UNDP Jobs - 13615- Programme Specialist (Conflict Prevention, CPR Uni

Programme Specialist (Conflict Prevention, CPR Unit)

Location :

Suva, FIJI

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2010

Application Deadline :

13-Dec-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months

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

Under the direct supervision of the Pacific Centre Senior Regional Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor & Manager, the Conflict Prevention Advisor will provide support to regional organisations in the Pacific. This is the core mandate of the UNDP Pacific Centre. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is the intergovernmental organisation in the Pacific mandated to handle security matters at a regional level. Since 2006 UNDP Pacific Centre and PIFS’ Political and Security Programme have been developing a strategic partnership to work on human security and conflict prevention in the Pacific region. This partnership is part of the UNDP-PC Crisis Prevention and Recovery Project 2008 – 2011.

As part of this process, UNDP Pacific Centre recruited a Crisis Prevention and Recovery consultant (SSA modality) in May 2007 to be seconded to PIFS’ Political and Security Programme as the first PIFS Conflict Prevention Adviser. The work of this CPA has resulted in a preliminary regional framework for Human Security and Conflict Prevention, which will be further expanded since 2008 and the focus over the next two years will be on implementing strategic initiatives to prevent conflict in the region.

UNDP Pacific Centre support to the Forum Secretariat in conflict prevention is now firmly established. Given the fact that this support to the Forum Secretariat is part of the core mandate of UNDP Pacific Centre, in 2009 a more sustainable approach was agreed through the recruitment of a UNDP Pacific Centre staff member. In this regard, the Conflict Prevention Advisor will became a project staff under the Pacific Centre CPR team, working closely with the Political and Security Programme of the forum Secretariat under the UNDP PC-PIFS partnership.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Results Expected/Major Functional Activities and the Percentage (%) of Time Assigned

Support to the operations of the PC and programme management (10%):

Support the Senior Regional Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor/Programme Manager in preparing quarterly reports on delivery and financial management of the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Project as part of management and reporting processes of Centre.
Support resource mobilization, advocacy, partnership building and knowledge sharing.

Policy and technical advisory support in the area of conflict prevention and management (60%):

Identify the needs and roles of regional inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations and formulate strategies and projects for UNDP to strengthen conflict prevention efforts in the region;
Provide technical assistance and policy advice to PIFS on conflict prevention and management issue;
Provide direction on the implementation of Human Security Framework for Conflict Prevention: engaging marginalised youth to prevent conflict (research, advocacy, policy recommendations and designing pilot initiatives) and supporting the development of a land management and conflict minimisation methodology as a key component of the future regional education and technical assistance land facility.
Provide technical assistance on the design and validation of a regional code of conduct for law enforcement agencies to address sexual and gender-based violence;
Provide technical assistance to PIFS on key CPR issues:
- Engagement of civil society organisations on security and conflict issues
- Build the capacities of key PIFS staff on conflict issues
- Policy briefings & advocacy and preparations for high-level fora such as Forum Regional Security Committee and PIF Leaders Meeting.
Support the formulation of conflict prevention and human security policy frameworks and strategies including for operationalizing the Biketawa Declaration;
Prepare research, participatory assessments and analysis of the human security and political situation and trends in the Pacific islands region to determine appropriate programmatic support to avert or ameliorate conflict;
Mainstream conflict prevention and human security practices into UN and regional organizations policies.

Integrated regional programme delivery, knowledge management and networking (30%):

Through advocacy and outreach activities, promote active participation of non-state organizations and agencies including women, in post-crisis peace consolidation, and reconciliation in the Pacific (sub)-region;
Strengthen partnerships and information sharing with relevant donors and regional inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations supporting UNDP’s peace related efforts, including through periodic information sharing via email updates to the donor/partner network;
Assist the project manager in building strategic alliances and partnerships for peace and development related strategies and initiatives, in particular with regional inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations;
Assist the Senior Regional CPR Advisor/Programme Manager and programme staff in maintaining close contact with relevant staff in UNDP Headquarters, contributing to BCPR/UNDP corporate policies in conflict prevention and human security as necessary;
Work with the Senior Regional CPR Advisor/Programme Manager in mobilizing resources for peace and development initiatives for UNDP and regional organizations;
Manage codification of knowledge on conflict prevention issues and support the development of knowledge management products (tools, methodologies, reports etc) on specific conflict prevention issues.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement;
Establishes clear performance goals, standards, & responsibilities; manages them accordingly;
Promotes a learning environment; facilitates the development of individual and team competencies.

Results-Orientation:

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals.

Partnering and Networking:

Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP.

Innovation and Judgment:

Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify the key issues and underlying problems;
Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situations;
Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action.

Communication:

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills.

Job Knowledge & Expertise:

Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
Uses ICT and web-based management systems effectively as a tool and resource;
Is motivated & demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development & learn.
Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree in economics, political science, sociology, international relations, anthropology, public administration, development studies or other relevant fields. Doctoral or Masters level research experience in crisis or post-conflict settings would be highly desirable.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in conflict prevention, including relevant field experience, especially in crisis or post-conflict settings, and in conflict sensitive programming;
Demonstrable experience of conflict prevention policy and strategy development including knowledge of conflict prevention tools, instruments and approaches;
Substantive and technical expertise in one or more of the following issues:
- conflict analysis/assessment tools
- mainstreaming conflict prevention into national development programmes
- building national capacities to manage/prevent/reduce violent conflict
- facilitating multi-stakeholder national/local dialogues for conflict management;
Extensive experience of providing policy advice (including report writing) at international level;
Knowledge of the Pacific region, the different forms of conflict and its cultures will be a definite asset;
Proven capacity development skills;
Excellent writing and drafting skills;
Relevant knowledge of governmental, official administration business and functioning, and/or intergovernmental bodies;
Aptitude for working with multi-disciplinary and international teams;
Demonstrated aptitude for coordination, diplomacy and overcoming bureaucratic obstacles;
Good knowledge and understanding of the UN, its values, priority goals and systems and procedures will be a definitive asset.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English and knowledge of any languages of the Pacific Islands would be an asset.