Antecedentes

UNDP and DPA are collaborating on the development and implementation of conflict prevention initiatives in the field through the Joint UNDP-DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention. Under this Joint Programme, UNDP and DPA intend to deploy a Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) to Tajikistan to support the development of strategic conflict prevention initiatives and enhance analysis-based programming.

Tajikistan remains the poorest of the former Soviet States. Following the 1992-1997 civil war, Tajikistan has slowly transitioned from post-conflict recovery but instability remains a constant threat. Both external and internal factors pose numerous challenges to the development of the country.

Through the deployment of the PDA, UNDP and DPA aim to enhance the analytical capacities and mechanisms of the UNCT in Tajikistan to identify internal and external threats to stability and development. Based on ongoing analysis, the incumbent is to provide analytical support and strategic advice to the RC and the UNCT to inform the development of strategic entry-points for conflict prevention programming and mainstreaming that could in turn strengthen the capacity of institutions to manage conflict and political risks.
The deployment of the PDA is intended to enhance the UN’s efforts to support sustainable national capacities and mechanisms for conflict management, mediation, and conflict sensitive natural resource management. Strengthening the capacities of local authorities and communities to undertake collaborative development processes in a conflict sensitive manner would also improve social cohesion and help build confidence between the local and the national levels of governance. The Peace and Development Advisor will provide strategic support and guidance to:
  • Enhance political and conflict analysis and the integration of conflict-sensitivity and conflict prevention into relevant UNDP/UNCT programming;
  • Direct programmatic interventions supporting strategic conflict prevention initiatives in the framework of the wider collaboration between UNDP, DPA/UNRCCA and other UN agencies based on thorough, ongoing analysis.

The Peace and Development Advisor will report to the UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative (RC/RR). For activities related to the UNDP component, the PDA will work closely with the UNDP Country Director and UNDP Country Office staff.He/she will cooperate with UNCT members and Government officials, multilateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement sustainable interventions in this area. 

The Peace and Development Advisor will provide analysis and strategic advice to the UN Resident Coordinator and the UNCT.Cognizant of the importance of enhancing cross-border cooperation, the PDA will also work closely with DPA/UNRCCA including through the UNRCCA’s National Program Officer in Tajikistan and UNDP Country Offices and UNCTs in the region. The PDA will provide bi-monthly reports to relevant colleagues in UNDP, DPA, and the Joint Programme. The PDA will also advise on political and security developments and provide recommendations to address challenges and seize opportunities in both tracks. The PDA will establish and maintain relationships with key players, both at national and local level.

The PDA will be based in the Office of the RC but will have clear programmatic responsibilities and decision-making authority over UNDP programmatic engagements relating to conflict prevention. The PDA will have overall strategic supervision of UNDP programming on conflict prevention in Tajikistan, as well as for the integration of a conflict-sensitive perspective across UNDP programming in Tajikistan. The PDA will closely monitor both internal and external factors and will contribute to strengthening the capacity of UN/UNDP staff to integrate conflict sensitivity into the development, implementation and management of their programming.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Summary of Key Functions:
  • Analyze political and conflict-related trends;
  • Initiate and formulate strategic conflict prevention initiatives;
  • Provide strategic guidance to broader UNCT programming, including specific conflict prevention initiatives and efforts to mainstream conflict prevention and conflict sensitivity in current UNCT programming;
  • Create strategic partnerships and mobilize resources for conflict prevention initiatives;
  • Provide quality policy advice;
  • Facilitate knowledge building and management, and communicate conflict prevention results.
Analyze political and conflict-related trends, including the regional context :
  • Conduct ongoing analysis and research related to peace and development in the country, taking into consideration also regional trends, in order to identify political risks for development, emerging issues/ trends, underlying causes of conflict, etc.
  • Promote mechanisms for conflict analysis among UN entities and create space for the UNCT and the Joint Programme to reflect on trends and their implications for UN programming and political affairs in Tajikistan;
  • Engage national stakeholders, UNCT and donor community in reflecting on conflict-related trends/prospective scenarios towards identifying policy options and entry points for preventive action;
  • Prepare substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents.
Initiate and formulate strategic conflict prevention initiatives/ projects:
  • Based on analysis identify opportunities and entry points for strategic UN conflict prevention initiatives/preventive action and make concrete proposals to senior management, the UNCT, UNRCCA and the Joint Programme, as appropriate;
  • Design and formulate strategic conflict prevention programmes/projects, especially in the framework of the Joint Programme and UNDP - in partnership with UNRCCA, and  ensure that existing programming is implemented in a conflict sensitive way;
  • In close coordination with the Country Office, support the design and development of regional activities (particularly focusing on cross-border cooperation in the Fergana Valley).
Carry out quality assurance role with regards to programme implementation:
  • 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.
Create strategic partnerships and mobilize resources for conflict prevention initiatives/projects:
  • Liaise with stakeholders active in the field of conflict prevention and identify opportunities for partnership building and resource mobilization: Ensure the creation of strategic partnerships that advance the conflict prevention initiatives/ projects of UNDP, its partners and the UN System in Tajikistan (e.g. development of partnerships with UN Agencies, UN multilateral funds, IFIs, Government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, the private sector and civil society);
  • Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to overall resource mobilization efforts.
Provide quality policy advice:
  • Provide policy analytical and policy advisory services in the areas of conflict prevention, peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity to UNDP, RC/ UNCT, donor community and the Joint Programme, as requested;
  • Provide policy analytical and policy advisory services to national counterparts at the central level, as requested;
  • Support the development of policies and the strengthening of institutions to help address the country’s problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
Facilitate knowledge building and management, and communicate conflict prevention results:
  • Draft communications and success stories in close coordination with the UN Communications Group in Tajikistan to demonstrate conflict prevention results;
  • Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, studies/ surveys and UN/ UNDP publications;
  • Maintain close contact with relevant staff in UN Headquarters and regional representatives (e.g. RBEC; BCPR; DPA; UNRCCA), contributing to knowledge management by generating lessons learned and best practices to share with the Joint Programme and RBEC.
Impact of Results:
By building and strengthening structures and systems that address the root-causes of potential violent conflict and supporting national and local capacities for peace over the long-term, UN/UNDP and its partners hope to mitigate the factors that potentially could lead to the escalation of violent conflict and instability. 
The key results to be produced by the PDA impact on the success of UN/UNDP programming in the area of conflict prevention. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

Competencias

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

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education: 

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in social sciences with a focus on conflict resolution; international relations; political science; development studies; or related field.

Experience: 

  • Proven experience with conflict prevention programming, conflict analysis, conflict prevention mainstreaming, and conflict sensitive development.
  • 7 - 10 years expertise in conflict prevention and development, including experience in managing/facilitating internal conflict management mechanisms.
  • Extensive field experience; field experience in Central Asia or the CIS region would be an advantage.
  • Knowledge of the political, economic and social dynamics of the Central Asia region would be an asset.
  • Strong programme management, capacity development, communication and advocacy skills.
  • Proven ability to facilitate discussions, manage complex ideas and maximize synergies effectively.
  • Ability to convey difficult issues and positions, and sensitivity to local cultures.
  • Ability to work in a high-pressure environment and to handle politically sensitive issues.
  • Experience with computers and office software packages, experience with web-based management systems.

Language Requirements: 

  • Full working knowledge of English, including excellent writing skills.
  • Full working knowledge of Russian, including reading/writing skills.
  • Knowledge of Tajik or Persian is an advantage.