Fresh Jobs 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: Information Management Assistant, SB3

Job ID: 31571
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Agency: UNDP
Grade: SB3
Vacancy Type: Service Contract (SC)
Posting Type: Common System
Contract Duration: 06 months with possibility of extension
Practice Area – Job Family: Crisis Prevention and Recovery – Information Management

Background
The Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East Nigeria and the neighboring countries has left over 7.1 million people in need of supports, including 1.8 million people internally displaced (IDP) in the three most heavily affected States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. In addition, 226,000 Nigerians refugees remain in the neighboring Cameroon, Niger and Chad1. Now in its tenth year, the crisis remains one of the most severe in the world, and the total numbers of people in need, IDPs and refugees are not significantly reduced over the past several years.

LGAs in the Northern and Eastern parts of Borno State continue to experience many terrorism incidents, with many residents displaced. For instance, a total of 14,587 displaced persons arrived in Monguno LGA in eastern Borno within the period from November 2018 to March 2019 because of the deterioration of security of the neighboring Kukawa LGA2. However, LGAs in Adamawa, Yobe and the southern and western parts of Borno are experiencing the early stage of stability. In these areas, Security Forces and vigilante largely take control of the security situation, although sporadic bombings and attacks in limited scale still occur. After the elections and the consequent inauguration of new Governors in Adamawa and Borno, public expectation for improvement of general situation in the region is very high. People have been returning to those communities in the early stage of stability.

For instance, across the four LGAs of Hong, Michika, Mubi-North and Mubi-South in Adamawa State, the total number of returnees has risen to 511,830, which is much larger than 45,435 IDP in the area3. The IDPs in those communities are mostly from the other LGAs that are still unstable. These IDPs have been staying in the host communities for a prolonged period, and many of them want to immigrate to the area permanently. Furthermore, these communities will soon become the destination of return of refugees from the neighboring countries.

To support early recovery and livelihood of the conflict-affected communities in the region, various development partners including UN Agencies and NGOs are implementing activities in cooperation with the Governments and donors. For coordination of the activities among the partners, Early Recovery and Livelihood Sector Working Group is oraganized, co-chaird by UNDP and Borno State Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement. UNDP needs an Information Management Officer to provide supports to the Sector concerning information management.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collation of data for implementation of the information management system for the Response and Recovery Planning (Early Recovery & Livelihoods) Cluster.
• Map existing information management systems already existing in-country (OCHA, cluster lead agencies, national and local authorities) to develop an understanding of information resources available and systems that already exist as a platform for developing information products, services and tools for planning, reporting, and accountability
• Develop information tools and products to support the information needs of the Response and Recovery Planning Cluster and the HCT:
• Manage the Inter-cluster website (humanitarianresponse.info and earlyrecovery.info) as a hosting mechanism for meeting schedules, minutes, posting maps, providing standard forms, policy/technical guidance, datasets, and joint needs/gap analysis.
• Develop and manage the 3W database and GIS mapping mechanism to support programming and project coordination, planning and implementation for the Cluster
• Maintain contact lists to facilitate coordination
• Lead the collection of relevant information and data for the Response and Recovery Planning Cluster from government entities, UN agencies, donors, and local and international NGOs
• Prioritize objectives to address information needs in order to facilitate and maximize the exchange of information on the Cluster projects between humanitarian partners.
• Use the on-going mechanisms for data/information collection, processing, analysis and dissemination to address early recovery coordination and information needs.
• Develop and produce a workplan to implement an information management strategy.
• Identify information requirements to support coordination of early recovery activities and early recovery decision making:
• In cooperation with OCHA’s information management staff, strengthen the capacity of the Response and Recovery Planning Cluster to manage information
• Ensure that the information to support the Cluster’s information management needs and its coordination role is submitted/collected, organized, prioritized and made available to all stakeholders in-country, including national and local authorities.
• Develop partnerships with other IMOs and Cluster partners, including national and local authorities, to strengthen information exchange
• Establish contacts to access available national statistics if possible, or statistical surveys carried out in country.
• Ensure information will contribute to an evidence base of good practice to assist advocacy.
• Present data and information in an accessible and useful format (templates, maps, reports) for analysis to support strategic and operational decision making
• Identify data standards and key datasets pertinent to the early recovery process and promote the use of such standards.
• Promote the use of global information management standards and data/information sharing protocols within the Response and Recovery Planning Cluster, UN Country Team, UNDP Country Office and among development and humanitarian partners (including local authorities), such as SHARE standards, standardized metadata, as well as data standards
• In collaboration with OCHA counterparts, contribute and support data collection, data entry and use of standardized information management systems and tools to support humanitarian operations, including early recovery. These standardized databases and systems include: Who does What Where, Contacts Directory, Humanitarian Dashboard, and the Financial Tracking System.

