Fecha de cierre

31 mayo 2022

Peace and Development Officer – PDO (NOB)

Job Description

Background

 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

 

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 – 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 recognized 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 States’ efforts to advance policy and programmatic coherence on conflict prevention and support strategies for sustaining peace.  

The deployment of Peace and Development Advisors 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. 

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 ‘Peace and Development teams’ where a national Peace and Development Officer provides reinforced capacity to the PDA’s engagement in support of the RCOs (Resident Coordinators Office) and UNCTs (UN Country Teams) in the area of conflict prevention and sustaining peace. There current cadre includes 120 Peace and Development Advisors deployed globally, including 40 national positions.

In Ecuador, DPPA and UNDP have been strengthening the capacities of the UN system to build national capacities for conflict prevention including through the deployment of a Peace and Development Adviser (PDA).   

Country context – Ecuador

  • Ecuador is facing a multidimensional crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, that poses significant political, socioeconomic and security challenges, which could hinder the advancement of sustainable development. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the country’s long-term fiscal challenges and the current global economic uncertainties could prompt further social unrest and political fragmentation, thus potentially weakening democratic governance.
  • The security situation is a matter of serious concern. The homicide rate has been increasing in recent years. According to Ministry of Government´s figures, the rate rose from 5.82 per 100.000 inhabitants in 2018 to 13.95 per 100.000 inhabitants in 2021. The deteriorating security situation could lead to an increase in violence, including a growing risk of gender-based violence, trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced recruitment of children and young people.
  • In October 2019, Ecuador faced widespread social protests with unprecedent violence outbreaks. As per the request of Government, the UN facilitated a dialogue process between the Government and indigenous organizations to put an end to the crisis. Nevertheless, the underlying causes of conflict persist. Against this backdrop, early warning systems, institutional infrastructures for conflict prevention and technical capabilities for dialogue design and implementation could be enhanced.
  • Amidst the complex political and a socio-economic context, coupled with a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women, especially in the rural areas, there is an urgent need to continue strengthening the full and equal participation of women in decision-making to foster social cohesion in the country. 
  • The increase in poverty levels, exacerbated by the pandemic, in addition toa rapid deterioration of the security situation, may increase the cultural and social barriers to exercise the human rights of youth, and lead to a surge of stigmatization. It is, therefore, required to counter this trend by fostering the substantive engagement and participation of youth groups in conflict prevention and peacebuilding work.
  • A migration upsurge of Ecuadorians in vulnerable situation has been observed as a result of the current socio-economic crisis, contributing to the weakening of the social fabric in affected areas. In addition, over 400 thousand Venezuelan nationals are estimated to be hosted by Ecuador. A possible shift from a transit point into a destination country in the middle term, may hinder national efforts for social integration. 
  • Furthermore, the increase in poverty, inequality and insecurity exacerbated by the pandemic, may fuel hate speech, xenophobia, stigmatization and discrimination against migrants, refugees, LGBTQI people and other vulnerable groups. 

Position Purpose

The Peace and Development Officer works under the direct supervision and guidance of the PDA [in context where an international PDA is not deployed, the PDO works under the direct supervision and guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator, and has secondary reporting lines to UNDP Resident Representative and Regional Division of DPPA at HQ], to provide substantive support in three main areas of activity, including:

  1. Assist with research, information-gathering, and analysis with specific focus on supporting and promoting peacebuilding and conflict prevention. 
  2. 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 women’s and youth networks.
  3. Provide technical support for coordination, partnerships, and M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation)

Duties and Responsibilities

 

1.  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 UN’s role and activities in Ecuador 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 and thematic areas, in particular those related to the political context analysis;
  • Provide support to incorporate the prevention and peace approach in the CCA and UNSDCF processes and agency programming;
  • Collaborate with agencies (UNDP) in the follow-up and implementation of SDG 16 regarding peace, social cohesion and prevention.

2.  Identifying 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 indigenous, rural, women’s and youth networks

  • Assist the PDA in identifying areas of programmatic engagement with national stakeholders related to social cohesion, dialogue, conflict prevention and consensus building; and contribute to the development of conflict-sensitive approaches; 
  • Under the guidance of the PDA, support the exploration of entry points with key national counterparts including the Government, civil society and marginalized groups;
  • Advise on mainstreaming conflict-sensitive approaches; including provision of training UN Country Team staff and key national partners on conflict analysis, conflict prevention and/or conflict-sensitive development; 
  • Undertake mappings and analysis with civil society actors at local and national level (including indigenous, rural, youth, women, and marginalized groups), strengthening IAATF´scapacities for conflict prevention/ peacebuilding,  throughout the duration of the assignment. 
  • Support the PDA in their engagement with national and local stakeholders, focusing particularly on engaging with civil society actors at local level and academia, to help link local initiatives to national-level institutions, structures and processes, as well as reinforcing dialogue between government and civil society and/or people-to-people dialogues.

3.  Provide technical support for coordination, partnerships and M&E

  • Support the external coordination of existing partnerships between stakeholders (government, civil society, private sector and the international community, including the UN system). 
  • In close collaboration with the PDA and the Joint Programme Secretariat, support monitoring and evaluation function, including collecting, processing and analyzing data in the framework of the peace and development team workplan;
  • Support knowledge management and sharing of good practices on conflict prevention and peacebuilding; ensure that stories and lessons learned are shared with the Joint Programme Secretariat; and respond to specific requests for information; and
  • Perform an array of duties that support UN coordination and effective Peace and Development Team programme implementation. These may include: assisting in organizing meetings and consultations, organizing and implementing consultation processes with national and international partners.

Competencies

 

Core Competencies:

  • Achieve Results:  
    • LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

  • Think Innovatively:

    • LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

  • Learn Continuously: 

    • LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

  • Adapt with Agility:

    • LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

  • Act with Determination:

    • LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

  • Engage and Partner:

    • LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

    • LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

  • Business Development - Knowledge Generation:
    • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
  • Business Management - Partnership Management: 
    • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UN strategy and policies.
  • 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.
  • Agenda 2030: People -  Gender:
    • Women, Peace, and Security
  • Agenda 2030: Peace -  Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive:
    • Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion 
    • Conflict Analysis and conflict sensitivity 
    • Infrastructures for peace 

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in political science, conflict resolution, peace studies, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences.

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 Ecuador, 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.

Languages:

  • Fluent written and spoken Spanish and English is required. 
  • Knowledge of Kichwa and or Shuar is desirable

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 

Disclaimer

 

Important applicant information

 

All post in the NO category 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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