Background

Abyei area, Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, the Three Protocol Areas, historically shared some characteristics that resulted in their unique positions within the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed by the Government Of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in 2005 and separate Protocols defining condition not common in other areas in Sudan. The Protocol Areas are of national and economic importance, straddling the north-south border and a north-south trade link. Further contributing to the three areas complexity is the presence of important natural resources, including oil, natural gas, significant rain-fed and irrigated agricultural land, water (including a significant dam on the Blue Nile River), gold, gum Arabic and other wood products. The areas are also important for national stability and security since they serve as the dividing line between the Northern Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Southern Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) armed forces, which deploy North and South of the 1956 borders respectively. The CPA's security provisions provide for Joint Integrated Units of SAF and SPLA armed forces in the three areas.
The protocol on Abyei specifically makes provision for wealth sharing along ethnic and administrative lines. The Dinkas and Missiriyas are each entitled to 2% of the wealth received from the oil dividend. Another general principle of the Protocol on the Resolution of Abyei Conflict asserts that the neighboring tribes maintain their traditional grazing access. It notes: “The Missiriya and other nomadic peoples retain their traditional rights to graze cattle and move across the territory of Abyei” (Art.1.1.3). Unfortunately, competition over these resources coupled with exploitation of the situation by both warring parties continues to serve as the basis for conflicts among the communities living in the area. Though Abyei has the strongest agreement of the two protocols, it has proved the most difficult to implement.

In May 2008 a security incident between the SPLA and the SAF escalated quickly in the eruption of a violent conflict between the two parties. Consequently, Abyei town was completely destroyed and more than 50,000 residents of Abyei became instantly IDPs fleeing to the South (Agok) and to the North (Al Muglad).Negotiations between the two parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) – the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) –ended direct confrontation and led to the signing of the Abyei Roadmap for Returns of IDPs and implementation of the Abyei Protocol on June 8th 2008. The Abyei Road Map specifically addresses four major aspects: Security arrangement, return of IDPs, establishment of an interim administration and final settlement of Abyei area boundaries

On 23rd July 2009, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) made its ruling on the boundaries of Abyei. The ruling was viewed by many as a final decision regarding the long standing dispute that had resulted to the non implementation of the Abyei protocol by the Government of National Unity since the signing of the CPA in 2005.

Support to Early Recovery and Recovery in Abyei

UNDP is implementing a recovery project in the area – “The Support to the Recovery of Abyei” which presents a coordinated approach to the overall recovery, peace and stability of the area. The project is providing support to peace building, conflict transformation and mitigation interventions and support to the provision of basic services in areas that are prone to conflict mainly linked to lack of basic services

In November 2008, UNDP deployed an Early Recovery Advisor in Abyei for a period of six months primarily to support the set up of an Early Recovery coordination mechanism in the area. The Early Recovery Adviser also provided support to the UN country team in Abyei in undertaking a triangulation of needs, capacities and opportunities in order to facilitate UN agencies on the ground not only to work together but also to identify and develop an integrated recovery framework. To this end, a model for a mechanism for enhancing even more the collegiality and collaboration that already exists with the UN Country Team in Abyei – “Recovery Steering Committee” was proposed and formed.

In August 2009, Crisis and Recovery Mapping & Analysis (CRMA) – a parallel UNDP project - collected a baseline set of data specifically tailored towards the ERSC and that complements the Abyei Integrated Information System. This data was compiled into a digital atlas and distributed to partners in September 2009.

UNDP intends to strengthen recovery capacity in Abyei through a Recovery Adviser. This is intended not only to build on previous UNDP work on early recovery in the area but to reinforce the UN System’s and wider IASC support to the Abyei response as well as its operational support for recovery and support the strengthening of the Recovery Steering committee in Abyei.

The Adviser reports to the head of UNDP Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit Sudan, and will be responsible for supporting the work of all UN agencies, international and national NGO and the Local Administration in the area of early recovery and recovery through the Recovery Steering Committee in Abyei

The Adviser will be responsible for the formulation and implementation of the UN integrated early recovery response plans at country level, on the basis of the early recovery strategic framework. The incumbent will be based in the UNMIS compound in Abyei.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide support to the UN team in Abyei, Recovery Steering Committee and local Authorities to ensure that Recovery coordination is done in the best interests of affected and vulnerable populations :

• Develop  an integrated institutional framework for Recovery 
  Assist the local authorities in developing Recovery policy issues in Abyei.
• Assist the UN country team in Abyei with advocating for Recovery issues with the government and donor community.
• Support UNDP coordination and support to the Abyei Recovery Steering Committee, in preparation for the Abyei Area Administration (AAA) to fully take over the process.
• Participate in and contribute to inter-cluster information management coordination led by RCSO through interaction with information management focal points within the other clusters, to ensure coherence and coordination between intra- and inter- cluster information management initiatives.

2. Facilitate mainstreaming of Conflict  Management in the recovery/development process, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Ensure the integration of conflict reduction concerns into all aspects and proposals of the recovery process;
• Support authorities in identifying capacity building projects to strengthen local systems for conflict management;
  Review existing policies and/or develop new ones as necessary;
• Promoting the adoption of an area recovery policy;
• Support mainstreaming of crisis preparedness and risk management activities, educational and awareness-building tasks, and assessments into the recovery work of all clusters;
• Design specific project document to develop capacities in government and civil society to manage and reduce conflicts in the area.

