Regional Peacebuilding Officer

BACKGROUND

UNDP 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. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

At the request of the Liberian Government, Liberia was officially placed on the Peacebuilding Commission Agenda on 27 May 2010 making the country eligible as a recipient of UN Peacebuilding Fund’s Peace and Recovery Facility (PRF). Since then, the PBC has been engaged with Liberia supporting programs to strengthen rule of law, security sector and legal reforms, gender equality and women empowerment as well as national reconciliation through national and local peace infrastructures. These supportive initiatives are aligned to the Government Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) and SDGs 1, 5, 8, 16 as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperative Framework.

Liberia has undergone multiple transitions while needing to continue to consolidate the hard-won peacebuilding gains. The Security Council resolution 2333 (Dec 2016) ended UNMIL’s mandate on 30 March 2018 and the complete closure of the peacekeeping mission by 30 June 2018. The results of the UN’s Capacity Mapping Exercise, completed in May 2017, indicated that UNMIL’s withdrawal and departure will result in a severe reduction in resources, capacities, and expertise in consolidating peace building gains. The PBF leveraged its financing to support a smooth transition as well as sustain the peace gains within the context of addressing pre-existed and emerging peacebuilding challenges including a poor economy where root causes and conflict drivers remain unresolved.

To address this, the S-G approved the Executive Committee Decision 2017/88 (Liberia) (September 2017) to strengthen and expand the Resident Coordinator’s Office, establish the OHCHR office and a pooled fund (the Liberia Multi Partner Trust Fund) to support peace

consolidation, human rights, rule of law, reconciliation, and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Liberia. The Liberia Multi-Partner Trust Fund (LMPTF) was anchored on a vision of realizing less dependency on the international community assistance for peace and security and placing the country on a stable trajectory to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The LMPTF was designed to support Sustaining Peace and peace consolidation in Liberia through the implementation of the Liberia Peacebuilding Plan priorities and the delivery of the United Nation’s Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in support of implementing the Government’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development. The new government has prioritized peace consolidation by establishing a stand-along pillar on ‘sustaining peace’.

Since 2018, the LMPTF has been supported by the Peacebuilding Fund as the only donor, whose financing modality is premised on catalytic support. Further financing of the LMPTF has been reconsidered by the PBF, reverting to its traditional financing of peacebuilding initiatives through its Peacebuilding and Recovery Facility (PRF)and Immediate Response Facility (IRF) windows. 

Under the current PBF portfolio, a secretariat exists, operating under the auspices of the RC whose responsibility is to ensure overall coordination, monitoring and reporting of peacebuilding programming in Liberia, working closely with the UNCT, the Government and CSOs involved in peacebuilding programmes.  The PBF Secretariat brings efficiencies and effectiveness in overall coordination of peacebuilding programming in Liberia. The PBF Secretariat helps to coordinate monitoring approaches between projects, and monitor progress against the peacebuilding context, the risks and the high-level peacebuilding priorities supported by PBF.

PBF Programming Support to Mano River Union Countries (MRU)

The Mano River Union region comprises Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The region underwent several decades of conflict and has now returned to stability. Tensions remain however, particularly in border areas, despite strong historical and cultural ties, and reconciliation is a work in progress. People who returned to or remained in border communities often have relatively fewer opportunities for education, skills development, training, employment and indeed mobility. Environmental pressures and land disputes are adding to these challenges. Opportunities to build community resilience and social cohesion, often based on traditional systems, include cross-border and sub-regional cooperation in areas such as dialogue, citizen engagement, economic integration, youth and women productivity and enhanced security.

The position of Peacebuilding Officer is based in Monrovia, Liberia, and is located in the Office of the Resident Coordinator for Liberia, working closely with the PBF Secretariat in Monrovia. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will report to the Resident Coordinator for Liberia and will, as required, provide guidance to the RCs and UN Country Teams in the four countries of the Mano River Union region in identifying entry points for cross-border and sub-regional peacebuilding initiatives, supporting programme design and elaboration, providing analysis on sub-regional challenges and priorities and building support among partners for current and new cross-border and sub-regional peace and development initiatives. The Peacebuilding Officer will also have an indirect reporting line to the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) in New York.

