Background:
UNDP is supporting efforts of the Afghan Government in the complex process of state building, development and peacebuilding. Through its Country Programme, it is contributing to the national priorities set forth in the National Development Strategy and is focused on (a) fostering Democratic Governance (b) strengthening of Local Governance and Administration (c) Environment and Natural Resource Management, (d) Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Livelihood and; (e) Crisis Prevention and Recovery.
The Crisis Prevention and Recovery (CPR) Cluster of UNDP is focused on support to Government of Afghanistan in maintenance of law and order, eradication of poppy cultivation, disbandment of illegal armed groups, peace & reconciliation and disaster risk reduction.
The Conflict Prevention Advisor will be based in UNDP Country Office’s (CO) CPR cluster with frequent visits to the field as and when required. The advisor will undertake strategic analysis of conflict environment of Afghanistan and provide advice to the management of CO on crisis dynamics and its prevention initiatives. Considering the cross cutting nature of CPR, the advisor, while working under CPR cluster, will be providing technical support to the other programme units. The incumbent will also be responsible for developing new projects/programmes in the light of strategic analysis of conflict environment, contributing to peace and stabilization. The advisor will also be responsible for capacity development of UNDP staff on conflict/crisis prevention and recovery. This will be done through implementation of formal training workshops, technical support on programme related issues, knowledge sharing and informal coaching. Additionally, the incumbent will maintain coordination and relation with all relevant government ministries/entities, donors, other UN agencies, Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) and UNDP HQs through the CPR cluster. The adviser will be supervised by the Country Director through the Deputy Country Director Programme and Assistant Country Director of Crisis Prevention and Recovery cluster.
Description of Responsibilities:
Summary of key functions:
- Strategic analysis and advice
- Programme development
- Capacity development
- Coordination and partnerships
- Strategic analysis and advice
Advise the UNDP Country Director and the Senior Management Team on crisis prevention and recovery related issues, in particular the identification of strategic entry-points for UNDP Afghanistan activities and conflict-sensitive development programming.
Provide strategic analysis of conflict and crisis dynamics to the UNDP Afghanistan Senior Management. Prepare additional technical and policy advice, as required by the UNDP Afghanistan Country Director and Deputy Country Directors.
Facilitate the development of a CPR strategy for UNDP Afghanistan, in line with the UNDP Country Programme Document.
Assess and define additional capacity that may be required for UNDP Afghanistan to strengthen its conflict prevention and peacebuilding effort and draw up a strategy to meet capacity building needs.
Programme development
Together with the UNDP Afghanistan Programme Units and in close cooperation with BCPR, support the design of crisis prevention and recovery related sector initiatives in line with UNDP’s Country Programme Document.
Provide strategic inputs to UNDP Afghanistan national programmes and local initiatives to ensure that programmatic issues related to conflict prevention, recovery and peacebuilding are addressed.
Identify areas in which different BCPR support modalities can be mobilized for the CO.
Gather inputs and draft project documents, TOR, and so forth as needed to submit proposals to BCPR and donors for strategic initiatives in CPR.
Provide strategic advice to integrate a conflict-sensitive approach into the upcoming CPAP formulation exercise.
Capacity development
Enhance the UNDP programme units’ understanding and application of Conflict-related Development Analysis (CDA) processes, and support the mainstreaming of conflict-sensitive approaches across UNDP Afghanistan project portfolio.
Conduct or facilitate CPR-related training workshops as appropriate.
Support, through capacity assessment, training and knowledge networking, the creation of a resource pool of UNDP Afghanistan, UN partners and other key stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge in conflict analysis and conflict-sensitive programming, conflict prevention and recovery, and peacebuilding, drawing on the expertise of UNDP’s BCPR, as appropriate;
Maintain a record of best practices and lessons learned accumulated by UNDP Afghanistan CO and share this information with BCPR for possible dissemination to other UNDP offices.
Coordination and partnerships
In undertaking the above, ensure the fullest engagement and participation of women and youth, to further ensure the mainstreaming of gender perspective as appropriate for UNDP crisis prevention and recovery efforts.
Liaising with all key national and international stakeholders—key domestic political and civic actors, civil society organizations, international NGOs, UN partners, donors - in the context of the above functions.
Maintain close contact with relevant staff in UNDP Headquarters and Regional Centers, in particular the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) and the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP).
Competencies :
Communication and Inter-Personal Skills:
Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the UN, government officials and civil society, is outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels;
Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
Is culturally sensitive and demonstrates appreciation for different cultures and practices;
Professional Capacity:
Excellent analytical skills;
Able to exercise sound judgement;
Ability to work in a team, ready to take on a wide range of tasks;
Self-motivated and able to recommend options for resolution of issues;
Able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner; and applies protocol appropriately.
Technical Skills:
Able to draft well and edit project documents and proposals, correspondence, briefings and speeches, etc. in English;
Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a wide range of actors, within the UN system, in Governments, the traditional structure, donors and civil society.
Excellent computer skills.
Qualifications :
Education:
Advanced University degree in the areas of international relations, development, political sciences, international law, economics or related discipline; specialization in peace and conflict related studies desirable.
Experience:
At least 10 years of work experience in planning and coordinating development programmes in the field, including experience in designing and drafting programmes and projects.
Excellent political/conflict analysis and substantial experience with conflict prevention, peacebuilding and conflict-sensitive development; knowledge and experience in the central Asian context is desirable.
Proven experience with the design and implementation of participatory and dialogue-oriented conflict analysis processes, and their translation into programming;
Communication skills, ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials, proven political judgment, sensitivity to local cultures; experience in facilitation and training of groups highly desirable
Understanding of the UN system and UNDP, including thorough knowledge of its practices and procedures.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English: ability to draft and edit analytical reports, strategy documents, project proposals, correspondence, briefings and speeches in English. Knowledge of local languages will be an asset.
