Peace and Development Officer (National Position) NOB

The joint UNDP-DPPA programme on building national capacities for conflict prevention is an initiative that has made a ground-breaking contribution in bridging the gap between political engagement and development assistance in pursuit of preventing conflict and sustaining peace. In its new phase (2019-2023), the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme will further strengthen the analytical capacities of national stakeholders and the UN system in support of Member States’ efforts to advance policy and programmatic coherence on conflict prevention and support strategies for sustaining peace. 

The deployment of Peace and Development Advisors has been the primary instrument of the Joint Programme to provide capacity for Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to support national partners in dialogue and national or local mediation processes, the establishment and operationalization of national infrastructures, and mechanisms for peace; and other initiatives aimed at sustaining peace.

In an effort to ensure that PDAs are better equipped and empowered to deliver on their mandates, the Joint Programme has established in a number of contexts small ‘Peace and Development teams’ where a national Peace and Development Officer provides reinforced capacity to the PDA’s engagement in support of the RCOs (Resident Coordinators Office) and UNCTs (UN Country Teams) in the area of conflict prevention and sustaining peace. There current cadre includes 120 Peace and Development Advisors deployed globally, including 40 national positions.

Country context – Bolivia

Violent and open conflicts erupted in Bolivia in the events surrounding the presidential elections of 2019. Their consequences have led to social and political polarization and mistrust and can still be felt today. In agreement with the Government, the UN is currently implementing the second phase of the UN initiative for the Consolidation of Peace , which consists of UN support in three pillars: 1. Electoral assistance 2. Human rights 3. Promotion of dialogue.  Through these efforts the UN aims to strengthen national capacities for prevention and consolidation of peace.

The Peace and Development Officer works under the direct supervision and guidance of the PDA will provide substantive support in three main areas of activity, including:

1. Assist with research, information-gathering, and analysis with specific focus on supporting and promoting peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
2. Identify entry-points and support inclusive and conflict-sensitive approaches in efforts to build national capacities for conflict prevention, particularly with regard to civil society, including women’s and youth networks.
3. Provide technical support for coordination, partnerships, and M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation)

Under the direct supervision of the PDA the main duties and responsibilities of the PDO will include:

1. Assisting on research, information-gathering and analysis with specific focus on supporting and promoting peacebuilding and conflict prevention:

• Gather and process data and information relevant to the UN’s role and activities in Bolivia and the sub-region as relevant, with specific focus on supporting and promoting the consolidation of peace, women’s political participation, dialogue, social cohesion, conflict prevention, climate security and sustainable development.
• Support the PDA in undertaking political, political economy and/or conflict analysis, monitoring the situation in the country, and reporting of issues related to peace and security, including through analysis of local sources.
• Carry out and coordinate research on particular issues and thematic areas, in particular climate security, civil society engagement and women’s political participation.

2. Identifying entry-points and support inclusive and conflict-sensitive approaches in efforts to build national capacities for conflict prevention, particularly with regard to civil society, including women’s and youth networks:

• Assist the PDA in identifying areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders related to social cohesion, dialogue, conflict prevention and consensus building; and contribute to the development of conflict-sensitive approaches;
• Under the guidance of the PDA, support the exploration of entry points with key national counterparts including the Government, political and social actors; women’s groups; and civil society;
• Advise on mainstreaming conflict-sensitive approaches; including provision of training UN Country Team staff and key national partners on conflict analysis, conflict prevention and/or conflict-sensitive development;
• Undertake mappings and analysis with civil society actors’ (including youth, women, and marginalized groups) capacities for conflict prevention/ peacebuilding at local and national level, using the exercise to inform the support provided by the PDA and UNCT throughout the duration of the assignment;
• Support the PDA in their engagement with national and local stakeholders, focusing particularly on engaging with civil society actors at local level and academia, to help link local initiatives to national-level institutions, structures and processes, as well as reinforcing dialogue between government and civil society and/or people-to-people dialogues.

3. Provide technical support for coordination, partnerships and M&E:

• Support the external coordination of existing partnerships between stakeholders (government, think tanks, political actors, civil society, private sector and the international community, including the UN system).
• In close collaboration with the PDA and the Joint Programme Secretariat, support monitoring and evaluation function, including collecting, processing and analyzing data in the framework of peace and development team workplan;
• Support knowledge management and sharing of good practices on conflict prevention and peacebuilding; ensure that stories and lessons learned are shared with the Joint Programme Secretariat; and respond to specific requests for information; and
• Perform an array of duties that support UN coordination and effective Peace and Development Team programme implementation. These may include: assisting in organizing meetings and consultations, organizing and implementing consultation processes with national and international partners.

Competencies

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in political science, conflict resolution, peace studies, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences.

• Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in conflict analysis, development and/or conflict prevention in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
• Extensive experience in analysis, research and sound drafting skills;
• Experience in project/programme development, management
• Experience in national and community-level conflict prevention and peacebuilding initiatives and programming;
• In-depth knowledge of and extensive experience in (country/region), including in dialogue and conflict prevention initiatives; and awareness and familiarity of key actors and stakeholders across the political, economic, and development spheres alongside knowledge of government, civil society, and other non-state actors.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish is required