Programme Specialist (Conflict Prevention)

• Develop strategic conflict prevention initiatives at the country level, including through the deployment of Peace and Development Advisors (PDAs);
• Provide targeted assistance for specific facilitation activities jointly undertaken in non-mission settings;
• Support joint assessment, analysis, and “knowledge development” by the United Nations Department of Political Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme, in the context of support for joint country level initiatives;
• Provide short-term support for conflict and/or political analysis through deployment of advisors in priority/crisis countries;
• Develop and support the application of new skills, capacities, and tools amongst the PDA cadre and other conflict prevention specialists, including through training, knowledge management, and continued engagement with Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams in complex political situations.

• Knowledge Management; 
• Policy Positioning and Representation;
• Programme monitoring and reporting;
• Programme Support and Policy Advice. 

• Lead the development of the Joint UND-DPA Programme reports, including Annual Report, Quarterly Updates providing an overview of activities conducted and reflecting on the impact of support provided;
• Produce, store and disseminate advocacy and best practice materials working closely with PDAs, as well as relevant DPA and UNDP colleagues;
• Propose and develop new initiatives for learning, research, and guidance related to peace and development, and contribute to internal and external knowledge initiatives and networks promoting sharing lessons learnt from the work of PDAs;
• Organize and propose activities related to PDA learning, peer exchanges, and communities of practice for PDAs, including PDA induction, trainings, and other learning events;
• Lead the organization of the PDA Global Retreat held on bi-annual basis; and support coordination and planning of the ‘Montreux’ process of bi-annual retreats for Resident Coordinators and other senior UN officials;
• Provide advice on knowledge management and sharing tools and processes;
• Keep an up-to-date library of knowledge related to the thematic area and in particular new and innovative governance assessment approaches, methodologies and tools and proactively share products with team members and respond to their specific requests for information; and 
• Contribute to the development and review of knowledge products in close coordination with HQ and Regional teams by analyzing and sharing lessons learnt and programme evaluation results.

• Conduct research and analysis and draft materials to support mobilizing, fostering and strengthening strategic partnerships with DPA, PBSO, other UN entities, donors and other relevant bodies; 
• Draft and aid the development of briefings and speeches, as applicable;
• Support inter-agency coordination connected to the work of the Joint UNDP-DPA Programme;
• Prepare materials to aid in advocating the importance of the thematic area in various fora, including with UN member states and civil society, with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms; and resource mobilization efforts;
• Support team’s engagement in UN interagency coordination in relevant policy areas by providing research insight in specific thematic area; and
• Identify and maintain partnering opportunities in the area of work with relevant UN entities, leading policy institutions, academia, private sector, civil society, to strengthen the knowledge and capacity-building efforts of the Joint Programme, as well as to reinforcing the PDAs’ own capacities to support RCs/UNCTs.

• Manage communication and consultations with PDAs on reporting requirements and other requests from UN entities or partners as relevant;
• Review and synthesize PDA reports and identify common trends, opportunities, and challenges experienced by PDAs with a view to informing appropriate HQ support;
• Promote the integration of lessons learned, best practices and other operational knowledge into work processes, guidance and planning scenarios:
• Support the Programme Coordinator in programme monitoring and evaluation efforts, including monitoring the progress of the programme against the agreed outputs, milestones and targets. 

• Support and coordinate with the Programme Coordinator on day-to-day management of the Joint Programme, including with engagement with donors, organization of Technical Committee and the Steering Committee meetings;
• Advise and support greater use and leverage of resources/expertise in UNDP, DPA, and other UN entities for support to PDAs and RCs through the Joint Programme;
• Manage the Peace and Development Specialist roster at the P4 level;
• Ensure that the relevant DPA regional divisions and relevant UNDP offices are consulted, timely and appropriately, on all matters pertaining to recruitment, deployment and headquarters support to PDAs;
• Support the selection and deployment of PDAs and other interim capacities through the PDA roster;
• Liaise and coordinate with Resident Coordinators (RCs), UNDP and DPA on the PDA recruitment processes and respond to enquiries received from the RCs, UNDP, DPA and PBSO counterparts.

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

• Ability to get things done.

• Knowledge of conflict prevention and ability to apply in development and crisis situations.

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

• Ability to prepare quality reports and briefs.

• Knowledge of various programme information for research to provide recommendation and guidance to management. 

• Ability engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.  

• Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

• Knowledge of governance and peacebuilding and ability to apply in development situations.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, governance, political science, other social sciences or related disciplines.

• 5 years of professional work experience programme activities for a UN organization or another international organization, including programme management and/or coordination of inter-agency processes and partnerships on areas related conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding; 
• Experience in supporting knowledge management and sharing, including the use of knowledge platforms; 
• Knowledge and first-hand experience in supporting UN’s work in conflict prevention is highly desirable. 

• Fluency in English, both written and oral. 
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. For more information please click here and here.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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