Jobs at United Nations Development Programme

Job Title: Peace and Development Specialist

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. UNDP advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. The UNDP provides expert advice, training, grant support to developing countries including Uganda with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries.

Background

Over the past two decades, Uganda has made significant political and economic progress, reversing the economic and political turmoil that engulfed the country during the first two and a half decades of independence. The brutal civil war in Northern Uganda waged by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for almost 20 years ended in 2005 and there is now overall normalcy in the region, albeit high levels of poverty. Almost 1.8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have since returned “home”.

Job Summary: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Peace and Development Specialist (PDS) will help strengthen the capacity of the UN Country Team in Uganda to understand the political and conflict dynamics underlying the country’s peace and development prospects, and to support national stakeholders in leading appropriate responses and preventive initiatives. The PDS will provide ongoing support and analysis to the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team, and offer strategic and technical leadership to the design and implementation of conflict prevention activities as well as conflict-sensitive development programming, more broadly. In doing so, the PDS will liaise with UNCT agencies already working on these issues, in line with the principles of Delivering as One (DaO), as well as with regional initiatives that are contributing to strengthen the regional peace and development architecture.

Under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator, the PDS’s leadership on conflict prevention activities will include support to the development and strengthening of a national infrastructure for peace in Uganda. In line with the standard operating procedures of the Joint UNDP/DPS Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention, the PDS will regularly communicate with both UNDP and DPA.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Offering strategic and analytical support to the RC/RR in his/her relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider political and civic leadership, by:

Carrying out regular analysis on political developments and conflict dynamics at the national and regional levels, with a view to identifying appropriate ‘entry points’ for conflict prevention and recommending appropriate strategic responses for the UN system;
Liaising with other UNCT agencies working on related issues, drawing from their own analysis and expertise in relevant areas in order to develop a common understanding and narrative of Uganda’s peace and development outlook;
Sharing, through the Resident Coordinator regular updates, including reports, with UNDP and DPA focal points in HQ, as per Standard Operating Procedures of the Joint UNDP/DPA Programme
Providing substantive leadership and direction for strategic initiatives on conflict prevention, including convening on behalf of the RR/RC dialogue processes; or assisting conflict resolution activities in conflict-affected communities.

2. Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key national, regional and international actors and development partners:

Establish, foster and grow networks and strategic partnerships for peace building related strategies and initiatives;
Working closely with key local and national stakeholders from Government and civil society and key international actors to identify entry points, foster dialogue and strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships on conflict prevention, reconciliation and confidence-building initiatives;
Liaise with regional initiatives aimed at fostering an enabling environment for peace and development in the East African and Greater lakes Regions;
Maintain close liaison with relevant donors and other actors supporting the UN’s peace building efforts;
Support the UN Resident Coordinator in mobilizing resources for peace building and conflict prevention initiatives.

3. Support the RC in guiding the strategic direction of UNCT in relation to conflict prevention programming and strengthening of Uganda’s peace and development framework, working closely with key government and civil society actors, UNCT agencies and regional initiatives:

Steer and coordinate UNCT inter-agency initiatives aimed at strengthening of Uganda’s peace and development framework, including those involving joint programming efforts that contribute to conflict prevention;
Engage with national government and civil society partners to further develop and strengthen Uganda’s national infrastructure for peace/peace and development framework, supporting linkages between local-level conflict prevention initiatives and capacities with sub-national and national actors;
Offer technical support to programmatic and policy advisory interventions by UNDP and other UNCT agencies in areas relevant to Uganda’s peace and development and contributing to strengthening Uganda’s peace and development framework;
Steer and coordinate Uganda’s participation in regional peace and development initiatives, liaising, when needed, with national government and civil society partners, as well as with regional counterparts.

4. Strengthen capacity of UNDP and UNCT to undertake conflict analysis and mainstream conflict sensitivity in regular programming:

Define/implement a strategy for identifying entry points for mainstreaming of conflict prevention and conflict sensitivity in the UNCT*, including within the framework of common country planning processes (UNDAF, CPD, etc);
Carry outtraining for UN Country Team staff and key national partners on conflict analysis, conflict prevention and/or conflict-sensitive development;
Offer analytical and strategic support to UNCT.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant should hold a Master’s Degree in any one of the following areas political science, sociology, international relations, law, public administration, or other related social sciences.
A minimum of seven years’ experience in conflict analysis, policy, and strategy development, development and/or conflict prevention in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organizations;
Significant advocacy experience, including engagement with government and United Nations officials, as well as with donors and civil society organizations;
Past exposure and experience in development programming, including good understanding of UN programming modalities, and rules and regulations would be an asset;
Advanced knowledge of Delivering as One (DaO) principles and experience with inter agency coordination at the national, regional or global level would be an asset;
Past exposure working within a UN agency and work experience in Uganda would be an asset;
Excellent knowledge of peace and development trends and dynamics in Uganda and the East Africa/Greater lakes region, including in dialogue and conflict prevention initiatives, is an advantage.

Language: Fluent written and spoken English.

Personal Competencies:

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Good understanding of the UN system.

Functional Competencies:

Specialist knowledge in the area of conflict prevention, social cohesion and dialogue;
Strong political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy advice;
Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder processes and negotiation
Excellent analytical skills.
Experience and specialist knowledge in building national capacities in mediation and dialogue;
Proven high-level facilitation, training, networking, coordination, team-building, consensus-building and organizational skills
Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with internal and external parties in a multi-cultural environment;
Detailed knowledge of development situation in Uganda and recent history.
Ability to advise and oversee formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and programmes;
Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
Proven ability to incorporate into his/her work relevant international practices.
Management Competencies (select most applicable/relevant):
Excellent team-building, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills.
Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle and delegate multiple tasks;
Ability to build strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations.

Behavioral Competencies (select most applicable/relevant):

Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic and sound judgment.
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development
Builds strong relationships with partners, focusing on impact and results;
Demonstrates creativity, openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

How to Apply for the job:

If you believe you are one of the ideal candidates for this opportunity in working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), then visit the web link below for full job details and How to Apply.

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NB: UNDP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Highly qualified Women are encouraged to apply. Short listed candidates will be required to send certified copies of academic credentials.

JOBS, UNDP