Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and highly negative impact on social cohesion, resilience, livelihoods, community security, and the rule of law. In 2015 the Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP), a multi-donor funded framework programme was formulated and launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and in cooperation with a number of partnering UN agencies (UN Women, FAO, UNFPA).

The RPP was designed to respond to and mitigate the causes and effects of the conflict. The RPP involves three pillars for action:

• restoration of infrastructure and economic recovery;
• support to local governance and related capacity building;
• social resilience and peacebuilding.

As an area-based programme specifically developed for the conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine, the RPP addresses the key stabilization, peacebuilding, economic and governance priority needs in eastern Ukraine following the start of the conflict.

Component ІІІ of RPP «Community Security and Social Cohesion» (CSSC) aims to reach the goal of Enhanced community security for people in conflict-affected areas, with a focus on IDPs and host communities through enhancing community security; civic mobilization and empowerment of communities; reconciliation and restoration of social cohesion.

CSSC approach is being implemented through Community Security and Social Cohesion Working Groups as open dialogue platforms which are inclusive and representative of the respected communities. CSSC Mobilization Methodology involves the use of participatory methods and involving wide range of stakeholders to look for and implement community-based solutions for community security, civil protection and social cohesion.

Although UNDP has had a number of interventions aimed at addressing the security and peacebuilding challenges in eastern Ukraine, development challenges remain. Citizens living in those conflict affected areas and in particular close to the contact line have the need and the right:

• to have effective mechanisms for transforming and resolving conflicts: these mechanisms can range from those that generate early warning, to alternative mechanisms as well as those that bolster citizens’ initiatives and official institutions;
• to feel secure in their community: this implies that relevant conflict-sensitive law enforcement and security services are in place at local level and are delivered effectively and efficiently;
• to be more engaged in creating a secure, peaceful and stable community: this implies that citizens play a key rule in enhancing security in their communities, through increased participation and improved communication with law enforcement agencies.

The Project, working at the community level, but closely-linked to national and regional structures and reform processes, will operate in four regions: the conflict-affected Oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk, and Dnipropetrovsk and Zhytomyr oblasts.

To address and tackle the above- mentioned challenges UN is implementing Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP) in Ukraine.

UNDP invites applications from highly-qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist (ADR Specialist) to provide support to the implementation of the conflict transforming and prevention related Project activities in the justice, law enforcement, community security and social cohesion areas.

Organizational setting

The project will be managed through the Area Office in Kramatorsk. The ADR Specialist will be based in the Kramatorsk Office and will be supervised by the Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist). The Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist will provide advisory and technical support on ADR, conflict transformation and prevention workstreams of the Component. He/she will be responsible for the   implementation of all alternative dispute resolution initiatives in Donetsk, Luhansk, Dnipropetrovsk and Zhytomyr oblasts under the Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme in close cooperation and coordination with Social Cohesion Specialist and Social Cohesion Associate.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist will be responsible for: 

• Delivering the specific activities envisaged in the Project (and in other Projects under Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme umbrella) in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution in collaboration with the project’s Social Cohesion Specialist/Associate, Rule of Law and Community Security Specialist/Associate, Community Mobilization Specialist, Civil Society Development Specialist, Community Mobilization Officers;
• Supporting the work performed under UN RPP’s Alternative Dispute Resolution workstream as well as other outputs, by developing and forging partnerships with project and national and regional sector stakeholders (civil society and government); 
• Implementing community-based and gender-responsive approaches for ADR solution at the local level;
• Ensuring the mainstreaming of ADR concepts, pilots and solutions into and from regional and national reforms, strategies and road maps.

Specifically, she/he will perform the following tasks:

Providing support to the implementation of the alternative dispute resolution related Project activities:

Provision of advisory services:

• Collect info (disaggregated by sex, age, and other identifiers), conduct desk reviews and research on the use ADR in Ukraine and abroad;
• Prepare regular updates (written and verbal) on Project progress in meeting ADR targets, including challenges and lessons learned;
• Prepare analytical papers on reforms in area of ADR implementation at local level;
• Review and provide technical inputs on research commissioned by the Project on topics relevant to ADR, social cohesion, gender equality and rule of law.

