Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau (CB) guides UNDP’s corporate crisis and fragility related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. The Bureau has the responsibility for providing support to prevention, crisis response, resilience, recovery and peacebuilding work under the auspices of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. CB staff provide global strategic advice to UNDP management and technical advice to regional hubs and Country Offices; advocate for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. As part of the Global Policy Network (GPN), the CB works in an integrated manner with UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) ensuring that issues are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. Peace outcomes are delivered in a coherent manner, working across the GPN that includes the Governance team in Bureau of Policy and Programme Support.

Within the CB, the Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions (CPPRI) team covers the following thematic/programming areas as part of the Global Policy Network (GPN): 1) Conflict prevention and Peacebuilding; 2) Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE); 3) Core government functions, including local governance; and 4) Climate Security.

There is growing understanding that prolonged crisis and violent conflict not only have devastating consequences for the mental health and wellbeing of communities and individuals, but that it also negatively impacts their resilience. These effects can compound and intersect with other forms of marginalization and inequalities that are heightened by crisis, such as those related to gender, age, or disability. For example, it is increasing recognized that psychosocial and trauma support is an essential component of effective interventions for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) survivors in crisis and emergency settings. In recent years great advances, though still ad hoc, have been made towards including mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in humanitarian responses. Yet, MHPSS is not structurally nor explicitly considered as part of prevention and peacebuilding efforts and at present there is a lack of internal capacity, guidance, and policy to facilitate this integration.

UNDP has taken several initiatives to advance policy, programming and partnerships that will further support the integration of MHPSS in Prevention and Peacebuilding. In this context, UNDP is now seeking to expand technical support through the development of a dedicated roster of experts under the UNDP’s GPN/Experts Roster for Rapid Response (GPN/ExpRes Roster)[1]. This roster would be comprised of vetted, capable and qualified individuals who can be called upon as International Consultants (ICs) to support UNDP’s policy and programmatic work related to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in prevention and peacebuilding and who possess demonstrated capacity in implementing MHPSS projects as part of prevention and peacebuilding.

[1] The GPN/ExpRes Roster is a recruitment and deployment mechanism which maintains technically vetted consultants across 21 profiles and 79 sub-profiles to support the work of UNDP Country Offices/units and other UNDP partner agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tasks assigned in each individual assignment may include one or more of the following:

1. Policy development, advocacy, and strategic advice:

• Contribute to the development of new policies, including through identification of trends, emerging issues, risks, challenges, and solutions on MHPSS in prevention and peacebuilding, including the specific needs of SGBV survivors;
• Provide strategic and technical advisory support, including assistance on integrating a human rights-based approach and gender mainstreaming strategies, principles and relevant toolkits;
• Identify opportunities for advocacy and resource mobilization (global/regional/country levels);
• Provide technical assistance in formulating a coherent strategy on MHPSS in prevention and peacebuilding taking into account other forms of marginalization that leaves no one behind.

2. Knowledge creation, research and documentation

• Develop research designs, questions, scope of work & undertake primary/secondary research;
• Document, manage and share lessons learned, good practices, case studies, and innovations;
• Design and implement multi-stakeholder consultation processes for testing, validation, and advocacy ensuring that a diverse range of stakeholders, including civil society and women’s organizations, are engaged;
• Map and analyse innovative programming approaches including regional/geographic specificities, SGBV trauma and psychosocial services, the use of digital tools, applications of behavioral science, the role of faith-based communities and institutions in support of integration of MHPSS in prevention and peacebuilding.
• The development of monitoring, evaluation and learning tools to effectively track and measure outcomes relating to the integration of the fields.

3. Project design, formulation, implementation & other programme related technical support

• Provide technical support to related projects throughout the project lifecycle (development, implementation, MEL), including through developing concept notes and proposals;
• Support program development for enhancing the integration of various dimensions (gender, faith, age, etc.) of MHPSS in prevention and peacebuilding to ensure that no one is left behind by UNDP’s responses;
• Develop, conduct and/or coordinate products (such as training curriculum, tools/toolkits and manuals) and events/workshops for various stakeholders.

Competencies

• Good track record in project management.
• Understanding of policy, government functioning and national processes.
• Updated familiarity on various international projects across one or more areas of expertise.
• Working knowledge of objectives-oriented project planning, or results-based management
• Leadership skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Candidates should possess the basic gender competencies including clarity on gender equality concepts, commitment to work in a gender-sensitive manner; they should be able to demonstrate ability to carry out gender analysis within specific development areas through their work experiences
• Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.
• Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet.

Required Skills and Experience