Required Skills and Experience
Education and Certificate:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Information Technology or related field

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of extensive coordination and development experience including renovation and construction works.
• Field experience of conducting different kind of surveys with different sampling techniques
• Experience of data analysis using power pivot and power query
• Experience of database design and development using MS Excel, MS Access and MYSQL
• Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral organizations and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset.

Technical Skills Required:

• Functionally-related professional management skills.
• Technical related skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work activities to meet organizational goals and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results.
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes, programming.
• Reporting skills.

Competencies:

• Ability to think conceptually and flexibly, the 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

Language Requirements:

• Fluent in English.
• Fluency in Hausa and Kanuri would be an asset.

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

Job Title: UN Dispensary Physician

Job ID: 31570
Location: Abuja
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Grade: NOC
Posting Type: Common System
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility of extension
Practice Area – Job Family: HIV and Health – PHYSICIAN

Background

• UN field personnel are exposed to various health and security hazards that may result in disease; psychological trauma and life-threatening injuries. Dedicated, effective primary health, occupational health and emergency medical services may mitigate negative outcomes of trauma, injuries and health complications providing better chances for saving lives as well as for faster and better recovery.
• The UN Clinic Physician, is part of the UN common services of the UN country team in (duty station) and administered by UNDP.
• The UN Clinic Physician will attend to the UN Clinic on a full time basis and provide medical services to staff members and their dependents. In addition, he/she will facilitate for medical evacuations and cooperate with headquarter offices on all related matters and ensures consistent delivery of high quality medical services to the UNCT.
• The UN Clinic Physician will also be responsible for medical examinations of staff, a responsibility he/she will share with other designated UN Physicians. (The UN Clinics operate, with regard to technical matters only, under the general supervision of the UN Medical Director and with UNDP on regards of all administrative matters).

Reporting Structure and Partners:

• Under the overall supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator with regards to all administrative matters and the general supervision of the UN Medical Director with regards to technical matters, UN Clinic Physician, will provide clinical services including medical consultations and emergency care, and supervise the work of the medical staff (including nurses, lab technician and pharmacist).
• The incumbent will promote proactive occupational health policies and best practices and procedures in the medical services in conjunction with Administration.
• This will include outreach to staff and dependents in the areas of preventative health.
• The UN Clinic doctor is expected to take part in the HIV work in the UN work place as outlined in UN One for All.  S/he is part of the emergency response team and will as such work closely with DSS in implementing case-vac and mass casualty response.

Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Duties:

• Attend the United Nations Clinic on a full-time basis.
• Respond to acute emergencies in line with international protocols such as advanced trauma life support management and advanced cardiac life support or Pre Hospital Trauma life support.
• Be able to do triage and primary stabilization.
• Undertake day-to-day clinical duties, e.g. walk-in clinic, pre-placement and periodic medical examinations and immunizations.
• Provide health education.
• Participate in addressing work environment and occupational health issues.
• Undertake medical examinations for UN Agencies international and local staff and dependents.
• Diagnose and recommend treatment to all staff visiting the Clinic on a daily basis.
• Be on call during and outside office hours to observe and treat emergencies in the UN Clinic. Undertake house calls when required.
• Responsible for entry and periodic medical examinations for United Nations staff members who choose to use the UN Clinic for their examinations.

