Historique

Colombia is a stable democracy, a growing destination for foreign investment, and a rising voice in regional and global affairs. Yet almost 50 years of armed conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN), the existence of drug-trafficking networks, the emergence of other criminal groups (BACRIM) after the 2005 demobilization of paramilitaries and striking levels of inequity and impunity continue to have a significant impact on human rights and the humanitarian situation.
 
In the past two years, the Government of President Juan Manuel Santos has made considerable effort to address some of the root causes of the conflict, most noticeably through the passage of the Victims’ Rights and Land Restitution Law. However, implementation on the ground continues to be a challenge.
 
In August 2012, the President confirmed that the Government and the FARC had begun peace talks. The agreed agenda includes issues critical to Colombia’s development, such as rural development, political participation, DDR, the problem of illicit drugs and victims’ rights. Also crucial will be a measure of transitional justice that provides the FARC with a political future while also guaranteeing truth, justice and reparation for the many victims of the conflict. The talks continue in Havana, Cuba, with Cuba and Norway acting as guarantors and Chile and Venezuela as “accompanying” nations.
 
UN Strategy
 
In 1999, the Secretary-General appointed a Special Adviser on Colombia to support the then political process of negotiations. Although the position of Special Adviser was terminated in 2005 when conditions for it had ceased to exist, the Secretary-General has consistently reiterated to the Colombian authorities that his good offices remain available should circumstances change and the parties request that the Organization resume an active political role. In the meantime, the UN focused on strengthening the overall response of the UN system to reduce civilian suffering, while remaining generally supportive of an eventual negotiated settlement. Political efforts centered on building confidence and mutual understanding with the Government, on strengthening ties with civil society groups seeking a negotiated solution and on supporting the work of humanitarian, human rights and development agencies of the UN system.
 
Within this context, the Secretary-General’s Policy Committee decided on 21 February 2006 that DPA should enhance its engagement with the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Colombia. In order to maintain a sustained link with the UNCT and provide political guidance, DPA was requested to undertake regular visits and to deploy a Bogotá-based PDA to improve the quality of political information and analysis provided to Headquarters.
 
In 2010, the time was considered appropriate to revisit the 2006 decision of the Policy Committee. With the inauguration of the Santos Government in August 2010, the United Nations would aim to develop a constructive dialogue with the Government on how to design a more conflict-sensitive approach to Colombia’s challenges. In a 7 July 2010 meeting, the Policy Committee decided that HQ-based entities should consult DPA before engaging on issues that could have political implications; that DPA should explore potential interest in a negotiated settlement to the conflict and make known the availability of UN good offices; and that a PDA will continue to provide political analysis and serve as a link with DPA. In addition, the Policy Committee called on RCs in the region to work on a coordinated approach to the spill-over effects of Colombia’s conflict, including HQ-endorsed joint programming in border areas. In 2013 DPA and UNDP decided to bring the PDA under the auspices of the Joint UNDP/DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention, and in line with the Standard Operating Procedures, the deployment of a PDA is intended to help advance these efforts.
 
Under the direct guidance of UN Resident Coordinator, the Peace & Development Advisor will provide strategic direction as well as concrete advice on peace & development issues to support programme implementation.  He/she will provide technical, policy and political advice to feed as critical inputs into inter-agency processes related to peace-building.
 
