Background

 
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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.

 

The insurgency driven conflict in the Lake Chad Basin, including Northeast of Nigeria has been longstanding and has caused undesirable consequences in terms of loss of lives, created multi-tiered inter-generational grievances, destroyed socio-cultural and socio-economic systems, and remains a threat to immediate, medium and long-term transformation of the affected territories in Nigeria, including Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. Borno has seen a significantly higher impact and the insurgency there has gone through a variety of phases and is marked by cycles that are connected with several factors. 

By 2021 and into 2022, the insurgency in Northeast of Nigeria had taken an unprecedented turn leading to large number of individuals exiting the conflict and presenting themselves to security authorities, largely in Borno State, but also in neighboring countries. Moreover, sustaining this momentum of exits presents challenges to effective process of their handling and in treatment of the individuals as is led by government authorities and in ensuring their reintegration into communities amidst an ongoing conflict, an internal displacement situation and significant inter-generational grievances stemming from the longstanding conflict.

As a response to the mass exits, in November 2021, the State Government of Borno, passed a “Policy on Community-Based Reconciliation and Reintegration” premised on the Vision for long term transformation of the State to contribute to peace and stability. Additionally, the Borno State Government has developed and is implementing the ‘Borno Model’. This is a state-led programme for integrated management of those that have exited the insurgency and includes key community level interventions aligned with the CBRR approach on a community-oriented reintegration process while at the same time incorporating targeted reconciliation, healing and long-term transformation perspectives. It is also aligned with the regional priorities under the Regional Stabilization Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin. 

UNDP is supporting the Federal and State Government to make operational these approaches as aligned with implementation of the Regional Stabilization Facility – Nigeria window, which is operating in some of the locations that have been identified for reintegration. This at the same time supporting alignment with the national/international principles and UNDP policy orientations for effective implementation of community-based reconciliation and reintegration.

Position Purpose
Against the above background, UNDP seeks to recruit a Community Mobilization and Reintegration Specialist to support an extensive community driven, community owned process of social cohesion, reconciliation, reintegration, and healing that supports effective transformation and prevents local conflict, recidivism and prevents pathways into insurgency in the future. 
 
Duties and Responsibilities

 
1. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, the Community Mobilization and Reintegration Specialist will develop and implement the overall reconciliation and reintegration strategies and related plans:
  • Develop a comprehensive reconciliation and reintegration strategies in line with the Borno State Policy on Community Based Reconciliation and Reintegration objectives;
  • Develop implementation plans for implementation of the peacebuilding, reconciliation, community mobilization and reintegration strategies;
  • Develop mechanisms for facilitation of sustainable reintegration and create synergies with other programs (UNDP and cross sectoral);
  • Closely monitor and periodically review the peacebuilding, reconciliation and reintegration process implementation and propose strategic adjustments as and when required;
  • Closely supervise Reconciliation and Reintegration staff and implementing partners engaged in community engagement across the BAY States. 

2. The Community Mobilization and Reintegration Specialist will provide technical lead in the development of innovate reconciliation and reintegration initiatives for implementation:

  • Conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders to identify need gaps on reintegration strategies and support national institutions to develop and implement strategies, systems and action plans for the establishment of effective community based reintegration mechanisms;
  • Support the development and practice of promoting a focus on reintegrating vulnerable groups, communities and victims in communities;
  • Develop and implement capacity building strategies to meet the capacity and training needs of the state institutions involved in reintegration;
  • Support community-based organizations and groups, state government, traditional and religious authorities and vulnerable groups to participate, engage in and benefit from community based reintegration processes and mechanisms;
  • In line with the reconciliation and reintegration strategy and plans, together with communities come up with innovative reintegration initiatives that fit well within the local context;
  • Regularly review the ongoing initiatives and document lessons learnt;
  • Undertake studies of all target areas to take proactive actions vis-a-vis peacebuilding and reintegration initiatives.
     
