Job ID: 34846
Practice Area - Job Family: Capacity Development
Vacancy End Date: (Midnight New York, USA) 05/02/2021
Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Education & Work Experience: G-Bachelor's Level Degree - 4 year(s) experience, I-Master's Level Degree - 2 year(s) experience
Languages: English, Russian
Kirghiz
Grade: NOB
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Posting Type: External
Bureau: Europe & the CIS
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension
Open for Kyrgyzstan Nationals only
Background
Violent conflict has surged in recent years, and in 2016, more countries experienced violent conflict than at any time in nearly 30 years. While the complex relationship between conflict, security and development is increasingly understood, international assistance and investment in conflict prevention have remained relatively low. At the same time, approaches to preventing conflict have been refined considerably, as policy and practice on peacebuilding have evolved โ and the UN, its Member States and other partners are increasingly looking to prevention as a critical strategy for sustaining peace and nurturing development. Conflict prevention is increasingly recognised as a rational and cost-effective strategy for countries at risk of violence and for the international community.
The joint UNDP-DPPA programme on building national capacities for conflict prevention 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 Statesโ efforts to advance policy and programmatic coherence on conflict prevention and support strategies for sustaining peace.
The deployment of Peace and Development Advisors and 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. There are currently 49 PDA positions across the globe.
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 โPeace and Development teamsโ where a national Peace and Development Officer provides reinforced capacity to the PDAโs engagement in support of the RCOs and UNCTs in the area of conflict prevention and sustaining peace.
The Officer works under the direct supervision of the international Peace and Development Specialist (Advisor) and will support him/her in provision of strategic and analytical advice, reporting and support to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), UNDP, UNCT, and DPPA. The National PDA works closely also with the PBF Secretariat and the PBF Joint Steering Committee in Kyrgyzstan) on peacebuilding and conflict prevention interventions in the country.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Peace and Development Officer works under the direct supervision of the PDA to provide substantive support in three main areas of activity, including:
- Assist on research, information-gathering and analysis with specific focus on supporting and promoting peacebuilding and conflict prevention;
- 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 womenโs and youth networks;
- Provide technical support for coordination, partnerships and M&E;
Under the direct supervision of the PDA, the main duties and responsibilities of the PDO will include:
- 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 UNโs role and activities in Kyrgyzstan and the sub-region as relevant, with specific focus on supporting and promoting peacebuilding, social cohesion, conflict prevention 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, including but not limited to the following thematic areas:
- Prevention of violent extremism
- Cross-border conflicts
- Inter-ethnic tensions
- Conflicts related to foreign investment, especially related to the extractive industry
- Potential protests against the government related to elections, low trust in the state and the low effectiveness of the state, corruption, weak rule of law, political interference in the judiciary, high levels of youth unemployment
- The role of religion in public life
- Political, horizontal and social inequalities
- Shared civic identity
- Increased social resentment due to economic vulnerability and poverty
- A growing fragmentation in society (inter-ethnic, secular and religious, north-south, rural-urban, inter-generational divides) and a widening gap in values and perspectives
Competencies
Core
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 4: Models independent thinking and action
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services
Technical/Functional
Social Cohesion
Knowledge of methods and experience of supporting communities to achieve greater inclusiveness, more civic participation and creating opportunities for upward mobility
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
Ability to support peace processes to facilitate recovery and development
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Conflict-Sensitive Programming
Ability to use methods and tools to monitor conflict triggers and determine impact of various dynamics in conflict-prone situations
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Conflict Analysis and Risk Assessment
Knowledge of conflict analysis and risk assessment concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Gender
Knowledge of gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of projects from a gender perspective
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Civil Society Engagement
Knowledge to create and implement civil society initiatives and apply across peace and development work Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Knowledge Management
Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Masterโs Degree) in political science, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences. In lieu of an Advanced degree, a Bachelor university degree with 2 additional years of experience can be accepted.
Experience:
- 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 Kyrgyzstan, 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.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian;
- Knowledge of Kyrgyz is an asset.
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the GS and NO categories are subject to local recruitment.
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.
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