JPO – Programme Analyst, Peacebuilding & Conflict Prevention at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: JPO – Programme Analyst, Peacebuilding & Conflict Prevention

Job ID: 40937
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Grade: P2
Bureau: Africa
Posting Type: External
Vacancy Type: FTA International (JPO)
Practice Area – Job Family: Democratic Governance – Governance, Peace, And Security, Capacity Development – Peacebuilding & Conflict Prevention
Contract Duration: One-year appointment, renewable at least once subject to satisfactory performance.

Background

• The peace and stability challenges facing Nigeria are becoming increasingly complex. The constellation of actors is now more complicated than they have been in decades and conflicts are spreading throughout the country. 2021 marks the 11th year of the Violent Extremist conflict in the North East.
• While the security services have recorded pockets of success and has largely been contained to one part of the country, the conflict continues to adversely affect the peace, economy and development of the epicenter of the insurgency (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe).
• In the North West of Nigeria, the Farmer-Herder conflict metamorphosing into armed banditry and commercial crime with potential links to global violent extremism networks has quickly become an added strain to Nigeria’s fast retreating peace.
• Despite its economic potential, the North West has the highest poverty rate in Nigeria. As of 2019, all seven states in the zone had poverty levels above the national average of 40.1%. Millions lack access to basic health care and clean water.
• The situation in the Middle Belt – especially in Benue State interwoven around herder-farmer conflict has taken a turn to the worse with the State experiencing the 4th highest cases of Fatalities countrywide. Social cohesion challenged in the South East enabled by historical and contemporary grievances based on exclusion and marginalization have paused a challenge.
• There is growing need to scale and sustain a preventative action agenda that deploys sustainable development solutions to conflict and instability by building social stability, enhancing resilience of institutions and addressing the root causes of Conflict.
• UNDP is supporting peace and stability efforts through the conflict prevention and integrated peacebuilding programmes on the herder-farmer issues in the Middle Belt and North Central and currently exploring avenues for greater engagement in the North West. These projects are supported by the Peace building fund, Human Security Trust Fund. Opportunities for scale up are currently being explored with partners.
• The JPO being recruited will therefore play a central role in supporting these ongoing efforts by UNDP and explore new opportunities for sustained peacebuilding and conflict prevention including in the area of Youth, Peace and Security.

The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme:

• The UNDP JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world.
• As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals’ excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.
• During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices.

Content and methodology of supervision:

• Title of Supervisor: Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor (UNDP Lead on Conflict Prevention, Peace Building, Reconciliation and Resilience)

As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following supervision modalities:

• Structured guidance provided by the supervisor, especially at the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing the responsibilities of the JPO
• Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
• Effective supervision through knowledge sharing and performance/development feedback throughout the assignment
• Easy access to the supervisor
• Participation in Unit/Team/Office meetings to ensure integration and operational effectiveness
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
• Completion of the yearly UNDP Performance Management Document (PMD)
• If more than one supervisor; clear agreement of the roles and responsibilities between the relevant parties

Training and Learning
As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following training and learning opportunities:

• Participation in a two-week long Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 3 to 6 months of assignment.
• Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
• Other training and learning opportunities, as presented in the UNDP JPO Orientation Programme. In addition, the JPO will benefit from the following specific training and learning modalities and opportunities in the receiving office: Working in the North-East and fragile Context Environment, HACT Training

Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure substantive support to Conceptualization and design of projects aimed at promoting peace and social cohesion:

• Support in developing critical baselines on existing national and state level peace and governance capacities including ongoing initiatives and mechanisms;
• Identify and support in the integration of innovative approaches in the design and roll out of Peacebuilding and conflict prevention work in Nigeria
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to the Programme into the portfolio under development
• Support in the documentation of project outcomes, reporting and packaging of knowledge and practices emanating from ongoing Peace Building work in the region
• Support developing strategic partnerships to advance UNDP’s work in the Middle Belt, North Central and North West Regions of Nigeria

Ensures provision of project operation and implementation support:

• Substantive support to ongoing project partners to ensure effective implementation
• Analysis and research of information in ongoing peacebuilding initiatives and the identification of opportunities for building synergies and initiation of new projects
• Assist in drafting of project proposals for resource mobilisation in consultation with the Programme team
• Provision of substantive inputs into strategies for Peacebuilding as required

Contribute to effective implementation of project monitoring and evaluation strategy:

• Effective support in the application of Results Based Management tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of peacebuilding results
• Support in the design and formulation of programme Monitoring and Evaluation strategies, ensuring alignment with the Country Programme Action Plan
• Support in capacity enhancement efforts targeting implementing partners to improve Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation of peacebuilding and conflict prevention work
• Provide efficient and timely responses to partner requests for information

Important: Under the UNDP Junior Professional Officer Programme framework, the following position is open only to Nationals of Finland. For the full requirements and information about the JPO Programme, please visit: www.jposc.undp.org

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Development, Political Science or related courses.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of progressive relevant experience in peacebuilding and conflict prevention or other relevant experience
• Experience in provision of operational support to peacebuilding programmes, monitoring and evaluations at the national or international level is desirable
• Experience working in Africa in peace and governance is an added advantage.

Competencies
Core:

• Innovation – Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Leadership  – Ability to persuade others to follow
• People Management – Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Communication – Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Delivery – Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Technical / functional:

• Advocacy / Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda – Preparing information for advocacy
• Results-Based Programme Development and Management – Contributes into results through primary research and analysis
• Building Strategic Partnerships Maintaining a network of contacts – Resource Mobilization
• Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategies – Promoting Organizational Learning and
• Knowledge Sharing – Basic research and analysis
• Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals – Preparing information for global advocacy
• Client Orientation – Establishing effective client relationships

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (both oral and written)
• Minimum basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish languages
• Working knowledge of French would be an added asset

Nationality:

• This position is open only to Nationals of Finland

Other desirable education, languages and work experience:

• Knowledge of the UN and UNDP programme operations would be an added advantage.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages such as (MS Word, Excel, and Power Point) and web based management systems is essential.

Application Closing Date
14th February, 2022.