3. Providing Support to planning, monitoring and evaluation of reintegration activities and processes:
  • Provide substantial inputs to programme planning, implementation and monitoring, including drafting of relevant documents such as memos, briefs, talking points, meeting debriefs, minutes;
  • Develop detailed Annual Work Plans for reintegration initiatives in the BAY States together with the Specialists deployed at state level, and provide inputs to develop the consolidated Program Annual Work Plans;
  • Ensure programme work plans in the state are implemented and supervise UNDP supported work undertaken in the state as required;
  • Submit quarterly analytical reports and provide inputs into other reporting requirements to the donor and M&E activities in the reintegration area to the Head of Stabilization on work done and further prospects as decided by the program; 
  • Support the programme management to develop necessary documentation (concept notes, briefs, and fundraising notes) to operationalize and steer programmatic initiatives and activities.
4. The Community Mobilization and Reintegration Specialist will provide Facilitation of the strategic partnerships that promotes UNDP mandate and corporate policy and provides senior high level policy advice to government and other partners:
  • Develop strong working relationships with national and state stakeholders, Government partners, Traditional and Religious leaders , reintegration institutions, CSOs and international partners;
  • Support the Programme specialist and the Reconciliation and Social Cohesion staff with the management of coordination mechanisms at all levels;
  • Liaise with partners and facilitate communication on Program-related activities including organizing joint thematic learning and networking events on reintegration topics;
  • Develop and maintain close working relationships with civil society and community groups to facilitate project implementation, as well as identify issues, risks, priorities, and opportunities that support effective programme implementation;
  • Liaise with and establish strong working relationships with other UN agencies and international organizations to promote a coordinated approach to the development and implementation of reintegration activities; 
  • Organize consistent round-table discussions, briefing sessions and knowledge sharing between Government, UN, and Communities on Reintegration. 
5. The Community Based Reintegration Specialist ensures knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Collect monitoring data on a regular basis and issue updates on activities in the reintegration area including changes in legislation, policy and national or regional strategies or action plans;
  • Monitor the key interventions of the Programme on reintegration for vulnerable groups such as victims of past abuses, IDPs, children, the elderly, and survivors of SGBV; 
  • Communicate results based on best practices on community-based reintegration.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: 

The Community-based Reintegration Specialist supervises project staff determined under the component’s programme portfolio. People Management is required competency for this assignment. The incumbent should aspire to create an enabling workplace, manage performance, and ensure accountability, building capability of the team, motivating, and directing the team to work towards a common vision and goal that is shared by the Country office and Regional Stabilization Facility.

Competencies
CORE
  • 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

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies 

Strategic Thinking           

  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
  • Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Negotiation and Influence           

  • Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create ‘win-win’ situation

Results-based Management       

  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results

Human-centered Design              

  • Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process

Partnerships Management          

  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Strategic Engagement    

  • Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives 

CSO Engagement            

  • Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSO’s success to others and admit own shortcomings
     
Required Skills and Experience

 
Education:
  • Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Peacebuilding, Post Conflict Development, Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Security, International Development, or related discipline; 
  • A bachelor’s degree in relevant field with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in development or post-conflict recovery, community mobilization and reintegration, or stabilization activities is required;
  • Knowledge and practical experience of reconciliation, community mobilization, reintegration, in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria notably the BAY States is required;
  • Knowledge and practical experience in planning and implementing community mobilization and reintegration programmes is required;
  • Proven report writing skills and capacity to work under constant pressure, to meet tight and multiple deadlines and to maintain flexibility to meet high demands is required;
  • Demonstrable experience in UN’s work in terms of reintegration practices in Africa notably Nigeria;
  • Experience in mainstreaming gender into programme and project implementation is an asset;
  • Demonstrable experience in working with community-based reconciliation and reintegration processes is required.

Language Requirement:

  • Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is required.
  • Understanding of local languages (Hausa and Kanuri) is an asset. 
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 
Disclaimer

 
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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

 
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