Medical Administrative Duties

• Liaise with other UN Clinics, host-nation medical facilities and medical facilities abroad to coordinate medical evacuations.
• Follow the United Nations established policies and procedures regarding medical clearances, sick leave and medical evacuations.
• Recommend medical evacuation when required to RC (the doctor recommend as the medical expert, submit evacuation request to UN Clinic Health Manager for authorization and facilitate medical evacuations of UN staff and their dependents). Responsible for all paperwork and reporting procedures for medical evacuations in line with UN Rules and procedures.
• Ensure proper follow up on all cases
• Application of terms of reference in UNDP POPP for rules and regulations regarding UN Clinic operations
• Responsible for establishing good relations with reliable hospitals, private medical facilities and blood banks and local physician, including UNEP if available.
• Keep constant contact with the United Nations Designated Examining Physicians to facilitate their availability as and when required;
• Ensure that proper medical records are kept in a strictly confidential manner.
• Maintain emergency medical supplies and equipment to be used in case of emergency situation;
• Replenish first aid kits and other essential medical supplies kept in other duty stations within the country
• Recommend procurement of vaccines, medical supplies and equipment, and ensure that inventory is kept.
• Maintain medical records of all United Nations personnel thru Medgate (Electronic Medical Records System) and advise health precautionary steps to new staff members; already included above
• Prepare and send periodic (quarterly) reports of functions, visits, medical evacuations and treatments at the UN Clinic to the United Nations Medical Service; included below.
• Advise on health precautionary steps to be undertaken at the duty station, and perform any other duties as considered necessary by the United Nations Medical Director and/or the UN Resident Coordinator.

Supervisory Administration:

• Supervise, distribute work to the nurse (s) and other staff of the United Nations Clinic; included below:
  • Manage day-to-day mission medical support operations by ensuring availability of supplies and proper functioning of medical equipment;
  • Ensure that appropriate training programs are implemented in order to maintain and develop the medical capabilities (e.g. health education, HIV/AIDS prevention, First aid and CPR).
  • Responsible for regular reporting on clinic activities, medical facilities available locally and other statistical information as may be required.
  • Responsible for the supervision and distribution of work for the nurse(s) and other staff of the UN Clinic.

Coordination of UN One for All Activities:

• Planning and organization of training of focal points and peer educators;
• Arranging the dissemination of UN policies on HIV/AIDS.
• Conducting an education and information campaign.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Knowledge of clinical, occupational and tropical/travel medicine. Formal training in CPR and, preferably in BCLS and ACLS or equivalent emergency medical care.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Technical/Functional
Primary:

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Technological Awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Commitment to Continuous Learning:

• Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Secondary:
Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced University Degree in Medicine from an accredited University and currently licensed to practice within home country or other national jurisdiction;
• Valid certification in Advanced Trauma Life support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Or Prehospital trauma life support is required;
• Certification in HIV care or VCCT is desirable.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years progressive experience and practice in general medicine in developing countries or countries in conflict, of which at least one year should be in Trauma and Emergency care and two years in Internal Medicine;
• Surgical, ICU, aeromedical or anesthetic experience is an advantage; Experience in Tropical Medicine, Occupational health experience is an asset
• Previous UN medical system/international medical experience is desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is expected.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

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

Job Title: Consultancy on Communication Specialist

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Additional Category: Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date: 02-Aug-2020
Duration of Initial Contract: 90 Days
Expected Duration of Assignment: 90 Days

