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Senior UN Advisor

Lashio

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Lashio
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • SENIOR UN ADVISOR
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Myanmar stands at a crossroads in its history. Political, economic, legislative and administrative reforms and peace-building initiatives since 2011 deeply impact Myanmar’s interactions with internal and external actors, including the United Nations (UN). The transitions that Myanmar is experiencing bring large opportunities as well as challenges such as armed conflicts and displacement of people. 
The situation in the northern part of Shan State is highly complicated with the presence of a myriad of armed groups including a number of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and militias. Clashes in the areas have involved fighting between the Myanmar Military, militia groups and EAOs, as well as between EAOs themselves. Close to 9,000 people are currently in situations in protracted displacement, spread across 32 camps or camp-like settings in northern Shan. Tens of thousands of others have been temporarily displaced from their homes in recent years, in many case multiple times, due to sudden outbreaks of fighting. Against a backdrop of protracted but volatile conflict and repeated temporary displacements, civilians face a host of very serious protection concerns, including forced recruitment, human trafficking, and civilian casualties from landmines. Armed conflicts in the area also impact regular livelihood activities of the local population and socio-economic conditions. 
To respond to the complicated multi-faceted situation in northern Shan State, organizations of the UN system are looking at comprehensively supporting solutions to the immediate needs and root causes of the situation in the State through a nexus approach and in line with international norms and standards. Nexus programming to northern Shan State should be provided with full regard of conflict and context sensitivity and in full consultation with the State Government, local communities, local and international humanitarian partners and other national and international stakeholders. A Senior UN Advisor will be based in Lashio to facilitate the coordination of nexus activities and support coherence across the pillars of the UN’s engagement. The incumbent will report to UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) or his designate and provide strategic advice to the UN Country Team (UNCT). S/he will provide leadership in the region on behalf of the UN RCO, coordinate development activities of UN agencies, and, working in close collaboration with UNOCHA and other humanitarian actors, facilitate smooth and seamless cooperation and complementary between humanitarian and development support, as well as links between this support and the work of peacebuilding actors. The incumbent will also lead strategic engagement with the State government and other national and local stakeholders on matters pertaining to programming through a nexus approach on behalf of the UNRC and the UNCT. S/he will ensure ongoing regular consultations between the UN agencies and donor partners, as well as between the UN agencies and the civil society counterparts. In the discharge of her/his duties the incumbent will be supported by UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Yangon and by UN RCO staff based in northern Shan State.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Resident (RC) or his designate and in close collaboration with the UN Country Team and UN staff working in northern Shan State, the Senior Advisor for northern Shan State will have the following main functions and responsibilities:
  • Development planning and coordination including for the Japan Supplementary Budget programme (JSBP); 
  • Partnership building, stakeholder consultations and communication;
  • Engagement with peacebuilding actors
  • Support to the Human Security System in northern Shan State.
 
Partnership building, stakeholder consultations and communication
  • Provide strategic and analytical support to the RC and the UNCT in building their relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership in northern Shan State. Regularly meet with such stakeholders on behalf of the UNCT and/or RC;
  • Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key actors and development partners in northern Shan State;
  • Explore options for establishing and strengthening partnerships with the private sector in northern Shan State;
  • Ensure extensive stakeholder consultations on the development and implementation of an overall Development Plan in northern Shan State and, as requested, be a resource for other stakeholder consultations and activities;
  • In coordination with the RCO in Yangon, facilitate and coordinate the preparation and implementation of a specific communications strategy on development assistance in northern Shan State;
  • Carry out the above responsibilities with a view to enhancing the understanding of and listening to, the grievances between various communities.
Development Planning and Coordination
  • Support, facilitate and communicate the definition and role of the UN and wider international development community role in northern Shan State;
  • Support the UNCT in facilitating consultative, transparent and participatory development needs assessments and other analytical work to help determine the UNCT’s strategy and priorities in northern Shan State, in line with a UNCT strategy and Government priorities;
  • Support the UNCT and its partners in planning and coordinating the implementation of activities under the JSBP and under a northern Shan State specific development plan to ensure coherence and create synergies within the UN system as well as with other actors present in the field;
  • Establish and lead a development coordination mechanism in Northern Shan State among the various stakeholders including UN agencies, INGOs, government authorities, civil society and bilateral and multilateral development partners;
  • Work closely with OCHA and humanitarian coordination structures to ensure seamless and complementary cooperation between humanitarian aid and development assistance where appropriate;
  • As requested, represent the RC and UNCT in coordination or other meetings with a wide range of stakeholders;
  • On behalf of the RC and UNCT, lead on resolving issues with government and other stakeholders in order to ensure smooth implementation of development activities;
  • Guide knowledge management effort on development, humanitarian and peace related activities in northern Shan State, including by streamlining information flows and maintaining a current database on international assistance.
Engagement with peacebuilding actors
  • Support enhanced engagement between the UN system and actors involved in peacebuilding efforts. 
Support to a Human Security System in northern Shan State
  • Be the focal point in northern Shan State for coordinating inputs into the northern Shan Human Security System comprising ongoing contextual analysis and an early warning/early action component; the continuing context analysis includes analysis on political developments and conflict dynamics with a view to identifying appropriate entry points for conflict prevention and recommending appropriate strategic responses for the UN system; coordinate closely with the RCO in Yangon in this regard;
  • Build and keep up to a date a stakeholder analysis and mapping of key stakeholders in northern Shan State;
  • Establish and maintain networks and strategic partnerships for conflict prevention, management, mitigation and response;
  • Identify areas of programmatic or other engagement and support the RC and the UNCT in the preparation of the UN response to government requests related to conflict prevention, dialogue, early warning and early action;
  • Provide substantive leadership for strategic initiatives on conflict prevention including convening on behalf of the RC and the UNCT dialogue processes; assisting conflict resolution activities in conflict-affected communities; building skills for negotiation and mediation for all stakeholders; establishing and extending the capacities of networks of mediators and facilitators at the state and local levels.
Impact of Results
 
