Background
- Providing timely assistance to CI Govt in developing appropriate crisis exit responses in relation to DDR;
- Providing support to CI Govt in mobilizing resources for the implementation of the DDR process in CI;
- Identification, profiling ex-combatants by mobilizing resources and procuring equipment and by supporting the development of the process;
- Providing support, resources and technical advice in formulating and implementing a communication and sensitization campaign;
- Providing support and resources to rehabilitate 6 Disarmament and Demobilization sites including the relevant equipment;
- Providing support for the reinsertion of ex-combatants and militias.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Country Director and the direct supervision of the Post-Conflict Principal Advisor, the DDR Specialist will be UNDP’s focal point vis-a-vis national partners for technical support and capacity building. He will lead the DDR team within the UNDP Post-Conflict Unit, which is in charge of the overall planning, development and implementation of UNDP’s demobilization and reintegration program as well as the global efforts on the security sector Reform. He will liaise with international partners (UN System, donors and international NGOs/organizations) for a good coordination of DDR/SSR efforts in support to the government of Cote d’Ivoire.
- Undertake high-quality policy analysis and provide advice to senior management on DDR and SSR related issues;
- Contribute to UNDP strategic thinking efforts on post electoral security and development aspects;
- Provide advices and support regular policy dialogue and exchange with key United Nations and non-United Nations partners, in particular international financial institutions and development agencies on DDR and SSR related issues;
- Ensure the timely delivery of high quality technical support to national counterparts on DDR and SSR issues;
- Coordinate UNDP Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program with National Commission;
- Supervise the work of the DDR Team;
- Collaborate, closely with the national DDR institutions: the Integrated Command Center (ICC); the National Programme for Reintegration and Rehabilitation (PNRRC) and the National Programme for Civic Service (PSCN)
- Ensure Gender sensitivity in the design and implementation of DDR projects;
- Monitor all projects and programmes closely in collaboration with implementing agencies and other involved partners;
- Strengthen capacities of national institutions and staff involved in the “sortie de crise programme”;
- Help develop “ peace and development” programs in view of consolidating national cohesion and reconciliation;
- Contribute to lessons learned and best practices and dissemination of knowledge on DDR and SSR;
- Produce and supervise the preparation of high-quality written material, including reports and speeches;
- Represent UNDP/Post Crisis Unit in interagency and external forums for DDR as requested by senior management; and
- Perform other related duties as required by the Post-Conflict Unit Principal Advisor or the Country Director.
Particular attention will be paid to the following specific issues:
- Technical review of the DDR program, including, for example, eligibility criteria, including weapon-to-combatant ratio; sensitization programs; security arrangements; physical preparation of DDR sites; attention to specific target groups (commanders, women, children, etc.);
- Understanding of political impediments to the progress of the DDR program;
- Contributing to the reintegration of ex-combatants and ex-militias members;
- Identify major bottlenecks and assisting in the adjustment of different reintegration program to better serve the needs of the demobilized and the communities involved;
- Strengthening capacities of national security and defense structures within the framework of the restructuring of the army (training, study tour, seminars);
- Review of institutional arrangements for DDR: national structures; coordination arrangements with key international stakeholders; UN support and monitoring mechanisms;
- Linkages between DDR and the disarmament and dismantling of militias and proposals for the dismantling of unarmed militias;
- Linkages between DDR and SSR;
- Funding and implementation modalities for the reintegration.
Competencies
- Serves and contributes to the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Plans, sets priorities and executes tasks timely;
- Participates effectively in a teamwork environment, based on knowledge sharing, collaboration and cooperation with other partners;
- Reacts flexibly and positively to change through active participation;
- Interactive capabilities;
- Recognizes, responds appropriately to ideas, interests and concerns of others;
- Promotes a learning environment, facilitates the development of personal and collective skills;
- Focus on results: plans and produces quality results to attain set objectives;
- Partnership and networking;
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information and good practices within and outside UNDP;
- Innovation and discernment;
- Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key elements, underlying issues and their interconnection;
- Tries, in decision-making, to provide quality client services (external and internal);
- Contribute to innovative and practical solutions to address complex situations;
- Communication: Demonstrates good written and oral communication skills; good knowledge of the work and expertise;
- Demonstrates a proven technical knowledge to assume the responsibilities and job requirements with excellence;
- Use Information Technology as a tool and resource;
- Is motivated and demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development and to continue to learn.
Required Skills and Experience
- Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in political science, sociology, law, international relations, public administration, or other relevant field; or the equivalent combination of education and the extensive relevant professional experience in a related area.
Experience:
- At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs and/or development, including at least 8 years of experience at the international level. Part of that experience must be in the field involved with high-level interactions and inter-agency coordination in post-conflict and/or post-natural disaster settings;
- Extensive professional experience in Africa would be a strong asset;
- Familiarity with programmatic issues surrounding relief to recovery transition;
- Demonstrated experience in humanitarian and/or development coordination especially at the field level and in working with Government officials, NGOs and donors;
- Excellent proven skills in analysis, negotiations and leadership and overall diplomatic skills;
- Proven ability to carry out representation at the highest governmental and diplomatic levels;
- Experience with the media;
- Proven experience on preparation of written reports prepared in an acurate and concise manner, and public presentation skills;
- Experience in project design, implementation and evaluation/impact analysis;
- Proven qualities of and experience in : team leadership and motivation, team building, oral/written communication;
- Strong inter-personal skills and a demonstrated capacity to deal with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds, and proven ability to function in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnical environment.
Language requirements:
- Excellent knowledge of French is required. A good knowledge of English (written and spoken) would be an advantage.