3. Facilitate inter-agency coordination of Recovery activities through the Recovery Steering Committee focusing on the achievement of the following results. 

• Work with the CRMA Three Areas team to establish better systems for information sharing between recovery actors
• Facilitate the establishment of mechanisms to ensure consensus on the recovery process and the transparent use of resources, through appropriate consultations involving the participation of all relevant stakeholders;
• Establish linkages and synergies with the other clusters especially regarding the recovery activities being undertaken by them;
• Ensure that Recovery actors are aware of relevant policy guidelines and technical standards provided by the CWGER and that their responses are consistent with these standards;

4. Develop a Project Document for the Abyei area recovery:

• Support the development of local-level recovery plans that conform with the country recovery strategy;
• Support UNDP in leading the development of strategic plans and programmatic support to national systems in developing capacities for recovery, particularly in the priority areas/sectors identified through inter-agency needs assessments;
• Formulate a project document for the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit that will form the basis for resource mobilization in close cooperation with local authorities;
• Ensure that regional disparities, inter-sectoral linkages, and cross-cutting issues [Gender, HIV/AIDS, Human Rights, and Environment] are taken into account in recovery activities;
• Effective utilization of data (socio economic and disaggregated by age and gender) and information standards in recovery in close collaboration with the CRMA;
• Support the Recovery Steering Committee in applying participatory approaches and decentralized planning and programming for recovery.

5. Finalize the development of Conflict Reduction Programme document for the three areas through the following:

• Review and provide substantive inputs in the Concept Paper/proposal for the three areas on Conflict Reduction as a starting point for development of the project document, in close coordination with the Conflict Reduction Programme (CRP) Coordinator;
• Follow-up with the existing CRP Coordinator based in Kadugli (South Kordofan) for further consultations with relevant stakeholders in the three protocol areas, especially with regards to linkages between South Kordofan (Al Fula and Muglad areas) and Abyei;
• Expand the conflict reduction concept paper to a full project document;
• Develop and deliver training workshops on recovery concepts to ensure improved understanding;
• Develop and deliver trainings and presentations for stakeholders to improve understanding of the linkages between recovery and conflict management and peace building.

6. Ensure M&E and reporting, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support the establishment of monitoring mechanisms and report progress of recovery activities with clear indicators in a timely, transparent and consolidated manner; identifying gaps and proposing alternatives.

7. Ensures resource mobilization, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support Abyei Project Manager and CRP Coordinator on the development of a resource mobilization strategy.

Deliverables

• Formulation of a five year Recovery Plan for Abyei which will form the basis for a full fledged project document for Recovery of Abyei and resource mobilization in close consultation with local authorities;
• Coordinate the implementation of the recovery strategic framework and its development;
• Support the development of a “recovery action plan”;
• Draft response plans and project proposals related to the coordination of recovery activities;
• Draft regular reports to the CPRU, Abyei Project Manager and CRP Coordinator;
• Prepare recovery briefings to government officials, donors and other stakeholders;
• Provide substantive inputs and support to expand the proposal on Conflict Reduction Program in the three area into a fully fledged project document.
  

Management arrangements:

1. The assignment shall comprise 180 work days in total, in the period from June 2010 to December 2010.
2. UNDP will cover travel costs for the period of the assignment.
3. The consultant will travel to Khartoum before and after the assignment for pre and post mission briefing and debriefing.
4. Possibility of one break during the mission, depending on progress and needs on the ground.
5. A Consultant evaluation must be completed by the supervisor in order for final payment to be released.
   

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promotes knowledge management among UN and non-UN partners
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary programmatic issues regarding the transition from relief to recovery
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the UN

Coordination Effectiveness

• Ability to lead the design and implementation of UN joint programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for Early Recovery.
• Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client.
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
• Establishes priorities for self and other members of the team; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources.
• In providing advice to the RC, has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
• Manages conflict and stress, remaining composed and working as a mediator in crisis or antagonistic situations.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, management and reporting.
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategic plans/frameworks 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree 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:

• 7 years of professional experience in humanitarian affairs and/or recovery and development, including at least 3 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. Professional experience in Africa would be a strong asset.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in written and spoken English a requirement; knowledge of Arabic an asset.

Other Skills:

• 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.
• Familiarity with the IASC systems, (coordination) tools and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in analysis and problem solving.
• Experience on preparation of written reports prepared in an accurate and concise manner and public presentation skills.
• Experience in project design, implementation and evaluation/impact analysis.
• Computer literacy, including familiarity with spreadsheets, and power point presentations.
• 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 ackgrounds, and proven ability to function in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnical environment.

Summary of Critical Competencies for Immediate Response Situations:

Possess a comprehensive set of competencies enabling immediately taking on the challenging role of leading recovery efforts in the designated area of responsibility – strategic, integrity, results orientation, teamwork, good inter-personal skills, well developed communication skills, sound judgment, analytical skills, flexibility, proactive engagement, innovation, risk management, gender and culturally sensitive, ability to work under pressure and demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability.