Community Engagement Analyst 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: Community Engagement Analyst

Job ID: 33296
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Grade: NOB
Practice Area – Job Family: Management – Programme
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Posting Type: Common System
Bureau: Africa
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background
Since 2009, nearly 15 million people in Nigeria´s North-East have been affected by the conflict with Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), a Non-State Armed Group (NSAG), labelled by the media and commonly referred to as “Boko Haram”, and the resulting military operations in North-East Nigeria. The conflict became particularly intense in 2013, leading to the loss of an estimated 30,000 lives and the displacement of over 1.8 million people. Current numbers of active members within the NSAGs are not known but estimates range from 5,000 to 20,000. The number of detainees under military control is estimated at around 7,000 with the number expected to rise as counter insurgency efforts continue and avenues for surrender become more viable. The past years have brought significant progress on the military front. NSAGs no longer control vast swathes of territory and have taken to asymmetric warfare to deal with the evolving military campaign. Despite these successes, the number and sophistication of insurgency attacks have been on the rise since early December 2018.

The military campaign therefore continues to be essential in the foreseeable future.  In addition, those associated with NSAGs must see a way out of the groups, be given opportunities for viable alternatives to violent extremism and seek change through peaceful means. In parallel, the process of reconciliation between low-risk former NSAG associates including children and women who have participated in Government-led rehabilitation programmes and the many conflict-affected communities and victims of the groups must start.

From experience to date in the North-East, it is clear that community-based reconciliation and transitional justice processes are important but not sufficient for achieving peace. Besides establishing a minimum level of safety and security in the community, action is required to strengthen individual livelihoods, community social and productive infrastructure and public services before the actual process of reintegration of former NSAG associates can take place. Community consultations across the Northeast of Nigeria conducted by the project partners in 2017 and 2018 confirm the need for a comprehensive approach that lays the foundations for successful reintegration through a community-driven and state-owned “Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR)” process. The Government of Nigeria also recognizes that reintegration must include non-state security providers, such as the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and other vigilante groups.

For reintegration to be successful it needs to go hand-in-hand with community-level reconciliation to promote an increased understanding for and acceptance of low-risk former associates and victims. Though community engagement is a gradual trust-building process, done in the right way, however, it can support the creation of a common vision for the future and lay foundations for reconciliation and reintegration interventions.

The UNDP / UNICEF / IOM “Support for Reconciliation and Reintegration of Former Armed Non-State combatants and Boko Haram Associates (S2R) project is funded by EU and aims to achieve the following objectives:

• To reduced rejection and stigmatization of Former Associates;
• To increase community healing and reconciliation and decrease sense of injustice
• To increase sustainable alternatives to violence and social cohesion;
• To disarm and demobilize non-state security providers;
• To strengthen trust between citizens and Government.

At present, UNDP wants to recruit a Community Engagment Analyst to led and coordinate the UNDP-specific S2R project community enagment activities. The Community Engagment Analyst is responsible for the overall implementation the UNDP-specific S2R component of the Action. The Community Engagment Analyst will work closely with the State Government, UN agencies, and CSOs operating in the project areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of the Reconciliation and Social Cohesion Officer and in close collaboration with the  DDRR Project Team in the CO and Sub-Office, the Community Engagement Analyst will provide technical support to the following funcations:
• Collect and conduct desk review on  the relevante data and research documents;
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and multi-sector/perception assessment of the DDRR dynamics and priority reconciliation and social cohesion needs in the communities ;
• Facilitate focal group discussions with local and displaced populations in the communities
• Analyze the findings and finalize an assessment report.
• Identify and establish community consultation groups, including vulnerable target population (including women, disability, etc.) to design an effective structure of dialogue platform ;
• Promote consultations with relevant parties to identify the need gaps and UNDP’s entry points for catalytic effects for the DDRR Stabilization Facilities and other NE integrated recovery projects ;
• Develop capacity of young people and women on collaborative leadership for social cohesion, bring local and refugee populations together ;
• Support selection, recruitment and training of local volunteers from the host communities and refugee populations on dispute resolution and mediation, including women’s empowerment, mine-risk education, and human rights in host communities ;
• Provide technical support to formulate a community peacebuilding plan through community dialogue in a participatory manner.
• Identify entry points for multi-cultural / trust-building / community solidarity activities for social cohesion and support youth groups, NGOs / CSOs / CBOs to implement these activities;
• Provide technical support to ensure the project activities are implemented in line with the planned timeline and results.
• Provide policy advice to strengthen synergies and partnerships with other actors, such as the governments, the private sector, and the international organizations for greater positive impacts of the UNDP interventions
• Assist in designing the detailed implementation plan of the identified interventions, including potential implementing partners, methodologies, and coordination mechanisms, in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations;
• Provide technical and facilitation support to local volunteers and the community dialogue platform to organize multi-cultural / social-gathering events;
• Monitor day-to-day project activities and provide guidance to UNVs and local volunteers.
• Prepare reports, information materials, and publications on the project activities;
• Provide technical support to strengthen the capacity of community groups for advocacy, communications, and resource mobilization, including utilization of social media and other innovative communication tools.
• Support organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc. in the area of community engagement and empowerment.
• Identifies the latest trends in Social Media, Organizational Development and other areas that can have an impact on the delivery of the project results.
• Assist identifying best practices and lessons learned directly linked to Social Cohesion projects from around the world.
• Engage in Community of Practice within the area of Community Development, support knowledge sharing and documentation of best practice.

Impact of Results:

• The key results have an impact on the success of the S2R project to promote community engagement  and  empowerment through fostering solutions for stability and peace in the communities, promoting community social cohesion and establishing  inclusive and partipatory dialogues and peace activities at the community level.

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to think conceptually and flexibly, capacity to adapt, innovate, and propose multiple options.
• A team player with good interpersonal skills
• Ability to practice courtesy and diplomacy with high rank officials.
• Time management skills.
• Enjoy sensitivity for research and academic integrity.
• Ability to work well under pressure and stressful environment
• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
• Building support and political acumen
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning
• Fair and transparent  decision making; calculated risk-taking

Required Skills and Experience
Education and Certificate:

• Master’s degree in Social / Political Science, International Development, Conflict-resolution, and Peace-building or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in social development, community development, or poverty reduction. Past experience working with UNDP / UN is an assset;
• Experience on community mobilization and engagement and social cohesion, addressing issues of community development and early recovery.
• Experience in a post-conflict environment is a strong advantage. Knowledge of socio-economic, culture, and community development issues in the North-East Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin region is an asset.
• Proven experience in result-based reporting, public relations/communication.
• Prior experience on monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
• Proficiency in usage of computers, office software packages and advance project management software as well as in handling of web-based management system.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. The ability to communicate effectively in Kanuri, Hausa, or any other local language spoken in the NE region is an asset.

Deadline: 3rd November, 2020 (Midnight New York, USA)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online