Background

• The Policy Framework (PF) and National Action Plan (NAP) offers government’s response on preventing and countering violent extremism (PVE) in Nigeria.
• The PF puts together a plan that involves all stakeholders, building partnerships, capacity, knowledge and leadership that ensure safer, secure and resilient communities in the face of violent extremism:
  • The core objectives of this Policy Framework and National Action Plan are to:
  • Institutionalise, mainstream and coordinate PCVE programmes at national, state and local levels;
  • Strengthen accessible justice system and respect for human rights and rule of law.
  • Enhance the capacity of individuals/communities to prevent and counter violent extremism and recover from violent extremism
  • Institutionalise, mainstream and integrate strategic communication in PCVE programmes at all levels
• One of the components of the NAP is to ensure that strategic communication is institutionalised and main-streamed in PCVE programmes at National, State and Local levels. This is because at the centre of violent extremism is the use of propaganda as tool for recruitment and incitement. For example, insurgents seek to radicalise vulnerable people using online video propaganda materials.  Hence, the National Action Plan advocates for the provision of platforms which will aggregate and enhance capacity to provide counter narratives, particularly, at the grassroots level to counter narratives from violent extremist groups.
• Hinged on the ‘whole of government and whole of society’ frame, the PF and NAP aims to work with teachers, religious leaders, traditional and cultural leaders, parents, victims and repentant violent extremist offenders to amplify positive narratives on radio, television, internet, community centres and other communication channels to fill the communication space with positive messaging.
• The PF and NAP recognises that to achieve success in these areas; it will require robust planning, ability to measure success and ensure cost effectiveness. Also, research and intelligence gathering, are required to saturate the media with the correct information that counter the extremists’ propaganda.
• The PF and NAP took into consideration ongoing efforts in handling of persons associated with VE, such as Operations SAFE CORRIDOR, the Nigeria Prison De-radicalisation Programme, collaboration with Civil Society in community engagement and resilience building, strategic communication, and effective prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration of VE offenders.
• The approach marked a point of departure from the hitherto traditional kinetic and reactionary approaches. It also aims to ensure that PCVE is institutionalised and mainstreamed into mandates of ministries, departments and agencies of government, including at state and local level . Part of the goals of the PF and NAP is to partner for safer and resilient communities that are less vulnerable to VE and to recover from the consequences of violence.
• The PF and NAP has a multi-layer approach covering the national, state and local governments to ensure context-specific PCVE relevant and PCVE specific interventions.  It builds networks of peace to create safer and resilient communities across the country with strict adherence to rule of law and respect to human rights while combating VE.
• Building on some of the key recommendations of a UNDP/ONSA PVE 2018/2019 survey in selected states to deepen the body of knowledge on PVE at the grassroots level; which is contextualised within the PF and NAP (2017); the PRVE project goals support national coordination, building community-based bonding, trust and confidence-building activities amongst community security providers and stakeholders including community-based organizations, vulnerable groups and the entire community members in targeted states/communities to enhance community security and peaceful co-existence.
• To this end, the Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy Committee (SC-IPC)  established under the National Security Strategy 2019 and as constituted by ONSA, serves as a messaging hub for content development and dissemination in support of the PVRE project goals, as well as, coordination, synchronisation and measurement of communication effectiveness across implementation platforms, aligning communication strategies with national strategic objectives.
• It is based on the foregoing that UNDP Governance, Peace & Security Unit, in partnership with Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), seeks the services of experienced Communications specialist adept with mainstream, and new media, with ability to moderate and facilitate a capacity-building workshop.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The main objective of the activity is to institutionalise, mainstream and integrate strategic communication in PCVE programmes at all levels of government, as well as, establish a sustainable strategic communication function at PCVE Secretariat.

Specific Objectives Are:

• Engage with ONSA to prioritize PCVE strategic communication in government MDAs, sectors and programmes at all levels.
• Create a sustainable strategic communication function at PCVE Secretariat to support PCVE national efforts to develop and disseminate counter-narrative messaging on VE.
• Produce VE counter-messaging and translate into the major local languages in Nigeria.
• Build and strengthen capacities of strategic communication inter-agency committee and support MDAs mainstreaming of VE counter-narratives into their projects and programmes.
• Produce training manual on PCVE strategic communication for use of MDAs and training of SC Liaison Officers.
• Organize a two-day capacity building workshop on strategic communication for SC-LOs
• Design and mainstream PCVE strategic communication into P/ CVE Secretariat work plan.

Scope of the Consultancy:

• During the period of the consultancy, the consultant will be actively involved in diligent planning, implementation and measuring of success.
• Also, the consultant shall participate in research, and synthesis of information required to be able to produce an applied training manual on strategic communication.
• The consultant shall also liaise with SA Strategic Communication of ONSA in the selection of pioneer trainees/trainers, organization and training of SC LOs on SC.

Specific Tasks.
The consults shall carry out the following specific tasks:

• Produce an inception report with a work plan and clear timeline in consultation with designated ONSA focal points and the PVE National Expert.
• Support establishment of PCVE strategic communication function in ONSA through policy advisory and formulation of role description;
• Develop/strengthen PCVE communication plan
• Develop and disseminate VE counter-narrative messages and translate into major local languages;
• Develop a training manual on PCVE strategic communication;
• Liaise with ONSA and MDAs to identify pioneer trainees/trainers;
• Organize and conduct capacity building training for SC- IPC;
• The first day will be for review of training manual; and review/strengthen or develop communication strategy in the absence of PCVE relevant and specific communication strategy. And the second day will be for capacity building using the new training manual
• The capacity-building workshop will avail opportunities to review training manual produced by the consultant; review, strengthen/ develop communication strategy; and enhance SC – LOs skills. Since all LOs are based in FCT, the workshop will be non-residential:
  • Prepare and administer pre and post training questionnaires to gauge the impact of the training on the participants;
  • Prepare pre and post training survey report and annexed to the main report; and,
  • Prepare a detailed consultancy report including lessons learned and recommendations to enhance PCVE SC at the national, state and communities’ levels.

