Background

 
The Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme in Côte d’Ivoire is central to the peace process and is one of the mainstays since the Linas-Marcoussis (Janvier 2003) cease-peace agreement. DDR was then expected to target some 45,000 ex-combatants from both the Forces de Défense et de Sécurité (FDS) and the Forces Armées des Forces Nouvelles (FAFN). Subsequent agreements between the Ivorian parties, endorsed by the Security Council have established the concomitance between the DDR process and the identification of the population in view of elections as the last step of the transition. Through Security Council resolution 1609 (2005) , the United Nations Operations in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) was further mandated to assist the Prime Minister of the Government of National Reconciliation in planning and monitoring a programme for the disarmament and dismantling of some 2,000 mainly pro-Government militias. As per the DDR timetable established by the OPA, this would take place at the same time as the DDR of combatants and the identification process. Both tasks were reconfirmed in SCR 1739 (2007) of 10 January 2007, which also mandates UNOCI with assisting in formulating a plan on the restructuring of the Defence and Security Forces.
 
Subsequently, a DDR programme has been developed in partnership with the National DDR Commission (CNDDR) which had the lead in these matters for the sake of ownership, however full implementation of this programme has been delayed, largely for lack of political will and no real progress in other components of the peace process, in particular the identification process.
 
Thus, after several failed attempts to start the DDR process and the disarmament and dismantling of the auto-defence forces, the peace process stalled and the country fell in a long-lasting “no war, no peace” situation which urge the two belligerent forces to engage in a “direct dialogue” under the facilitation of the Burkina Faso President to resolve through dialogue their various pending issues.
 
The Ouagadougou agreement signed on March 4, 2007 opened a new window of opportunity for the implementation of the DDR programme with the setting up of the Integrated Command Center (ICC) to deal with disarmament and demobilization on the one hand, and the creation of a national program for reintegration and community rehabilitation on the other. As a result, the DDR process was officially launched on December 22, 2007 with two symbolic simultaneous operations in Tiebissou (Near Yamoussoukro) and Djebonoua (near Bouaké) with a total of nearly 200 elements demobilized. The DDR operations resumed in May 2008 in Bouaké following this time, a specific agenda and aiming at completing the process before the elections set for November 30, 2008 and later postponed by one year. The process faced several challenges mainly political and financial but was able to demobilize about 7,700 people out of an estimated total of approx. 26,000 as of August 31, 2008.
 
Furthermore the reintegration of demobilized ex-combatants became an increasing concern as reintegration options were very few and coordination amongst partners was a real problem. However, a couple of thousand ex-combatants benefitted from reinsertion program mainly through the UNOCI-UNDP joint reintegration initiative. 
Today, a year after the re-launch of the DDR process challenges are still high. Some 17,000 FAFN are yet to be demobilized and reintegrated while the ex-militia members are expecting assistance from the Government for their return to civil life. 
 
In addition, the restructuring of the army is still pending and the security sector awaits a sound reform of its various components. 
UNDP has been active in supporting the CI Govt on DDR throughout the whole process. Its support has been focused on:
  • 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.
UNDP intends to continue its support to the Government’s “sortie de crise” program and would like to engage in strategic planning for a smooth transition through the post electoral period while advocating national reconciliation and social cohesion to reinforce peace and security throughout the country.
 
The CO has been dedicating significant time and resources to work on the preparation of Elections as well as on the peace and security front over the last year. The postponement of the elections (previously scheduled for Nov. 30, 2008) to November 29, 2009, added to an already challenging security environment for the DDR program should in principle be completed two months before elections to contribute to improve the pre-electoral environment. However, considering the still slow DDR pace –though improved- the process will likely overlap with elections in November 2009 and therefore will request a sustained follow-up and sound judgment from UNDP CO and more specifically from the Post Conflict Unit (PCU) to ensure that its ongoing and planned activities are adjusted according to development on the ground. 
 
Another key element for reestablishing security in the entire country is the restructuring of the army. Although some progress has been made on that front in terms of setting up the adequate framework for exchanging and shaping the design of the new army, there is to date no national document on the issue yet, and national authorities have already called for capacity strengthening at the level of working group on the restructuring of the army. 
 
In addition to Security and Elections aspects, and to better prepare for post-electoral upcoming economic and socio-economic challenges, the CO will recruit Senior Governance Expert to upscale CO’s program and contribute to strengthening capacities of local staff. The success of post electoral era will lie on a successful and coordinated mix of improved security; coordinated early recovery and good governance activities. In the same spirit, services of a skilled DDR/SSR Specialist are needed to support the CO during this important period through the consolidation of ongoing and planned ex-combatants/militias reintegration activities, and the preparation and coordination for additional initiatives aimed at strengthening peace and security such as Security Sector Reform (SSR); Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Community Security and Social Cohesion (CSSC). The DDR Specialist will lead a team of experts; work on building capacities within UNDP and national partners; and coordinate DDR/SSR activities with partners in accordance with CO’s overall agenda.

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. 

The DDR specialist will assist the CCI and the UNDP CO in the following tasks:  
  • 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

Education:
  • 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.