UNDP Careers
The displaced people and returnees, including families perceived to be affiliated with ISIL and Iraqis returning from northeast Syria, have suffered multiple adverse shocks, including losing most of their assets, wealth, and jobs or businesses. IDPs and Returnees of children and women faced specific challenges that hindered their return and reintegration into their communities. Local conflicts, such as those over access to limited basic services, housing, land, and property, as well as insecurity, crime, and inter-tribal and interpersonal relations, further complicate the process and lead to social tensions among different population groups in some areas.
In Line With The New Country Programme Document For UNDP Req (CPD 2020-2024), Which Aims To Support The Government Of Iraq’s Vision For a Sustainable Peaceful Iraq, UNDP Is Implementing a Program On Social Cohesion Which Working In Four Main Areas That Include
- Strengthening the national frameworks for peace and social cohesion,
- Strengthening inter-linking community Infrastructures for social cohesion at multilevel.
- Supporting and strengthening capacities and resources of academia and research institutions and actors lo lead social cohesion and
- Working with media institution and media professionals to improved advocacy and public awareness.
The social cohesion and PVE programme is supporting solution pathways based on area-based consultative approaches and analytical tools such as local conflict and risk assessments, building an the lessons and knowledge from the current social cohesion interventions. In addition, UNDP is supporting the Gol to develop and implement a social cohesion and PVE agenda that promotes conflict resolution mechanisms, dialogue and trust building measures, as well as enable peaceful coexistence and prevent future radicalization and recruitment to violent extremist groups.
In this regard, UNDP is looking for a Social Cohesion Specialist to support work with local communities and Government institutions focusing on peace education, prevention of violence extremism and promoting social cohesion. The Social Cohesion Specialist will perform his/her duties under the direct supervision of the Social Cohesion Specialist. The incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Identification and development of reintegration support components by carrying out the following:
- Monitor and assess the country’s political, social, and economic situation to stay abreast of challenges and updates related to social cohesion and Peace Education.
- Provide technical inputs to the design and development of concept notes and project documents on reintegration and community stability.
- Support synergies of the social cohesion and peace education components with other UNDP programmes, such as Environment, Reintegration, Security Sector Reform, etc.
- Provide support and technical advice to implementation partners/service providers to ensure compliance of activities with the work plans, budget, and expected results.
- Contribute to the development of detailed annual work plans for the Social Cohesion and Peace Education Components, including budget and assurance plans in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations.
- Develop and follow up on internal monitoring and quality assurance plans.
- Facilitate and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, including national and local authorities, civil society, UN agencies, like-minded organizations, international organizations, and the private sector.
- Ensure the implementation of the activities related to support of formal and informal education institutions, local peace structures and relevant government institutions in Iraq to promote peace and social cohesion and prevent violence extremism.
- Lead in planning and implementation of activities that support national and subnational government institutions enhance peace and social cohesion knowledge and skills.
- Coordinate the capacities of Iraqi institutions to analyze, monitor and measure peace and social cohesion.
- Ensure the institutionalization of social cohesion competency-building within Iraqi public and civil service training institutions.
- Lead the engagement with the universities, academic institutions to increase their interest in and applied research hub, on peace, conflict sensitivity and social cohesion.
- Support capacity building of local CSOs, NGOs and community-based institutions to deliver social cohesion and peace education at the local level.
- Contribute to the design and formulation of the Country office Programme within the area or responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets, and milestones.
- Effective and efficient day-to-day management of the Social Cohesion and Peace Education Component in line with the results-based-management approach by carrying out the following:
- Oversee day-to-day implementation and monitoring of social cohesion and peace education interventions (e.g. Community education, dialogue, town hall meetings, community mobilization, peace education programs. Capacity building of national partners, formation of local peace structures and aiming of the structures) to ensure the achievement of expected results and targets within the timeline and available budgets.
- Ensures coordination and implementation or Programme/project activities in the field of peace education by working closely with country office program and project colleagues.
- Ensure timely and quality progress and financial reporting by partners in line with agreed templates and schedules; review the periodic technical and financial progress reports; and provide feedback to UNDP and partners.
- Coordinate procurement processes to sub-contract responsible parties and service providers to implement the reintegration activities, including drafting Terms of Reference, Request for Proposals, capacity assessment of parties, evaluation of bids, recruitment and organization of mission programmes for international and local experts.