The incumbent will work closely with relevant UNCT colleagues, DPA and UNDP, as well as relevant Government institutions, donors, private sector and civil society organizations to promote dialogue and ensure a successful conflict-sensitive UNDP programming in Colombia.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Summary of key functions:
  • Provide strategic advice  to the RC and UNCT on peace building issues;
  • Undertake regular political and conflict analysis in support of RC, UNCT and HQ-NY;
  • Identify areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders, and provide expert support RC/RR in the preparation of the UN response to government requests related to initiatives aimed at promoting peace & reconciliation;
  • Build capacity of local and national actors;
  • Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships. 
Under the supervision and guidance of the RC in Bogotá and in close collaboration with the UN Country Team and relevant DPA and UNDP counterparts, the PDA will:
  • Provide strategic advice to the RC, and lead substantive strategic initiatives on conflict prevention & peace building, particularly regarding the formulation of a UN system-wide approach to the peace process. Undertake comprehensive analysis of issues related to peace building and provide RC with reports on social political dynamics and peace-building opportunities. The PDA will participate on behalf of the RC in relevant national fora and represent the UN system where necessary liaising with key stakeholders in peace-related work. The PDA works in close coordination with the UNCT and benefits from regular interaction with the UN agencies and programmes (along with regional sub-offices);
  • Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key national, regional and international actors and development partners, including through support to the RC’s efforts in mobilizing resources for peace and development initiatives. The PDA will also maintain close liaison with relevant donors and other actors supporting UNCT peace and development efforts. The PDA will carry out regular field visits throughout Colombia, as well as to neighboring countries, in addition to visits to New York to brief relevant HQ-NY colleagues, when deemed necessary.
  • Undertake regular political and conflict analysis in support of RC, UNCT and HQ-NY helping to link the UN’s high-level political engagements with the on-going activities undertaken by the UN Country Team. Through the RC, the PDA ensures the flow of critical political information and analysis to relevant DPA and UNDP counterparts in HQ-NY, including through the preparationof periodic reports for the RC, the UNCT, DPA, UNDP and other relevant parts of HQ-NY on political developments. The PDA drafts statements for the RC as well as for the Spokesperson’s Office;
  • Identify areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders, and develop appropriate strategic responses for the RC and UNCT. Provide strategic analysis on issues related to PDA with a view to enabling the best support from wider UN system for peace building & reconciliation. The PDA will provide technical advisory services to assist the UNCT integrate conflict-sensitivity across various programming areas, and ensure that issues related to conflict prevention, peace-building and democratic governance are systematically addressed in the follow-up to the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF);
  • Build capacity   and conduct trainings for negotiation & mediation for local and national actors to engage in on-going peace processes as well as increase skills in dialogue and other areas deemed suitable for contributing to creation of conditions for peace. Establish and extend the capacities of networks of mediators and facilitators at the national and local levels and undertake confidence-building measures. This will involve efforts to develop and maintain informal contacts with all political actors in the country (i.e, the Catholic Church, business sector, unions, universities, civil society networks).Provide national counterparts & help build their understanding of comparative experiences & bets practices in regard to effective conflict management capacities;
Impact of Results

The results of the work of the Peace and Development Adviser impact the formulation of a UN system-wide approach to the peace process through a permanent political and conflict analysis in support of RC, UNCT and HQ-NY helping to link the UN’s high-level political engagements with the on-going activities undertaken by the UN Country Team.

Compétences

Core Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
 
Professional Capacity
  • Excellent conflict-analysis / conflict-assessment skills with proven capacity in problem-solving, identifying options and formulating recommendations;
  • Familiarity with Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law;
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment;
  • Ability to work in a stressful, tense environment and carry out a wide range of tasks;
  • Ability to organize and manage priorities;
  • Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
  • Gender-analysis capabilities and familiarity with indigenous issues would be an asset.
Communication and Inter-Personal Skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively – orally and in writing – with a wide range of people;
  • Excellent team-building and interpersonal skills;
  • Demonstrated sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
  • Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural environment.
TechnicalSkills
  • Superior drafting and editing skills for preparation of reports, project documents and proposals, correspondence, briefings and speeches, in English and Spanish;
  • Excellent knowledge of UN rules, regulations, policies, procedures and practices;
  • Good computer skills.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:
  • Master’s degree, with focus on political science, international relations, human rights or similar fields.
Experience:
  • At least 10 years substantive political analysis and policy expertise in post-conflict peace-building countries (at an international level);
  • Extensive field and programming experience;
  • Demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building efforts and/or mediation processes aimed at resolving disputes;
  • Knowledge of UN system policies, coordination and programming in crisis and post-crisis situations would be an asset.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish.
Important Note:

Only on-line applications which contain a signed UNDP P11 form will be considered. You can find P-11 form at http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form-es.docx.

Nationals from Colombia are not eligible to apply.

UN/UNDP internal candidates may be applying for this position.

We strongly encourage qualified women to apply.