Programme Specialist, Peace-Building, Khartoum, Sudan

PROGRAMME SPECIALIST, PEACE-BUILDING

Location : Khartoum, SUDAN Application Deadline : 20-Jan-12 Type of Contract : FTA International Post Level : P-3 Languages Required :

English   Starting Date :

(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Mar-2012

Duration of Initial Contract : 1 Year, renewable

Background

The United Nation’s Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2009-2012 states that “a climate of instability and competition, often over scarce natural resources , has been at the core of the challenge to peace-building in Sudan. Delays in Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) implementation and the continued existence of armed groups; disputes over control of oil-producing areas and their revenues; and breakdown of traditional conflict management mechanisms may put the delivery of peace dividend s at risk. Moreover, conflict has left complex and highly sensitive issues of land tenure and ownership.” Consequently, consolidating peace and stability represents the overarching goal of the UNDAF.

Within the overall context of Sudan, the Three Special Protocol Areas – Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei, lying along the north-south border – face particularly acute and complex challenges in progressing towards goals of sustainable peace and poverty reduction even as they are recognized as critical for regional stability. Recent academic research and UNDP field experience have made evident that violence, even in war, is not restricted to the pursuit of political goals. Much violence occurs due to the breakdown of law and order, competition over natural resources , exploitative livelihood strategies, and inter-communal disputes. Such violence often persists after the signature of peace agreements. Additionally, state government strategic plans highlight inequitable distribution of basic services, weakness in government institutions, and residual communal conflicts from the civil war as some of the main obstacles facing development. Plans also stress the need to encourage civil society organisations, village development committees, and the native administration to play an active and effective role in addressing local conflict.

UNDP launched the one-year Conflict Reduction Programme (CRP) inception phase in Southern Kordofan State in October 2009 with the objective to pilot a new approach towards the prevention and resolution of local conflict; in particular, around flashpoints and issues with the potential to escalate and threaten the stability of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. With demonstrated results and implementation modalities, this project is now positioned for scaled-up application in the Three Protocol Areas over the coming two-year period.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator (Three Areas)/Joint Conflict Reduction Programme (JCRP) Manager in close coordination with a CPRU Programme Officer and Peace and Development Advisor (PDA), the Project Specialist (Peacebuilding Specialist) provides technical inputs for the implementation of the Joint Conflict Reduction Programme (JCRP).  S/he will act under the guidance of UNDP Senior Management and in close coordination with a UNDP CPRU Programme Officer and through the Regional Coordinator (Three Areas)/JCRP Programme Manager, to refer major executive project decisions to the Project Board.

Technical support:

• Provide technical review and guidance to improvement of quality and sustainability of peace processes supported by JCRP, informed by global and regional best practices and lessons learned.
• Provide technical review and guidance to the establishment of an effective project monitoring and evaluation system.
• Lead all conflict analysis activities, including the development of an Early Warning system.
• Produce and review project strategy and workplans, in collaboration with the Regional Coordinator (Three Areas)/JCRP Programme Manager.

Training:

• Lead the development and implementation of trainings/ workshops on conflict sensitive approaches, peace process design, participatory consultations and conflict analysis for UNDP and IOM staff, key project stakeholders and partners.
• Lead the design of all trainings and workshops on conflict sensitive approaches including Do No Harm for all existing and future initiatives.
• Lead the facilitation and implementation of all trainings and workshops on conflict sensitive approaches including ‘Do No Harm’ for all existing and future initiatives.

Project development:

• Assist with development and finalization of project concept and proposal documents, including presentations to potential donors, as requested.
• Support project startup activities in Abyei, Blue Nile State and other areas as required.

Knowledge Management :

• Contribute to the knowledge management and development of knowledge products related to mainstreaming conflict sensitivity in programme activities.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treat all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promote knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
• Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, act on learning plan and apply 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 interact across a wide spectrum of people, as well as at the meeting table within managerial and government offices.

Management and Leadership

• Build strong relationships with clients, focus on impact and result for the client and respond positively to feedback.
• Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Lead team effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.
• Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

Communication and Networking:

• Excellent oral communications skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interest of varied actors.
• Excellent writing skills, with analytical capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports \.
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Minimum master’s degree in conflict management , international relations , security studies, international development or a related field.

Experience:

• Fully conversant with security and socio-economic development trends at regional and local levels.          Experience of working together with UNDP’s business and project administration systems, encompassing financial and human resources management .
• Knowledge of and/or experience of the nature of local conflicts in Sudan.
• 5 years of relevant experience in project management and policy advisory services in areas related to conflict management and peace-building. Significant and progressive management experience, in particular with administration of small grants .
• Skills in facilitating consultations, workshops, and grass-roots engagements.
• Experience in conducting and applying political and conflict analysis in post-conflict environments.

Language:

• Excellent spoken and written English and communication skills.
• Knowledge of Arabic an advantage.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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