UNDP Jobs - 50920- Peace and Development Advisor

Peace and Development Advisor

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2014

Application Deadline :

07-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year

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

Kenya possesses a robust national infrastructure for peace, with a variety of mechanisms and institutions at national, sub-national, and local levels contributing to efforts to resolve conflicts, build peace, and transform the underlying dynamics which may threaten stability and sustainable development. Following the introduction of a new constitution, Kenya’s largely peaceful polls in 2013 suggested some measure of stability. However, challenges to peace, cohesion, reconciliation and security still remain in Kenya. The challenge of ethnicity is still a major problem. Issues of marginality and exclusion have not been sufficiently addressed. While a new constitution has been approved and is operational, realizing the promises of the constitution will be critical in ensuring that the country remains stable.

The continuation and further strengthening of this work, in light of the country’s dynamic and tense situation needs to be based on careful analysis and an understanding of the country context, together with increased efforts to link such understanding with programmatic entry points, building on the support being provided by UNDP to Kenya’s infrastructure for peace and engagement with various government, opposition, and civil society actors, as well as the UN’s broader development programming and support. The Senior Peace and Development Advisor will support and help facilitate the UNCT’s peace and development activities and engagements.

Reporting directly to the UN Resident Coordinator/ UNDP Resident Representative, the Senior PDA will regularly communicate with both UNDP and DPA via the RR/UNRC at Headquarters-level, in line with the standard operating procedures of the Joint UNDP/DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention.

This is a Development Project Funded (DPF).

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Provide strategic and analytical support to the RC/ RR in relations with high-level government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership. As necessary meet with such stakeholders on behalf of RC/RR;
Provide leadership to UNDP’s Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Unit, including through identifying areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders, and support to RC/RR in the preparation of the UN response to government requests, related to national dialogue, conflict prevention, or peacebuilding;
Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key, high-level national stakeholders, regional and international actors and development partners;
In support of RC/RR, guide strategic direction of UNDP and UNCT with regard to conflict prevention programming and work to strengthen capacity of UNDP and UNCT to undertake conflict analysis, mainstream conflict sensitivity in regular programming.

Under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator and in close collaboration with the UN country team, the PDA will:

Provide strategic and analytical support to the RC/RR in his/her relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership, including through:

Provide strategic analyses on issues relating to peace and development for the Resident Coordinator and UN Headquarters (DPA and UNDP), with a view to enabling the best support from the wider UN system for peace-building in Kenya;
Providing support to the UN’s engagement in, and support to, efforts to promote peace and dialogue processes
Provide continuous analysis to RC and UNCT on political developments and conflict dynamics, particularly in situations of emerging or acute crisis or violence, with a view to identifying appropriate ‘entry points’ for conflict prevention and recommending appropriate strategic responses for the UN system;
Provide support on conflict sensitivity approaches implementing by UNCT via the UNDAF for Kenya 2014 – 2018 and provide guidance to UN agencies in this regard.

Provide substantive leadership to UNDP Kenya’s Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Unit, including through identifying areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders, resource mobilization for the unit and its programmes:

Provide strategic direction of the Peace Building and Social Cohesion Unit ensuring that regular analysis informs various planning processes (CPD/UNDAF) and work plans;
Assist the Resident Coordinator and UNDP Country Director in identifying “entry points” for peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives and developing appropriate strategic responses;
Strengthen capacity of UN programming to respond to crisis or rapidly-changing conflict dynamics, including through adjusting ongoing programming pertaining to conflict prevention and peacebuilding to better address immediate “triggers” as well as structural causes;
Identify strategic programme areas for cooperation and engage with key national counterparts, including government, opposition, and civil society leaders, to explore entry points for national dialogue and/or other options for resolving immediate “triggers” for violence and providing a forum for key national stakeholders to address structural factors;
Lead and guide efforts to consolidate and strengthen various institutions and mechanisms that comprise Kenya’s national infrastructure for peace, including both national platforms such as the National Steering Committee on Peace Building and Conflict Management, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the Uwiano Platform, as well as local-level mechanisms such as District Peace Committees;

Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key, high-level national stakeholders, regional and international actors and development partners:

Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key national, regional and international actors and development partners;
Establish and maintain networks and strategic partnerships for peace building related strategies and initiatives;
Liaise closely with key high-level national, regional, and local stakeholders from Government and civil society and key international actors to identify entry points, foster dialogue and strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships on conflict prevention, reconciliation and confidence-building initiatives;
Maintain close liaison and strategic partnership with relevant donors and other actors supporting UNDP’s peace building and resilience efforts, including acting on behalf of the RR/RC with high-level officials;
On behalf of the CO, lead and support programme networking, linkages and partnership development in peace-building, national reconciliation and Social Cohesion with other UN agencies and development partners;
Coordinate analysis and research of information regarding potential and current donors;
Strengthen capacity of UNDP and UNCT to undertake conflict analysis and mainstream conflict sensitivity in programming
Under the direction of the RC/RR, engage with other international and national institutions in order to promote common approaches towards supporting peacebuilding and reconciliation including representing UNDP in donor working groups and meetings;
Provide support to UNDP and UN Country Team to take stock of emerging trends and recent events, and to revise and adapt ongoing and planned programming to ensure conflict sensitivity and to maximize peacebuilding potential across the gamut of the UN Country Team’s activities;
Assist the UN Country Team, the UNDP Country Office, and relevant national counterparts in integrating conflict prevention elements through planning frameworks, and lead efforts to develop staff capacity on conflict-sensitivity.

Impact of Results

Enhanced capacity for conflict analysis;
Expanded partnership with national counterparts in government, civil society, academia, and think-tanks/ research institutions (including high-level government and civic officials);
Strengthened entry points and UN support to national dialogue efforts;
Enhanced strategic capacity of UNCT and RC/RR to contribute effectively to the prevention of conflict and the sustained development and application of national capacities for conflict prevention;
Strengthened capacities for dialogue, social cohesion, mediation, reconciliation, conflict prevention, confidence building, etc.

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:

Strong political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy advice;
Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder processes and negotiation;
Excellent analytical skills. Experience and specialist knowledge in building national capacities in good governance and building national reconciliation;
Possesses specialist knowledge in the area of conflict prevention, social cohesion, dialogue and governance reform or related areas, as well as in-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
In-depth knowledge and first-hand experience of programme management cycle;
Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
Proven ability to incorporate into his/her work relevant international practices.

Management Competencies:

Excellent team-building, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills. Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
Very strong leadership capacities to guide dialogue activities among mixed groups;
Ability to build strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations.

Behavioral Competencies:

Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic and sound judgment.
Builds strong relationships with partners, focusing on impact and results;
Demonstrates creativity, openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Possesses positive and constructive attitudes to work;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Experience:

At least 10 years of senior level experience in conflict analysis, policy, and strategy development, development and/or conflict prevention in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
Extensive experience in research and project development;
A proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior levels of government, United Nations, and donors;
Experience working within a UN agency and experience in the (specific region/ country) would be a major asset.
Proven experience in development programming, including good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, and rules and regulations;
Excellent knowledge of and extensive experience in (country/region), including in dialogue and conflict prevention initiatives, is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, including excellent writing skills, is required.