Condition of Service and Terms of Payment:

• The consultancy is deliverable-based, and the fees shall be paid in two installments and contingent upon the deliverables specified against each installment. The milestones shall be paid upon satisfactory acceptance of the deliverables by UNDP in consultation with ONSA. Upon acceptance of the deliverables, UNDP shall issue a certificate of satisfactory performance to the consultant which shall form the basis for the payment of the due milestone.
  • 1st Installment (20%): Upon submission of inception report/work plan
  • 2nd Installment (80%): Upon submission of satisfactory final report of the assignment.

Reporting:

• The consultant shall work with Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, ONSA
• in content development and crosscheck under the direct supervision of the National Expert, PVE (Project Manager) and overall supervision of the Team Lead, GPS.  The consultant shall engage regularly with UNDP Team Lead for delivering on the terms and conditions of the consultancy while the Project Manager shall oversee the day-to-day work of the consultant.
• The consultants shall be accountable for the delivery or otherwise of the tasks specified under this consultancy and shall only be paid the due milestone upon satisfactory delivery of the terms.  The Project Manager shall ensure that the consultant is able to access all required support and assistance from UNDP that will help in timely delivery of the consultancy terms of reference.

Assignment Duration and Duty Station:

• This assignment is based in Abuja with travel to project workshop venue.  The consultancy shall subsist for a period of 90 days.

Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced degree in Communications Science, Multi-media, Mass Communications, Arts, Development Studies with bias on strategic communication and Humanities, or other relevant fields for, at least, 10 years.

Experience:

• Candidates must also possess, at least, 10 years’ cognate experience in training, and capacity building, on Communication Skills and Strategic Communications and facilitation.
• The candidate must have a mixture of academic experience, facilitation and workshop administration.
• He/she must be fluent in written and spoken English.
• Previous assignment with UN agencies and/or government is an asset.
• Understanding of Violent extremist groups in Nigeria and previous experience in developing Training manual required

Competencies:

• Communication – Ability to listen, adapt and transform
• Team work – Ability to work with others to achieve goals
• Innovation – Ability to make new and useful work
• Delivery – Ability to get things done while executing good job
• Leadership – Ability to persuade others to follow

Language:

• Strong communication skills in spoken and written English, particularly in report writing.

Selection Criteria:
Evaluation Criteria:

• Communications Science, Multi-media, Mass Communications, Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, or other relevant fields for, at least, 10 years. – 20 points
• 10 years’ cognate experience in training, and capacity building on Communication Skills and Strategic Communications; understanding of violent extremist groups and facilitation. – 40 points
• A mixture of knowledge on strategic planning, development of guidelines/manual and academic experience – 30 points
• Previous working experience with UN agencies or national government is an asset – 10 points

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

Job Title: National Consultant for Lake Chad Regional Stabilization Strategy

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Duration of Initial Contract: 7 Months
Expected Duration of Assignment: 7 Months

