Senior Peace and Development Advisor

PDAs have a primary reporting line to the UN Resident Coordinator, and secondary reporting line to DPPA-DPO regional division and UNDP Resident Representative. Under their guidance, and close collaboration with the country team, the PDA will:

1. Provide strategic and analytical support to the RC in his/her relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership, including through:

• Close liaison with key regional players such as PIF and others;
• Participating, on behalf of the RCs, in relevant regional and national fora and representing the UN system where necessary;
• Providing substantive leadership for strategic initiatives on conflict sensitivity, conflict prevention and dialogue, including convening, on behalf of the RC, dialogue processes; assisting social cohesion/conflict resolution activities in high risk communities; building skills for negotiation and mediation for leadership at local government and community level, and for the relevant branches of government as deemed necessary; establishing and extending the capacities of networks of mediators and facilitators at the regional, national and local levels;
• Under the direction of the RC, engage with other regional and national institutions and initiatives in order to promote regional approaches and build regional capacity on peacebuilding and conflict prevention and other relevant efforts. In some circumstances, these interactions may be on behalf of the RC with senior officials particularly at the regional level;
• Provide continuous analysis to RC and UNCTs as well as to UN headquarters on regional and national political developments, with a view to identifying appropriate ‘entry points’ and recommending appropriate strategic responses for the UN system;
• Provide support to the development and implementation of community and national-level initiatives based on regional strategies to strengthen confidence in local development capacities, including through the promotion of local dialogue capacities for non-violent conflict resolution at local and/or national levels.
• In close consultation with the RC, maintain regular communication with UN headquarters, in particular UNDP and DPPA.

2. Identify areas of strategic and programmatic engagement with regional stakeholders, and support the RC in the preparation of the UN response to government requests, related to peacebuilding, conflict prevention, social cohesion, and governance at the national levels:

• Lead related social cohesion activities such as: designing high-level dialogue processes; facilitating national multi-stakeholder processes; skills building for negotiation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes; support to capacities of networks of mediators and facilitators at national and local levels; strengthen women’s initiatives and groups in social cohesion and non-violent resolution of disputes processes; undertake/ support confidence-building measures; training and capacity-building workshops for national stakeholders at all levels; and other inter-group process, as required;
• Undertake necessary activities to build/strengthen/apply/sustain national capacities/ institutions/ processes to prevent violence and mainstream conflict prevention interventions throughout the work of the UNCT;
• Identify and engage civil society actors across the Pacific region working in peacebuilding and conflict prevention to support the UNCT’s work.

3. Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key regional, international and national actors and development partners:

• Establish and maintain networks and strategic partnerships at the regional and national levels for conflict prevention and peacebuilding related strategies and initiatives in the Pacific;
• Liaise closely with key regional and national stakeholders from Governments and civil society and key international actors to identify entry points, foster dialogue and strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships on conflict prevention, peacebuilding and social cohesion initiatives.
• Maintain close liaison with relevant donors and other actors supporting UNDP’s and other agencies’ conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts. These interactions may be on behalf of the RC with senior regional and national officials;
• Support the RC in mobilizing resources for conflict prevention, peacebuilding and social cohesion initiatives;

4. Strengthen the capacity of UNDP and UNCTs to undertake conflict analysis and mainstream conflict sensitivity and conflict prevention strategies into regular programming:

• Provide analytical and strategic support to UNCTs based on regional and national trends and strategies for peacebuilding and conflict prevention;
• Define/implement strategies for identifying entry points for mainstreaming of conflict prevention and conflict sensitivity in the UNCT, including within the framework of common country planning processes (UNPS/UNSDCF, CPD, etc.) based on linkages with regional strategies for reduction of conflict and violence;
• Conduct training for UN Country Team staff and key national partners on conflict analysis, conflict and violence prevention and/or conflict-sensitive development.

IV. IMPACT OF RESULTS

• Expanded partnerships with regional counterparts in government, civil society, academia, and think-tanks/ research institutions (including senior intergovernmental and civic officials);
• Enhanced capacity of UNCTs, regional and national partners for context and peacebuilding analysis;
• Enhanced cohesiveness in national strategies for peacebuilding, as well as conflict and violence prevention with stronger linkages to regional level strategies;
• Relevant international comparative experiences with regard to conflict prevention, peacebuilding and multi-sectoral security reform adopted into regional strategies and implemented by national stakeholders;
• Enhanced strategic capacity of UNCTs and RC to contribute effectively to the sustained development and application of regional and national capacities for sustaining peace;
• Strengthened capacities at the community, local government, national and regional levels for dialogue, social cohesion, mediation, facilitation, prevention of violent responses to disputes, confidence and peacebuilding.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN/UNDP/DPPA;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Good knowledge of UN/UNDP/DPPA rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices;
• Good understanding of the UN system,
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy analysis and advice;
• Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder processes and negotiation;
• Excellent analytical skills. Experience and specialist knowledge in building national capacities in good governance and building national reconciliation;
• Proven high-level facilitation, training, networking, coordination, team-building, consensus-building and organizational skills;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Possesses specialist knowledge in the area of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, social cohesion, dialogue and governance reform or related areas, as well as in-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with internal and external parties in a multi-cultural environment;
• In-depth knowledge of situation in the Pacific at the regional and national level;
• Ability to advise and oversee formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and programmes;
• Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
• Proven ability to incorporate relevant international comparative practices into his/her work;
• Experience in developing UN conflict prevention and peacebuilding strategies.

Management Competencies:

• Excellent and proven team-building, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills. Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
• Very strong leadership capacities to guide dialogue activities among mixed groups;
• Strong communication and advocacy skills;
• Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle and delegate multiple tasks;
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;

Behavioral Competencies:

• Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic and sound judgment;
• Builds strong relationships with partners, focusing on impact and results;
• Demonstrates creativity, openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Demonstrated objectivity, integrity and impartiality;
• Possesses positive and constructive attitudes to work;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development.

Education:

• Advanced university degree in political science, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in political analysis, policy, and strategy development, peacebuilding and/or conflict prevention in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
• Prior experience working in, and excellent knowledge of the Pacific, including relevant sub-regional organisations, is highly desirable;
• Experience in developing and implementing dialogue, conflict prevention and peacebuilding initiatives and strategies.
• Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior levels of government, United Nations, and donors;
• Experience in programme and project  development in multilateral setting required;
• Experience working with the United Nations or other inter-governmental organisation, particularly in a conflict/post conflict/negotiation context, would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent standard of written and spoken English.

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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