Social Cohesion/Stability Analyst

Office/Unit/Project Description  

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The Social Cohesion and Inclusion Support for Refugees in Türkiye Project aims to strengthen social cohesion in Türkiye by supporting the effective implementation of the national harmonization strategy. It enhances opportunities for meaningful participation in social, economic, and civic life, with a particular focus on women. Through a combination of institutional support, community-based initiatives, and targeted services, the project contributes to a more harmonious society and improves well-being for Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTP), International Protection Status Holders and Applicants (IPSHA), and Turkish Citizens. Within this framework, Outcome IV focuses on reducing cultural and social barriers that affect refugees’ participation in Turkish society, including discrimination and misinformation. Under Output 4.1, the Project will strengthen social cohesion through evidence-based actions, including a social barriers analysis, implementation of good practice models at local level, information and cohesion programmes in target areas, capacity development of service providers, and strategic awareness-raising/communication to promote positive narratives and peaceful coexistence.

The Social Cohesion/Stability Analyst will support the design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of interventions under Outcome IV / Output 4.1, ensuring that all activities are evidence-based, gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive and aligned with national policy frameworks and UNDP principles. 

Scope of Work 

The Social Cohesion/Stability Analyst will be responsible for the technical leadership and day-to-day implementation support of the project’s social cohesion/stability programming primarily under Outcome IV / Output 4.1, supporting evidence-based design and delivery of community engagement, inclusive service delivery capacity development, and information/awareness interventions in coordination with partners and field teams.

1. Coordinate effective project planning and implementation.

• Develop project planning process and ensure the work plan and a fully costed budget are prepared based on sound capacity assessments and in accordance with UNDP POPP/PPM Guidelines. 
• Coordinate / manage the day-to-day activities of the assigned programme and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives and results specified in project document. Provide subject matter technical advice and support and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified constraints, and to high-quality standards.
• Facilitate establishment of interactive and inclusive platforms for implementation (e.g., consultations, community dialogues, local engagement mechanisms) and collaborate with programme units and project teams to ensure integration of cross-cutting priorities (gender equality, inclusion, safeguarding, conflict sensitivity/do-no-harm) in project activities and outputs.
• Ensure implementation activities are in alignment with UNDP policy and programme management procedures and all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows.
• Ensure operational management of assigned programme including through timely procurement of goods, services and/or infrastructure (as relevant), effective management of human, technical and financial resources, etc.
• Design and implement social cohesion/stability interventions under Outcome IV / Output 4.1, including evidence generation, community engagement initiatives, capacity development activities for relevant institutions/service providers, and information/awareness-raising interventions, ensuring coherence across the programme.
• Design and roll-out of good practice social cohesion initiatives ensuring they are locally appropriate, participatory, conflict-sensitive/do-no-harm, and deliver measurable engagement outcomes (including agreed inclusion targets such as participation of SuTP/IPSHA and women).
• Coordinate closely with UNDP Communications/Visibility colleagues to ensure cohesion-related communication remains measured, evidence-based and results-oriented, and aligned with project sensitivity and agreed review/coordination arrangements with key counterparts.
• Provide technical inputs to planning and operational processes, including preparation/review of TORs and technical specifications for contracted services and products related to the programme, and support contract/performance management from a technical standpoint in coordination with Operations/Procurement colleagues.

2. Establish partnerships and open channels of communication.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, municipalities/local administrations, civil society organizations, community-based/refugee-led groups, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies.
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners. 
• Support community engagement and dialogue processes that strengthen cooperation and trust between SuTP/IPSHA and Turkish citizens, including facilitating coordination around pilot initiatives and information sessions in target areas.
• Coordinate closely with relevant counterparts on sensitive engagement and communication aspects of social cohesion programming, ensuring alignment with agreed protocols and a conflict-sensitive approach.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development through technical inputs related to social cohesion/stability programming, lessons learned, and evidence from implementation.

3.Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

• Review the results framework and update the indicators, baselines, and targets of the assigned programme. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting. 
• Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards. Identify, analyze, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Conduct field visits to project location sites.
• Liaise with the Finance team to ensure administrative requirements, budgets and use of financial resources are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
• Prepare corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements.
• Establish and maintain practical monitoring tools and documentation systems for Output 4.1 deliverables (means of verification), including tracking of completion of the social barriers analysis and uptake of recommendations; delivery and participation of social cohesion initiatives (planned eight initiatives, reaching at least 1,000 people with agreed inclusion parameters); training delivery for approximately 1,000 public officials/service providers; information sessions reaching approximately 8,000 refugees; and awareness-raising/communication outputs.
• Support field monitoring and feedback collection from communities and service providers to identify implementation challenges early (including discrimination/misinformation risks) and propose corrective measures in coordination with the Project Manager and partners.
• Ensure technical records are complete and audit-ready (e.g., consultation records, attendance lists, training outputs, monitoring visit reports, communication products and supporting evidence), in line with UNDP and donor requirements.
• Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.

4.Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area. 
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff. 
• Support development of training content/materials and practical guidance tools for inclusive service delivery, intercultural communication and conflict-sensitive approaches, in coordination with relevant colleagues and partners.
• Document and package lessons learned and good practices from implemented cohesion initiatives into usable knowledge products (e.g., short briefs/notes/compendium-type outputs) to support replication and sustainability.
• Contribute to evidence-based advocacy and awareness-raising by translating validated findings (e.g., from the social barriers analysis and community feedback) into accessible content in coordination with UNDP Communications, while respecting sensitivity, dignity and agreed review processes.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Social Cohesion/Stability Analyst works under the general supervisionof the Project Manager, and collaborates closely with the Project Team, Crisis Preparedness, Response and Resilience Programme Team and implementing partners.

Competencies

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