Community Security and Stabilization Officer

The importance of stabilization and community security has been overwhelmingly emphasized by the communities, which are evidenced in the community perception surveys conducted across 124 communities, in 2013 followed by community need assessments in 2015. The communities also felt that unemployed youth have become potential targets for recruitment and they have gravitated towards conflicts and the possession of weapons. This is also largely due to the absence of economic opportunities, availability of small arms and their linkage to the issues of masculinity, spill-over of regional conflicts and continuation of local conflicts over resources.

Those who are highly affected with conflict carrying capacities are unemployed youth, IDPs, refugees, returnees, women, and other at-risk groups. This category of people poses a considerable threat and source of instability since they risk being drawn into – and be highly affected by - conflict. However, appropriate and durable interventions will help in stabilizing the areas hosting these populations, contribute to economic revitalization and provide alterative and sustainable livelihoods. The issue of equality of gender and socio-economic empowerment will be given a priority through mobilization of men and women and also launching interventions that could ease the social barriers.

In order to promote peace and stability, it is imperative that the above issues are addressed urgently with interventions that can stabilize at-risk and war affected communities in Blue Nile and South Kordofan States as well as fringe areas. This is done through the provision of alternative livelihoods, design of interventions that can stimulate the rural economy through innovative practices involving the communities, promoting graduated small arms control activities, and enhancing the capacities of communities to sustain recovery and stability.

In addition to above, a preventing/countering violent extremism (P/CVE) initiative, the programme design is based on the results and analysis of a study undertaken in 5-States examining drivers of violent extremism (VE) in Sudan.  The first study of its kind in Sudan, former VE members,

their families and communities make up survey respondents providing a baseline for programming. Based on the study findings, UNDP will support the development of a National Strategy and Policy for P/CVE that addresses capacity development, strategic communications and advocacy, as well as gender and youth as programme pillars.  The aims of the programme include facilitating ‘disengagement’, ‘rehabilitation’ and ‘reintegration’ to counter re-occurrence and ‘off-ramping’ to prevent recruitment and radicalization towards VE.

To support its initiatives in Sudan in undertaking the preparation, implementation and monitoring work for the Community Security and Stabilization Programme (C2SP) and in support to PVE related initiatives such as formulation of a National Strategy for PVE to be followed by an action plan for execution at national and sub national level, UNDP is seeking Community Security and Stabilization Officer.

The incumbent will be based in Khartoum and play a pivotal role in all over the activities of C2SP and PVE. The incumbent shall report to the Project Coordinator and shall discharge the following duties:

Summary of Key Functions:

• Implementation of projects strategies
• Management of assigned project activities
• Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy 
• Provision of top quality programme/project management advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management

The Community Security and Stabilization Officer will perform the following functions:

Ensures implementation of project strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Manage the C2SP/PVE team and activities in formalizing its policies and work plan when C2SP Coordinator is absent.
2. Manage Development of PVE National Strategies and capacity development of government and civil society organizations.
3.    Manage conduction of extended research ledge on PVE continuously updated and   enriched through Research Continuation, Policy and Program Development.
4. Liaise with and support the state level C2SP/PVE colleagues, government counterparts, civil society, private sector to follow up on the direction of C2SP/PVE activities.
5. Be familiar with all relevant documentation and reports made available by government counterparts and other stakeholders.

Ensures effective management of assigned projects within the thematic/sectoral areas of stabilization/DDR/DIDC focusing on quality control from implementation to completion project activities achieving the following results:

1. Identify competent Implementing Partners in the region to implement    C2SP/PVE   activities.

2. Evaluate project proposals from implementing partners and help design and formulate   MoUs with said implementing partners in the designated areas.
3. Design briefing sessions and simple written material explaining in local languages the programme’s objectives to host communities and civil society.
4. Play a pro-active role in keeping Management aware of developments including     existing or planned activities such as Livelihoods, Governance and Rule of Law, or Recovery and Reconstruction projects, which may be relevant to the C2SP   project.

5. . Facilitate field missions and provide translation for the expatriate team.

6. Be instrumental in gathering relevant information and figures, and write concise briefing notes in English on relevant matters.

7.  Compile and share information with colleagues locally as well as between the field and     Khartoum office

8. Any other task, as per the international consultant’s request.

Ensures provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Identification of sources of information related to project issues. Identification and    synthesis    of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to project objectives.
2. Development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
3. Sound contributions to knowledge building of staff and partners
4. Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

1. Ability to identify and anticipate difficulties, as well as seek guidance.
2. Understanding of community security, stabilization, and community/rural development.
3. Ability to organize and complete assignments within deadlines.
4. Effective verbal and written skills; ability to draft short memos and conduct presentations.
5. Integrity and impartiality, ability to work with local community, stakeholders and colleagues of various origins.
6. Ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials, proactively seek guidance and make clear recommendations to line managers.
7. The candidate must be familiar with the designated region.

Education:

• Master’s degree in development studies, management, agronomy/agriculture, or any relevant field. A first level university degree (Bachelor) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience.

Experience:

• Two years of relevant work experience in development studies, management, agronomy/agriculture, or any relevant field. (with master degree).
• Four years of relevant work experience with community security/stabilization/community development programmes with (Bachelor degree).

Language :

• The candidate must be fluent in oral and written English AND Arabic.