The Peacebuilding Officer will regularly travel to Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, as advised by the RCs for those countries, to explore programmatic and partnership opportunities for peacebuilding.

Within the limits of delegated authority and in close cooperation with Peace and Development Advisors (PDAs) and the PBF Secretariat/PBF Coordinator in Monrovia, the Peacebuilding Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties.

• Identify opportunities to coordinate and support the development of proposals for cross-border and sub-regional collaboration and programmatic interventions to promote peacebuilding in the four countries of the Manu River Union region, in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinators and the United Nations Country Teams;
• Develop and implement methodologies for tracking peacebuilding issues and progress with regards to cross-border and regional peacebuilding priorities in the four countries of the Mano River Union region, in collaboration with the Resident Coordinators, United Nations Country Teams and other partners.
• Identify opportunities for and, in full cooperation with the RCs and the UNCTs, support the development of a strategic approach to partnerships between the UNCT and regional stakeholders contributing to UN objectives and peacebuilding processes in the Mano River Union region including with IFIs, UNOWAS, ECOWAS and the Mano River Union Secretariat.
• Produce, as appropriate and required, analytical and situational notes on relevant sub-regional cross-border issues to inform decision-making and advocacy for PBF and other donor support.
• Based on guidance provided by the RCs, UNCTs and the PDAs, exchange with UNOWAS on strategic and programmatic areas pertaining to cross-border and sub-regional peacebuilding within the Mano River Union.
• In collaboration with the PBF Coordinator in Monrovia, provide technical peacebuilding design expertise for the elaboration of Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) projects in Liberia for initiatives including, but not limited to, social cohesion, women empowerment and participation, youth engagement, peaceful electoral environment, security sector cooperation, climate security, land conflict, in accordance with the PBF Strategic Result Framework and emerging peacebuilding priorities.
• In collaboration with the PBF Coordinator in Monrovia, support more effective collaboration across the humanitarian–development–peace nexus (HDPN), results-focus and programme sustainability, catalytic results within PBF programming and project design based on existing good practice and support resource mobilisation;
• Provide updates to PBSO on PBF programs in Liberia and on the regional initiatives from time to time, as needed.

Requirements: Applying to this job opening is expected to accept the offer if selected. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In this context, all staff is expected to move periodically to new career functions by established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional, ethical standards is essential.

United Nations Considerations: According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in staff employment is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offense or humiliation when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offenses may not be considered for employment.

COMPETENCIES

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Professionalism:

• Ability to translate conflict analysis into inclusive peacebuilding and prevention strategy, policy and programming.
• Ability to build multi-stakeholder partnerships with an emphasis on national ownership and supporting the development of national capacities for prevention and peacebuilding.
• Shows pride in work and achievements.
• demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
• Shows persistence when faced with complex problems or challenges.
• Remains calm in stressful situations.
• Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Planning and Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Identifies priority activities and assignments and adjusts priorities as required.
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
• Uses time efficiently.

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve programs or services.
• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs.
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas.
• Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box".
• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things.
• Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Vision:

• Identifies strategic issues, opportunities, and risks.
• clearly communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals.
• Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction.
• Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Managing Performance:

• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority.
• Makes sure that roles, obligations, and reporting lines are clear to each staff member.
• Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills, Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines.
• Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.
• Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative.
• Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff.
• Appraises performance fairly.

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management Competencies

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site..

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Partnership management: Emerging partnerships

• Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships

Partnership management: Private sector resource mobilization

• Ability to identify, develop and manage partnerships that leverage private sector technical expertise and resources

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges

Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making

• Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Business Development: Knowledge Facilitation

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Partnership management: Relationship management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master's or equivalent international relations, communications, administration, social sciences, or related areas.
• A first-level university degree with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be considered in lieu of Masters Degree. 
•  

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Minimum 7 (Master's Degree) or 9 years (Bachelor's Degree) of progressively responsible experience is required in the intergovernmental, political, and diplomatic fields or related areas.
• Experience in collaboration and designing interventions with Member States, International Financial Institutions, UN Agencies, Funds, Programmes, or comparable international organizations is required.
• Experience working on peace processes in Africa is required.
• A minimum of three years of experience working in support of a UN Resident Coordinator or UN Country Team on peacebuilding issues is required.

Language requirements:

• Proficiency in oral and written English is required.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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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.

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