The results of the work of the Senior Advisor for northern Shan State greatly impact on the standing and reputation of UN in the country. When requested by the RC, the Senior Advisor represents UN in international and national fora, liaises and interacts on behalf of UN with external clients and partners including government, media, civil society as well as other international organizations. The work of the Senior Advisor will lead to improved functioning of the RCO and improved coordination within the UN system.
 

Competencies

Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 6: Exercises stakeholder-centered design approaches for office / programme / division
 
 
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 6: Ensures teams are resourced for success  and empowered to deliver
 
 
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfactionLevel 
6: Guides substantive specialists / teams and expands credibility and innovation capacity
 
 
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 6: Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen
 
 
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 6: Accepts accountability for the outcomes of programme delivery and facilitates improvement and innovation in the delivery of products and services
 
Technical/Functional
Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx
and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information
 
 
Civil Society Engagement 
Knowledge to create and implement civil society initiatives and apply across UN's development work
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Crisis Assessment 
Ability to use methods, tools and regional analysis to determine impact of various elements for crisis and post crisis situations
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Strategic thinking/Visioning
Ability to analyse the organization’s value proposition and shape visionary/long term plans.  Use insight to identify target audiences and partners and to inform communication objectives, messages and solutions. 
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Management and Coordination 
Ability to manage and coordinate campaigns and people with inspiration. Believe in and promote diversity in the workplace and reshaping the workforce to meet need.
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Advocacy and Activations 
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. 
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Knowing your audience 
Ability to use a range of techniques and intelligence to develop and implement customized initiatives to target varied audiences to meet UN's objectives.
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Crisis Governance 
Knowledge of Crisis Governance concepts and principles and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Gender and Institutional Development
Knowledge of systems for gender mainstreaming and capacity development and interagency collaboration and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Substantive Networking
Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions, and think tanks
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Partnerships 
Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Relationship Management 
Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Representation 
Ability to productively share UN knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues)
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Substantive positioning of UN 
Knowledge of global institutions (such as the UN, IFIs), processes (such as G20 and various UN initiatives), good grasp of UN’s niche, and ability to engage and foster strong networks with those institutions
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Security Risk Management 
Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test security plans
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Knowledge Management 
Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 
 
Complex Adaptive Systems 
Knowledge of complex adaptive systems and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Advanced degree (Master) in international development studies, law, political science, economics, social science, international relations, public policy, communications or another relevant subject.  A first-level university degree with in combination two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.  A first-level university degree with in combination two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
  • At least 10 years senior level relevant work experience in development coordination, humanitarian coordination and/or transitional operations and/or conflict prevention.  At least six years working experience in the field, ideally in a complex conflict or post-conflict setting;
  • Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior levels of government, United Nations, and donors;
  • Proven strategic vision with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities;
  • Politically astute with demonstrated experience in stakeholder analysis and engagement;
  • Proven ability and experience in working in challenging environments.  Expertise in developing strategies to develop stakeholder engagement plans and relevant response planning to reduce such tension;
  • Extensive experience within the UN system, procedures and operational activities for development and humanitarian coordination in transitional settings;
  • Previous experience in preparing long term development plans and/or conflict prevention initiatives will be considered a plus;
  • Excellent knowledge of and practical experience in development, humanitarian, and peace nexus approach and programming, is an advantage;
  • Previous work experience in South-East Asia, particularly in Myanmar, would be an asset.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in oral and written English is essential;
  • Knowledge of local languages will be considered as an advantage.
 

Disclaimer

UN is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

Only those candidates in whose qualifications and experience the Organization has further interest will be contacted for subsequent interview(s).

UNDP regrets its inability to reply individually or attend to telephone or e-mail queries on the advertised posts.

 

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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