Background

• Over the last decade, the four countries around Lake Chad Basin, including Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, have experienced unprecedented levels of crises, exacerbated by repeated incidences of violence from the Boko Haram terrorist group.
• These crises have deepened instability, slowed economic growth and engendered deep humanitarian concerns in the region. Additionally, the spread of radicalization, especially amongst youth, remains an imminent threat to peace, stability and development. Absolutist ideologies that reject co-existence, tolerance and progress represent an existential threat to these countries. As such, these ideologies have found recruits amongst the youth who believe that the state has failed them and that they are excluded from legitimate political and economic processes from time to time.
• The crisis has created an urgent humanitarian need for about 10.7 million people in the region. Almost a quarter of these people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict or food shortages largely brought on by Boko Haram’s insurgency.
• In response to the crisis, the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in 2015 signed an agreement for the operationalization of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency in the Region.
• Despite the significant progress made by the MNJTF, it is agreed by all stakeholders that overall success of the collective effort will be contingent upon coherent acceleration and completion of the second phase of the mandate, namely to “facilitate the implementation of overall stabilization programs by the LCBC Member States and Benin in the affected areas, including the full restoration of state authority and the return of the Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) and refugees”. To achieve this, the LCBC was tasked by its Member States to facilitate the mechanisms and processes required to consolidate the gains of the MNJTF.
• In light of the above and with the support of the Africa Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the LCBC developed a five years stabilization strategy – “Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery & Resilience of the Boko Haram-affected Areas of the Lake Chad Basin (RSS)”.
• The RSS provides a comprehensive, integrated and multi-level framework for overall stabilization, comprising nine inter-related pillars which include military support to the MNJTF, provision of humanitarian assistance and key interventions to secure early recovery and longer-term resilience.
• The RSS recognizes the nexus between security, humanitarian and development issues and calls for a “New Way of Working” to be at the heart of the response to the Lake Chad Basin Region crisis. Achieving the “New Way of Working” will require strong coordination between Governments at central and local levels, regional and continental institutions and between UN agencies and entities, including international community partners, civil society actors and the private sector.
• UNDP has developed the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) to support the implementation of the RSS in the four affected countries of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. The RSF, which is a multi-donor basket financial facility, is aimed at i) immediate stabilization of specific target areas, comprises activities to secure three results: a) security & the Rule of Law improved; b) essential Infrastructure rebuilt & basic services delivered; c) livelihood opportunities provided to all households; and ii) support the implementation of the LCBC Regional Stabilisation Strategy, comprises activities to secure three further results: a) LCBC capacities for Strategy implementation enhanced; b) RSS cooperation mechanism.
• To assist in the implementation of the RSS, the RSS Secretariat has hired an International Consultant (IC) who will be responsible for leading the development of eight Territorial Action Plans (TAPs) as part of operationalizing the RSS in each of the eight target States/Regions and will further ensure the cross-border regional dimensions of the consolidated RSS.  The TAPs are the fundamental basis for the implementation framework of the RSS in the eight areas of the four Member States.
• National Governments of the four Member States coordinate the implementation framework through a devolved mechanism that allows Governors to provide direct oversight and guidance. In fact, the TAPs timely and quality development and implementation is a responsibility of the Governors of the affected areas, to ensure localization of the RSS, local ownership and decision making and that local arrangements are in place to stabilize the area.
• The TAPs specify the initiatives to be undertaken in the area under the nine pillars of intervention and has an initial duration five years in line with RSS. Based on this, the IC will work collaboratively with the UN entities in the four countries and sub-regional locations to ensure adequate support to the Governors as agreed with the RSS Secretariat. The IC will lead the developing, approval and immediate implementation of the TAPs. Further, in line with creating systematic coordination of TAPs aligned with the RSS design, the IC will define and support the mechanisms necessary for design of and operationalization of the RSS Pillar Working Groups and for resource mobilization.
• In order to provide adequate and timely support to the IC at the country level, LCBC is looking for a National Consultant in each of the four countries. Each National Consultant will play a vital role in liaising with national and local interlocutors in the development of the TAPs.

Duties and Responsibilities
Preparation of the TAPs:

• Assist the IC in developing the TAPs via delegated engagement with UN agencies, Offices of the Governors, and other partners.
• Assist the IC in collecting, analyzing, and incorporating information, while respecting existing guidelines and templates.
• Assist the IC in ensuring effective participation, consultation, and tailoring of the process to the contextual realities of each region, through the identification and outreach to relevant stakeholders as and where necessary and agreed upon.

Support in the Operationalization of the Pillar Working Groups (PWGs):

• Assist the IC in finalizing the framework and Terms of Reference for the establishment of Pillar Working Groups in the chosen TAP territories to support the development, implementation, M&E, and sustainability of the TAPs.
• Assist the IC in defining the mechanism for consultation and review of the structure of Pillar Working Groups and in using the same framework to gather comments with regard to the proposed structure and in ensuring all comments are incorporated.
• When necessary and delegated by the IC, representing the IC in PWG meetings.

Support the presentation of the TAPs at the Governors Forum:

• Assist the IC in preparing a methodological note of the approach used (development of TAPs, PWGs).
• Assist the IC in preparing Briefing Note and presentation material for the presentation of the TAPs to the Governors Forum.

Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• A master’s degree in social policy, public policy, politics, environmental economics, development studies, political science, international relations, or related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of three (7) years of progressively responsible experience in governance, policy work, or project management or in working with UN agencies, NGOs, or CSOs. An understanding of development, humanitarian, and peace-building issues is desirable;
• Experience in working in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable;
• Experience in data collection, analysis, and production of reports.
• Experience in the UN Common System is desirable.

Competencies
Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to travel to field locations in harsh living conditions required.

Core Competencies:

• Integrity and professionalism: ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality, and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately, and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work; ability to work under pressure.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender.
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff, military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards colleagues, but objective, without showing personal interest.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to travel within the area of operations.

Language:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Deadline: 21st July, 2020.

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