Although the Bissau-Guinean Constitution is founded on democratic governance principles, expressed in the consecration of people as the holder of sovereignty, the rule of law as an affirmation of the primacy of legality, the separation of powers and respect for human rights, the participation of citizens, and a multi-party system of government, deep challenges persist when looking at the reality of governance in Guinea-Bissau. The challenges stem primarily from intertwined causes, including the political instability that has been affecting the country since its independence, the legacy of colonial and post-independence forms of centralized government systems, and the political-military dynamics.

Guinea-Bissau ranked 41st position on the Ibrahim African Governance Index (IIAG) in 2020, showing worrying signs of the recent decline, according to the latest report published in November 2020. Good governance reforms are thus urgently needed to improve processes and institutions in order for the State to meet the needs of the Bissau-Guinean citizens. In particular, there is a need to support the rule of law and the legislative power to meet long-term state-building, institutional capacity, and national development objectives.

The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Guinea-Bissau, as key government’s partner in the area of governance, has been developing and implementing various projects in a variety of governance-related domains, including rule of law and justice, anti-corruption and accountability, decentralization and local governance, electoral and parliamentary support as well as civic engagement.

Following the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2458 (2019) that endorsed the SecretaryGeneral’s recommendations and renewed the mandate of UNIOGBIS for one year, on 28 February the Security Council adopted resolution 2512 (2020) that foresaw the closure of the UNIOGBIS on 31 December 2020. At the end of 2020, UNIOGBIS closed, after being present in Guinea-Bissau for almost two decades, along with its predecessor mission (the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau) since 1999. In this context, UNDP has been adapting to the new environment by assuming further responsibility in the governance, sustaining peace and rule of law areas.

In order to adapt and be able to fulfil this renewed role, UNDP is recruiting a Conflict Prevention Specialist (consultant) to support the UNDP Country Office with the strategic positioning in the development and implementation of the transition process and to provide technical support in a number of areas related to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. This includes interventions in the following areas related to conflict prevention: building consensus through dialogue on key development challenges; strengthening national and local capacities for conflict prevention and management; and strengthening the capacity of national institutions and actors for joint conflict analysis and for the development and implementation of conflict-sensitive plans and programmes.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Governance Unit at UNDP, the Conflict Prevention Specialist will work in response to the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative/Programme, and in close collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisor on Rule of Law, the UNDP Governance Unit and other Programme Units, other UN Agencies, UNCT and local and national counterparts.

UNDP is seeking the services of a conflict prevention specialist for:

• Assist UNDP Guinea-Bissau and national counterparts in joint analyses of conflict risks so as to better inform pertinent programmes, and to assist with the building of lasting capacities for conflict-sensitive development planning;
• Support UNDP Guinea-Bissau in developing partnerships and entry-points with national counterparts for conflict prevention initiatives. ? Support UNDP Guinea-Bissau in the development and implementation of conflict prevention programmes;
• Lead the development of policy and knowledge, as appropriate, related to new areas of practice in conflict prevention.

Assist UNDP Guinea-Bissau and national counterparts in joint analyses of conflict risks to better inform pertinent programmes and assist with building lasting capacities for conflict-sensitive development planning.

• Provide in-depth analysis of political developments and explore possible issues that could result in conflicts;
• Analyze conflict risks in order to inform project and program development and implementation;
• Assist UNDP Guinea-Bissau with the building of lasting capacities for conflict-sensitive analyses and targeted responses.

Expected Results: Better understanding reached of impending crises, and the detailed factors behind potentially violent tensions, thus leading to more effective programmes.

Support UNDP Guinea-Bissau in developing partnerships and entry-points with national counterparts for conflict prevention initiatives.

Expected Results: Buy-in and participation obtained from often conflicted national counterparts with regard to addressing sensitive issues such as conflicts over land and natural resources, political transitions, and governance reform.

Support UNDP Guinea-Bissau in the development and implementation of conflict prevention programmes.

• Provide technical expertise to the Country Office and, where appropriate, UN Country Team in the development and implementation of conflict prevention strategies and programmes;
• Assist UNDP Guinea-Bissau with the design and implementation of targeted initiatives to strengthen national capacities for conflict prevention and to build consensus through dialogue, and provide ongoing technical backstopping;
• Provide substantive and technical leadership in the design and implementation of country-based participatory conflict analysis processes, and their translation into programming;
• Facilitate the development of joint programmes with key UN partners in support of conflict prevention initiatives in-country.

Expected Results: Conflict prevention initiative(s) launched and sustained on the ground, National and local capacities built and applied for the prevention, management, and resolution of potentially violent tensions before they lead to violence.

Lead the development of policy and knowledge, as appropriate related to new areas of practice in conflict prevention.

• Lead the systematic collation of “best practices,” including through comparative analysis of programme development and implementation strategies, from conflict prevention initiatives supported by UNDP;
• Develop selected knowledge products and practical tools on selected items of UNDP’s conflict prevention agenda, as well as in the context of inter-agency initiatives;
• Support capacity development of UNDP Governance Unit in conflict prevention, conflict analysis, and conflict-sensitive development.

Expected Results: “Best practices” derived from the systematic assessment of successes and failures in conflict prevention applied to the improvement of the development and implementation of conflict prevention programme(s). Capacities of UNDP CO to develop and implement conflict prevention initiatives built and sustained.

Professionalism: Sound knowledge of and exposure to a range of development assistance issues, including on development programs design and management for borderland areas; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful 4 situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning & Organization: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in conflict resolution, peace studies, political science, sociology, human rights, international relations, economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences. A Bachelor's university degree (or equivalent) with 2 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in conflict analysis, strategy development, risk-informed/conflict-sensitive development, and/or conflict prevention & sustaining peace in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
• Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior officials, such as in the United Nations, government, and external partners;
• Experience in programming and project management, such as program design and results in monitoring, in areas related to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and/or development;
• Experience working within a UN Agency/Fund/Programme or Department and/or field experience would be a major asset;
• Experience in national and community-level conflict prevention and peacebuilding initiatives and programming; with experience in gendered dimensions of peacebuilding being an asset;
• Experience in a transition context is an asset.

Language:

• Fluent written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Portuguese is required.

Guidelines for application:

Required documents:

• A cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for this assignment;
• A brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the tasks, describing the tools and work plan proposed for this assignment. The methodology should be relevant to the Project objectives and aligned with the current Project Results Framework (attached to the Tor);
• A financial proposal;
• A personal CV including past experiences in similar projects and at least 3 names of professional references.

Lump-sum contracts: The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and the number of anticipated working days).

Travel: All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Individual Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging, and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;
• Technical Criteria weight – 70 points;
• Financial Criteria weight – 30 points.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Evaluation criteria:

• Education background - 10 points;
• Experience as defined in the ToR - 15 points;
• Competences as defined in the ToR - 10 points;
• Understating of the ToR - 15 points;
• Methodology and overall approach - 30 points;
• The overall quality of the proposal (comprehensiveness, structure, language, and clarity) - 20 points.