Durable Solutions Coordinator

Addressing displacement and achieving durable solutions for all displacement affected communities (IDPs, Returnees, Host Communities), is a key priority for Somalia as reflected in the National Development Plan (NDP). It is also an essential dimension of peace-building, socio-economic transformation, poverty reduction, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the country.

Over 2.1 million people have been internally displaced due to the conflict and cyclical climatic shocks, and another estimated one million Somalis sought asylum in neighbouring countries, of which 108,500 have returned to Somalia since December 2014. Most IDPs and refugee returnees settle in unplanned and informal settlements in urban and peri-urban areas, putting pressure on already limited basic services and urban livelihood opportunities available, thus further exacerbating negative impact of the rapid urbanization of the country.

In December 2015, in a concerted effort to address issues around displacement and vol¬untary returns, the FGS and the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) launched a collective initiative with all concerned actors to tackle durable solutions in a more effective, coherent and coordinated way. This government-led and community focused “Durable Solutions Initiative” (DSI) was developed in line with the NDP and in collaboration with the UN, the World Bank, NGOs and the donor community. It provides a collective frame¬work for harmonizing durable solutions approaches and program¬ming. Professor Walter Kaelin, former Special Representative of the United Nations’ Secretary-General on the Human Rights of In¬ternally Displaced Persons, working as the Special Advisor on IDPs to the DSRSG/RC/HC for Somalia since 2015, is one of the main architects behind the DSI.

In line with the UN Secretary General’s Reform Agenda (2017) and the New Way of Working (NWOW), the DSI promotes a collective, integrated and comprehensive approach to durable solutions, through an area-based, multi-sectoral/multi-stakeholders/rights & needs based approach involving simultaneously humanitarian, development, peace and state building partners under the leadership of the government. The DSI also serves as the national implementation framework of relevant regional and global commitments, such as the Nairobi Declaration on Durable Solutions for Somali Refugees and Reintegration of Returnees in Somalia, the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, and the application of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).

In order to support the implementation of the DSI and to advise the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), the UN System and international partners on the delivery of a more integrated, coherent and effective support to the Government of Somalia towards durable solutions, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for Somalia established the function of a Durable Solutions Coordinator in 2016. A Durable Solutions Unit, composed of a DS Analyst and part time Programme Analyst, was created in September 2017 to support the work of the DS CoordinatorCoordinator, in 2016. A durable Solutions unit, composed of a DS Analyst and part time Programme Analyst, was created in September 2017 to support the work of the DS Coordinator.

Knowledge management – Support the RC, the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and UNSOM in their collective programmatic and operational efforts towards providing durable solutions for displacement affected communities (IDPs, returnees and their hosts), particularly through the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP), the UN Integrated Strategic Framework (UNSF), the Durable Solutions Initiative (DSI), and joint programming. This comprises tasks as follows:

• Provide strategic advice to the RC on all matters pertaining to durable solutions and the implementation of the DSI, including engagement with government, donors, member states and other actors;
• Act as a link between the RC and individual UN agency programmes;
• Ensure harmonization of durable solutions approaches and activities across the UN system and with other development partners, through the development, promotion and implementation of Somalia- specific DSI concepts;
• Provide technical support to UNCT/HCT/UNSOM on Durable Solutions as relevant (i.e. support the drafting of UNSF, DINA/RRF, Collective Outcomes, Protection Strategy, etc.);
• Coordinate the UNCT/HCT Durable Solutions Working Group, including preparation and chairing of meetings, promotion of knowledge sharing and capacity building within the UN system, documentation of good practices and lessons learnt to support planning and programming;
• In consultation with the RC and the Head of the integrated office, manage and lead the RCO Durable Solutions Unit, including the definition of strategic priorities and work plans;
• In collaboration with the UNCT/HCT DS working group, support the development of policies, joint analyses/planning/programming and position papers on issues related to durable solutions under the directive of the UNCT Programme Management Team (PMT) and/or RC;

Support resource mobilization activities for durable solutions activities and programmes under the directive of the UNCT and/or the RC;

• Assist the RC in the preparation and coordination of high level visits (i.e Professor Walter Kaelin, Special Advisor to the RC on IDPs) and maintain momentum around issues of displacement and durable solutions;
• Monitor and report on collective outcomes and activities of the UNCT to achieve durable solutions;
• Coordinate and support the development/dissemination of regular communication material on DSI (fact sheets, websites, briefing, etc.) in collaboration with the Communication officer;
• Perform any other task as assigned by the Resident Coordinator or Head of the RC Office

Maintain working relations with and manage information flows between and among key non-state actors including UN focal points/Agencies, INGOs, private sector, civil society and the donor community.

• Establish and maintain a network of key stakeholders, including inter alia, NGOs, donor community, IFIs, IGAD, diaspora, private sector; civil society, etc;
• Contribute to relevant policy dialogue and policy development processes, particularly the Nairobi Declaration on Durable Solutions for Somali Refugees and Reintegration of returnees in Somalia and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF);
• Actively participate in global practice networks on durable solutions and other knowledge networking forums (i.e. World Bank Displacement and Development community of practice, Global Early Recovery Cluster, etc.) and share relevant information with UN agencies and other relevant DS promoters.

Core Competencies:

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work           
• Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow        
• Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement         
• Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy and Activation

• Ability to design and implement strategic short/long term campaigns and carry out customized activations to highlight UNDP's position and support issue based advocacy.        
• Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Results based management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results               
• Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Collaboration and Partnership

• Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.  Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP   
• Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Resource Mobilization

• Ability to identify and organize programmes  and projects to implement solutions and generate resource
• Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge             
• Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Complex Adaptive Systems

• Knowledge of complex adaptive systems and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Development Aid

• Ability to enhance partnerships between donor and recipient by focusing on alleviating poverty in the long term, rather than a short term response          
• Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

• 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services;
• Work experience in crisis/post-conflict countries is essential;
• Experience in programme coordination and interagency/ multi-stakeholder coordination;
• Experience in protection programmes with in-depth knowledge of the main protection and humanitarian standards;
• Knowledge of the UN RC system and UN Missions is desirable;
• Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments;
• Previous experience in development or recovery planning is desirable;
• Familiarity with the UN, particularly the UN Reform Agenda;
• Solid experience in usage of MS Office package and web-based management systems.

Language Requirments:

Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement.

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. 

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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