Project planning and implementation:

• Provide substantial inputs to Project planning, implementation and monitoring, including drafting of relevant Project documents (memos, briefs, talking points, meeting debriefs, minutes), monitoring frameworks, analytical reports and other reporting requirements in the area of ADR.

Capacity building of the stakeholders:

• Strengthen the capacities of local, regional and national actors on the use of ADR;
• Promote skills for achieving the gender equality agenda with partners and beneficiaries;
• Support the capacity development of community mediators;
• Support the development of a platform for mediators for exchanging best practices;
• Pilot other forms of alternative dispute resolution aside from mediation at local level;
• Support the development of the strategies for introduction of ADR at the regional and local levels in target locations;
• Support national institutions to develop and implement action plans which strengthen social cohesion, access to justice and community security through and by the means of ADR;
• Coordinate implementation of the Project’s small-grants facility by assessing proposals related to the ADR.

Facilitation of the strategic partnerships:

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with local civil society and community groups to facilitate project implementation, as well as identify issues, risks, priorities, and opportunities that support effective project monitoring and implement small grant activities;
• Liaise with Project partners and facilitate communication on Project-related activities including organizing joint thematic learning and networking events on ADR topics;
• Initiate, support and coordinate establishment of intra- and inter-regional networks of all actors/experts working on ADR in community security, access to justice and social cohesion;
• Create and facilitate a strong connection and experience sharing on expert level and organizational level with national and foreign organizations and networks working on ADR in community security and social cohesion.

Knowledge management and communication of results:

• Ensure the collection of project monitoring data (disaggregated by sex, age, and other identifiers) on a regular basis and issue updates on activities in the ADR area (conduct research, make analysis, process statistical data, draft conclusions and recommendations) including changes in legislation and national or regional strategies or action plans;
• Monitor the key interventions of the project on ADR particularly for vulnerable groups such as IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), ex-combatants, children, the elderly, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV);
• Communicate results based on corporate principles of gender-responsive communications and non-discriminatory language.

Support to the project management and implementation:

• Support the Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist and Community Security and Social Cohesion Coordinator to develop necessary documentation (concept notes, briefs, fundraising notes and prospects) to  operationalize and steer programmatic initiatives and activities;
• Provide inputs into regular Project reports to the donor and M&E activities;
• Contribute to Project external communication by providing substantive input for press releases and information notes, producing news write ups, maintaining thematic blogging and social media accounts, etc.;
• Support the work of Social Cohesion Specialist, Social Cohesion Associate on alternative dispute resolution on the ground; 
• Perform other duties as required.

Corporate competencies:

• Leadership;
• Communication;
• Delivery;
• Innovation;
• Demonstrate/safeguard ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Encourage and participate in open communication in the team, communicate effectively;
• Create synergies through self-control;
• Manage conflict;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender equality and zero tolerance for sexual harassment or any discriminatory behaviors.

​Functional competencies:

• Excellent writing, communication and organization skills;
• Excellent computer skills (including, MS Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.);
• Sound knowledge of alternative dispute resolution dynamics, trends, and tendencies in Ukraine and beyond;
• Knowledge of the international and national ADR and human rights framework;
• Knowledge of international best practice and standards regarding alternative dispute resolution;
• Ability to set priorities, meet specific objectives, use political judgment and knowledge;
• Good interpersonal skills, diligence, open mindedness, and dedication;
• Excellent team and networking skills.

Measurable output of the work assignment:

• Data on project activities and results in establishing/piloting ADR mechanisms gathered and reported regularly;
• Donors/partners visits are initiated, well organized and facilitated;
• Concept notes, advisory notes, memos, meeting debriefs, topical briefs, and activity plans produced;
• Local ADR mechanisms established/continued with regular input on project progress;
• Substantial support to the project activities provided;
• Topical news-feeds regularly produced and streamlined;
• All assignments performed in a quality and timely manner.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

• Project analytical materials are timely prepared and disseminated;
• Programmatic activities in alternative dispute resolution area are duly overseen, timely enhanced, and properly reported on.

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in law, international relations, political science, social science or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in conflict prevention/transformation area including 2 years of practical experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution, mediation/dialogue or related area is required;
• Experience in community based development or related area and/or experience with civil society organizations and governmental institutions would be a strong asset;
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international technical assistance or development organization would be an asset;
• Experience in preparing action plans, and conducting research is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.