to many years characterized by social fragmentation and weak democratic governance processes. The priority of forging a national identity could be undertaken through various initiatives that can be discussed at the academic consultation.

With RAMSI exiting by mid next year and the potential referendum in neighbouring Bougainville PNG, the Solomon Islands will have to prepare for a smooth and peaceful transition which would include consolidating confidence in the Solomon Islands police force.

All Solomon Islanders, the women, children and the elderly in particular, continue to endure both physical and emotional trauma as a result of the conflict. Distrust between members of different communities remains a stumbling block in the processes of national reconciliation and nation building.

The national elections and the resulting coalition government under current Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare offers a great opportunity for the government to move the country forward. Engaging all stakeholders in the electoral process including security forces, politicians, voters, supporters, the media and civil society including faith based organizations, have been crucial for the government to deliver credible, peaceful and sustainable elections results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives

The key objectives of the consultancy work includes:

• Complete a mapping project of governance, law and justice, peace-building, electoral education and economic development programs delivered in Solomon Islands.
• Assist with co-ordination of project design consultant visit in April-May 2016 at direction of Social Cohesion and Development Specialist.
• Edit documents at direction of Social Cohesion and Development Specialist.
• Research at direction of Social Cohesion and Development Specialist.
• Other projects at direction of Social Cohesion and Development Specialist.

Key deliverables: 

Competencies

Coorporate Responsibility & Direction

• Serves ad promotes the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UNDP

People Skills:

• Recognises and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others, gives credit to the contribution of others

Managing for Results:

• Plans and prioritises work activities to meet organisational goals

Partnering and Networking:

• Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents( Internal/external/bilateral/multilateral/public/private, civil society)

Innovation and Judgment:

• Conceptualises and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
• Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
• Devises new systems and processes, and modalities existing ones, to support innovative behaviours.

Communication:

• Demonstrates excellent and effective  written and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrates effective communication skills in a multidisciplinary working environment;
• Demonstrate respect to knowledge and culture and religion in a multidisciplinary working environment.

Job knowledge & Expertise:

• Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands;
• Uses Information technology effectively as a tool and a resources.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree in the areas of social and political studies, development, economics, public administration, environment, climate change, and/or journalism.

Experience:

• Experience in working with website development, social media, communications and relevant software is an asset.

Language:

• The candidate must possess excellent written and oral communication skills in English, familiarity and knowledge of Pacific Region.

Internship Conditions:

Status:

• Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members;
• Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts;
• Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

 Third-party claims:

• UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.

Interns’ Expenses:

• Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP;
• All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by:
  • the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students;
  • the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.
  • Costs incurred by an intern in the discharge of his/her functions shall be reimbursed by UNDP under the same rules as costs reimbursed to staff members. Costs incurred by an intern undertaking official travel at the request of UNDP in the discharge of functions related to the internship activities shall be paid by the Organization on the same basis as costs incurred by staff members, including payment of DSA, as applicable.

 Insurance:

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they should not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP.

Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which:

• requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or
• results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.

 Working Conditions:

 During the internship session, interns will be provided with a desk, phone and computer access.

 Subsequent Employment:

• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship;
• Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break, from the end of the internship, must be respected;
• Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.