Historique

The Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain is coordinating the UN’s programmatic response to the situation in Bahrain as a consequence of the events of February/March 2011. There is a necessity to enhance the capacity of the UN Country Team in the analysis of the situation and in the development and implementation of programmes that are aimed to strengthen social cohesion and confidence-building among communities to further the national efforts towards social reconciliation and reform.
 
In order to fulfill the need for a meaningful and coordinated response, the RC/RR seeks the support of a Programme Advisor who will provide strategic guidance to the RC/RR, the UNCT and to the resident and non-resident UN Agencies especially in the programmatic response in areas of governance and social cohesion.
 
In this context, and in support of the RC/RR, the Programme Advisor will engage with national partners, counterparts and stakeholders for the purpose of enhancing partnerships between UN Agencies and their Bahraini counterparts on developmental, social cohesion and national reconciliation efforts. The Programme Advisor is expected to provide senior-level socio-political analytical products in support of UN-system programming in the country. Additionally, the Programme Advisor would be tasked with developing new entry points for reconciliation programming, enhancing the capacity development mandate and methodologies of the UN system vis-à-vis social cohesion and reconciliation initiatives, and ensuring partnerships with national counterparts whereby national capacities are promoted, developed and sustained.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The Programme Advisor will carry-out the following functions:
 
Provide strategic support to the RC/RR in his/her relations with government, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership with a view to ensuring that the UN system in Bahrain is well positioned to provide assistance in an appropriate and relevant manner.
  • Identify new entry points with national stakeholders and develop existing partnerships and relationships with key interlocutors in government and civil society
  • Engage with senior levels of government, academia and civil society, under the direction of the RC/RR, to ensure that the UN system’s programmes are in line with national priorities and are developed and sustained in a consultative manner 
  • Participating, on behalf of the RC/RR, in relevant national fora and representing the UN system where necessary

Identify strategic programmatic entry points with national stakeholders by adapting relevant international experiences, including UN Agencies’ best practices in social cohesion, social dialogue between different communities and reconciliation programmes.

  • Through his/her extensive experience, the Programme Advisor would synthesize and share relevant regional and global experiences and best practices through appropriate tools and methodologies in order to inform and enhance national programmes and projects
  • Work with UN Agencies to support their multi-faceted work in a way that is sensitive to the context of Bahrain and further enhances social cohesion and reconciliation
  • Where possible, initiate multi-stakeholder processes in support of national priorities, and in cooperation and coordination with national and local institutions

Provide senior-level, substantive analytical and advisory support to the RC/RR and to the relevant UN Agencies on issues pertaining to the ongoing socio-political and development processes and on specific programmatic impacts with a view to adjust UN programmes and interventions to the specific needs and the evolving situation.

  • Engaging with relevant think-tanks and research institutions to enhance the socio-political and economic analytical capacity of the UN system for the purpose of informing programmes and projects
  • Supporting the UN system’s analytical and programmatic capacities by using available methodologies for development analysis and supporting the production of relevant analytical products that inform the UN Agencies’ development work
Support the RC/RR in the preparation of the UN response to government requests and other initiatives related to social cohesion, reconciliation and the ongoing reform process. Develop ideas and specific projects to this end, including initiatives at the community level.
  • Producing concept notes for projects and initiatives in line with the mandates of UN agencies, and in support of the national development priorities in Bahrain
  • Supporting a coordinated and mainstreamed UN system-wide response to national developments in relation to reconciliation and social cohesion programming
  • Identifying and building the capacity of community-level organizations and linking their work to the strategic national goals of social cohesion and reconciliation

Assist in the development of capacity building and training programmes for national institutions on concepts, methodologies and experiences on national reconciliation, social dialogue between different communities and conflict management.

  • Designing, and carrying out knowledge development and training activities to national counterparts in government and civil society, as well as within the UN system
  • Developing a follow-up strategy for UN capacity development initiatives with national stakeholders for the purpose of ensuring sustainability of knowledge and skills and embedding it in national institutions
 Impact of Results.
  • Enhanced capacity for reconciliation and socio-political analysis.
  • Expanded partnership with national counterparts in government, civil society, academia, and think-tanks/research institutions
  • Relevant international experiences with regard to reconciliation and reform adopted and implemented by national stakeholders.
  • Strengthened capacities for national reconciliation, social cohesion and confidence building.  

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism. 
 Functional Competencies:
  • 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.
  • Demonstrable ability to engage with sensitivity and strategic foresight in situations involving multiple actors and stakeholders;
  • Understanding of the UN system and good knowledge of UNDP rules, regulations, and strategy and programming modalities;
  • Proven facilitation, training, networking, coordination, consensus-building and organizational skills;
  • In-depth knowledge of human development situation in the Arab states and their reform processes;
  • Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnersships and working relationships in a multi-cultural environment;
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
  • Ability to advise and oversee formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes;
  • Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
  • Demonstrated competency to address the planning, human resources, financial and other issues those are central to high-level planning for democratic transition and economic recovery.
  • Proven ability to incorporate into his/her work relevant international practices;
 Management and Leadership:
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to build strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic with sound judgment;
  • Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;
  • Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks.

Qualifications et expériences requises

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 socio-political analysis, policy and strategy development, and conflict prevention.
  • 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 Arab Region would be a major asset
 Language Requirements:
  • Fluent written and spoken English and Arabic