- Keeps regular track of budget, expenditures, and balances to identify any financial issues and address them in a timely manner.
- Coordinate with the M&E team to gather, collate, and analyze data on project beneficiaries and impact to ensure achievement of expected results.
- Coordinate with the Gender Specialist to identify entry points to strengthen gender mainstreaming and inclusion in reintegration activities in the target locations.
- Support preparation of e result-oriented progress reports, communication and information materials, and publications on the Component activities in line with UNDP and donor requirements.
- Conduct frequent field missions to monitor the implementation of reintegration activities and provide inputs/assist with writing timely assessment and field monitoring reports.
- Support the Coordination Platforms on National Dialogue and Social Cohesion to ensure timely and effective coordination and regular information sharing by carrying out the following:
- Support Working Group Co-Leads in coordinating and reporting on progress in implementing the UN and Government priorities in the area of Social Cohesion.
- Maintain a multi-stakeholder engagement to continuously bring relevant actors together where information and knowledge are shared.
- Participate in inter-agency programming processes, including joint needs assessments.
- Participate in UN-wide task forces and working groups and represent UNDP when appropriate, preparing presentations, writing of the meeting Minutes and possible analysis and advocacy papers destined for the Government authorities and other stakeholders.
- Identifies and provides recommendations to solutions to mitigate risks and overcome bottlenecks identified in project implementation.
- Monitor quality and technical capacities of consultants and facilitators delivering social cohesion and peace related education and training.
- Supports the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing the following results:
- Identify partnerships with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and think tanks, UN Agencies, bi-lateral and multilateral donors, private sector for local conflict analysis and political analysis to inform programing of peace education.
- Regular liaison with stakeholders, donors, partners, and other relevant program/project stakeholders.
- Manage field coordinators and ensure timely implementation, results-orientation, and accountability for project results.
- Review and finalize of letters of agreement/Micro capital grants or responsible partner agreements for the peace and social cohesion initiatives in preparation for clearance.
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation or substantive briefs on areas or cooperation, identification or opportunities for Initiation of new project, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
- Participate in inter-agency programming processes, including joint needs assessments.
- Knowledge Management and Communication:
- Contribute to developing knowledge management products on social cohesion tolerance and diversities issues, identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt.
- Contribute to development of policies and capacities to address the identified needs and priorities in collaboration with the Government and other partners.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Promote learning and development by providing opportunities for training and capacity guiding to enhance the competencies/productivity of staff members.
- Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices in community reconciliation and social cohesion operations to maximize efficiency and achieve concrete and sustainable results.
- Support the production of communication materials on reintegration work, including the database of high-quality pictures, videos, human stories, and success stories/lessons learned.
- Ensure systematic documentation and filing.
- Other Tasks:
- Performs any other tasks as required with regard to UNDP Iraq’s Reintegration work and as requested by the senior management.
Institutional Arrangement
The Social Cohesion Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the to the Social Cohesion Specialist and the Programme Manager to achieve the aforementioned deliverables. She/he will work closely with the UNDP Iraq’s Operations and Finance units, the Programme Management and Support Unit (PMSU), and the Procurement Unit/Service Center. He/she is also expected to ensure mainstreaming of gender equality and inclusion of women and people with disabilities throughout all projects.
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
People Management: N/A
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Direction & Strategy
System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
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, 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 in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
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
Business Management
Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels
Business Management
Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Required Skills And Experience
Min. Education requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in any area of knowledge, preferably in International Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Business Management, social sciences, or any relevant field.
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Min. Years Of Relevant Work Experience
- Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of work experience in the area of peacebuilding, social cohesion, peace education, community violence prevention, reconciliation, and community development is required.
Required Skills
- Good communication skills are required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Experience in working in post conflict environment with displaced people, women and youth, local peace structures and capacity building for national and local peace structures would be an advantage.
- Experience in peacebuilding and/or social cohesion and/or PVE programming would be an asset.
- Previous experience of working with governments, NGOs, and UN agencies is preferred.
- Experience in gender and conflict-sensitive programming and implementation would be an advantage.
- Knowledge and experience of result-based management, including progress monitoring, would be an asset.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
Professional Certificates N/A
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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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