Background

The “Support to Confidence Building Measures” Programme (SCBM Programme) is funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the UNDP Moldova. The overall objective of the Programme is to build confidence between Chisinau and Tiraspol by involving local authorities, civil society organizations, business community and other stakeholders in join work and spurt economic and social development on both sides.

The SCBM Programme seeks, inter alia, to enhance the economic development and contribute to economic rapprochement between the two banks by promoting cross-river exchanges and expanding the range of business support services; empowering local communities and actors from both sides to participate in collaborative projects addressing pressing development needs and ensuring the delivery of essential public services; addressing common environmental development concerns; fostering civil society development by enhancing the capacity of NGOs to generate activities which promote cross-river collaboration and address key development needs.

The current phase of the SCBM Programme (April 2012 – March 2015) focuses on 5 key areas, which include a range of sub-projects with a strong focus on partnerships from both banks: business development, civil society, social infrastructure, environment and health.

The Civil Society Initiative falls under the Civil Society component (No 3.1) of the SCBM Programme, “Dialogues programme between experts, opinion leaders”. It is intended to serve as a key mechanism to convene actors from both banks of the Nistru River, promote cooperation and encourage the development of joint solutions. It will succeed the pioneering Transnistrian Dialogues project (2006-11) which established informal platforms (workshops, seminars, study visits, etc.) for linking top-level decision makers, members of the technical working groups and professionals and experts from the economic and social sectors on both sides of the Nistru River. The project will continue working with groups who have participated in Transnistrian Dialogues and will also expand to capture other segments of the society who may be interested in joint collaboration in a range of different sectors. The project will draw lessons from other projects, such as IMPACT, implemented in 2007-09.

This initiative will focus on dialogue between experts from both banks in order to work out development projects and will provide an analytical tool for elaboration of projects that may later be implemented on the ground. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Deliverables by the International Expert (Team Leader) to support the Civil Society initiative on Confidence Building Working Groups include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as the Team Leader;
• Organize, implement, facilitate and assume overall responsibility for 2 working meetings and 2 research visits, according to the plan of the initiative;
• Supervise and direct the work of the Civil Society initiative implementation team, including 4 consultants (2 from each bank);
• Supervise the administrative and logistical preparations, as well as the implementation of the project, to ensure the achievement of the overall goal of the assignment;
• Direct the content of the initiative and provide key intellectual and analytical inputs to the initiative, in consultation with the Coordinator; 
• Together with the consultants and the Coordinator, identify participants for events and research visits, negotiate with them and ensure their meaningful involvement;
• Further define or redefine precise areas that the group will focus on;
• Conduct de-briefings, lead the team in summarizing events, recommending further actions;
• Oversee the process of ensuring continuous liaison with the participants and stakeholders, receiving their feedback and input proposals for the final paper in the context of thematic meetings, as well as outside of the planned events;
• Lead and coordinate the process of drafting of the final paper, including its intermediary drafts; ensure it is in line with the tasks and objectives of this assignment;
• Write and finalize the blueprint for further confidence-building activities based on the input by the Consultants, as well as the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the initiative;
• Engage with key stakeholders to disseminate the findings, transform conclusions and recommendations into specific projects;
• Provide other expertise and support as requested by the Coordinator.

Competencies

• Proven ability to conceptualize and put together an informal program for civil society, experts, Confidence Building working groups, professionals and researchers;
• Proven familiarity with the Moldovan-Transnistrian setting; knowledge and in-depth understanding of the working environment, its sensitivities, economic and political challenges, ability to build solid ground for joint work between the two sides are strongly desirable;
• Ability to propose ideas, conceptualize and design joint projects in areas where non-political, development-focused work is possible within the settings of the Working Groups;
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Proven analytical and reporting skills, including skills in report-writing and communications;
• Flexibility, ability to work under tight deadlines; 
• Ability to focus on goals and adapt processes to achieving goals.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in international relations, conflict resolution, political science, economics or a related discipline;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of practical experience and/or senior advisory role in confidence building projects, conflict resolution or conflict analysis;
• At least 3 years of experience in leading complex, composite teams in similar settings; 
• Proven expertise in conflict and post-conflict situations in Europe and the former Soviet space.

Language:

• English;
• Knowledge of Russian language is a clear advantage.