UNDP Jobs - 48157- Strategic Planning Specialist

Strategic Planning Specialist

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

14-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year (Renewable subject to good performance and availability of funds)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Since November 2013, Thailand has been struggling with a political crisis that has turned violent at times claiming many lives and causing injuries. At the root of the current crisis lay grievances that run deep in the society and in history.

Recognizing the potential for conflict that derives from these grievances remaining unaddressed for so long, since 2012 the UNCT has engaged in analyses of its operating context with the technical and financial support of UNDP/DPA. A first closed-door workshop was held in June 2012 to analyse the political situation and potential scenarios, while a second one-day meeting was conducted on 16 October 2013 to more specifically discuss the underlying grievances of the political and social divide and explore opportunities for the UN’s engagement in conflict- sensitive programming, common advocacy and new programmes. Consequently, the UNCT agreed on a set of “principles of engagement” which, considering the underlying causes of the conflict, sets out to ensure that UN programmes in Thailand do not exacerbate them and contribute to addressing them.

Furthermore, the RCO/UNDP have been engaging in different peace/reconciliation initiatives and developed a thorough mapping of their profile. Its outcomes were presented at a public forum in April 2014, bringing together all the networks and institutes behind these initiatives with the scope of analysing the lessons-learned and provide recommendations for future inclusive and sustainable dialogue processes.

The current crisis has a potential for further escalation, especially if the root causes and grievances are not adequately addressed. This volatile situation highlights the increased and urgent need to re-calibrate the UN’s capacity and engagement in Thailand. As an immediate measure, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator needs to augment its capacity with the recruitment of a Strategic Advisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

Analyze political and conflict-related trends, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Conduct ongoing analysis and research related to conflict prevention and peace building in the country and region in order to identify opportunities for proactive engagement with other stake-holders and participate in national and regional fora;
Support the RC in the establishment and strengthening of key networks and partnerships for the implementation of peace-building and conflict-resolution activities;
Provide systematic and regular reporting and conflict analyses, including political risk assessments, to the RC, UNCT and UNHQ, as necessary;
Prepare substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents.

Create strategic partnerships and mobilize resources for conflict prevention initiatives/projects, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Liaise closely with national, regional, and local stakeholders for partnership building and to promote a common approach towards supporting conflict prevention;
Support the RC in mobilizing resources for peace-building and conflict-prevention initiatives;
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects.

Initiate and formulate strategic conflict prevention initiatives/ projects, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Based on analysis, identify opportunities and entry points for strategic UN conflict prevention initiatives/preventive action and make concrete proposals to senior management and the UNCT;
Identify entry points for mainstreaming conflict sensitivity in the UNCT and common country planning processes (UNDAF, CPD, etc.);
Draft outlines for new conflict prevention/peace-building programmes, advise on their design and development;
Design and formulate strategic conflict prevention initiatives and provide support to conflict transformation programming in Thailand;
Provide advice and support to ongoing conflict prevention initiatives in Thailand.

Provide quality policy advice to mainstream conflict-sensitive approaches into UNCT programming and UNDAF-related processes, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide policy analytical and policy advisory services in the areas of reconciliation, conflict transformation, and national dialogue, and identify opportunities for engagement;
Support the development of policies and initiatives to enhance dialogue, build mutual trust, increase information sharing, and strengthen communication.

Carry out quality assurance role with regards to programme implementation, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Perform quality assurance functions with a focus on conflict sensitivity and conflict prevention to ensure the implementation and evaluation of programme strategies against committed outcomes and outputs;
Enhance the capacity of UN programmes, agencies and offices in conflict-sensitive programming and support the design and implementation of related systems/ tools;
Support the development of a more robust M&E system for the UNCT that fully incorporates conflict sensitivity and early warning.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Conduct conflict analysis/sensitivity training for UN Country Team staff and key national partners to develop capacities for conflict sensitive programming;
Provide technical advice to the UN Working Group on Conflict Prevention;
Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, studies/ surveys and UN/ UNDP publications.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Technical Competencies:

Strong political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy advice;
Good knowledge of conflict analysis/assessment tools;
Outstanding knowledge of facilitation/training, process and co-ordination skills;
Mainstreaming conflict sensitivity into development programmes;
Facilitating multi-stakeholder national/local dialogues for conflict management;
Experience in inter-agency policy processes.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit;
Good ICT skills, knowledge of Atlas;
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in political science, conflict prevention, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences.

Experience:

7 years of progressively responsible experience in conflict analysis, dialogue and mediation, policy, and strategy development, development and/or conflict prevention/resolution in a governmental, multilateral, or civil society organization, including in an international context;
Experience in political analysis;
Experience working in Asia-Pacific countries and/or other transitional contexts;
Experience in project design and development;
A proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior-level officials in government, United Nations, and donors;
Experience working within a UN agency and experience in the Asia-Pacific would be a major asset;
Knowledge of, and extensive experience in Asia-Pacific, including in dialogue and conflict prevention initiatives, is an advantage;
Knowledge of Thailand’s political situation, relevant players and history would be an asset;
Proven experience with conflict prevention programming, conflict analysis, conflict prevention mainstreaming, and conflict sensitive development.

Language:

Full working knowledge of English, including excellent writing skills;
Knowledge of Thai an advantage.