Consultant (Field Coordinator) 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: Consultant for Sokoto Field Coordinator

Location: Sokoto
Additional Category: Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date (date when the selected candidate is expected to start): 01-Aug-2022
Duration of Initial Contract: 6 months
Expected Duration of Assignment: Initial 6 months with possibility for Extension

Background
Insecurity in the North West region of Nigeria – especially Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto is characterized by a complex blending of communal conflicts, farmer-herder conflict, armed banditry and organized crime. These conflict drivers are further amplified by demographic pressure, relative deprivation, perceptions of economic exclusion and climate-induced risks. While numerous peace agreements including in Sokoto and Zamfara and amnesties provided some short-term stability, violence that resurged in the North West, especially in 2020 poses a significant stability risk to the region and country as a whole. In Katsina and Kaduna States for example, organized communal violence and banditry attacks tripled from April to June 2021 and at least 80,150 and 67,192 people respectively are now in IDP camps with many more urbanely displaced. A UN mission to the region identified a combined number of 193 hotspot communities in Kaduna; 194 in Katsina; 106 in Zamfara and 40 in Sokoto – indicating the urgent need to mobilise urgent response and peacebuilding support to the region.

COVID-19 has further aggravated the root causes of conflict and contributed to the escalation of violence. Lockdowns and curfews at the peak of the pandemic amplified the economic burden on already vulnerable populations limiting the pursuit of livelihoods. With the restrictive measures, community peacebuilding efforts were undermined leading to the collapse of peace agreements and narrowing of the opening for women’s participation in peacebuilding processes. The collapse of peace agreements and amnesties resulted in spike of violence in June 2020. Increased violent conflict and criminality in the zone would continue to slow the rate of economic recovery, hamper investments and women’s empowerment and decrease available resources for service delivery and development. An holistic approach to address the spike in insecurity loss of government control, increased displacement, greater inter-communal conflicts, and criminal violence and resultant economic losses, the increased SGBV and VAW, eroded conflict management structure and the narrowed opportunity for women peace and security agenda should be prioritized.

Organizational Context

• UNDP has played a key role in mobilising and catalysing key partnerships around a prevention agenda to find lasting solutions to the NW Security challenge before it escalates to a full-blown crisis. UNDP is represented on the EU-led likeminded Group of Ambassadors and Heads of Mission on the North West. This platform meets on a monthly basis and brings together the UN Leadership and Ambassadors to collectively and collaboratively explore entry points for sustained advocacy, policy and programmatic response
• UNDP has also been on the forefront of shaping the analytics on changing security dynamics in the region. Using sentiment analysis, this assessment conducted in Jan/March 2021 provided the basis upon which the Peace and Stability Outlook below was produced. A series of complimentary conflict analysis were undertaken by the EU, FCDO. Related assessments on the socio-economic context was carried out by UNICEF; while Humanitarian actors undertook rapid review of the evolving humanitarian situation in the country.
• The organisation also produced jointly by UNDP and FCDO as a framework for understanding the changing dynamics of instability in the North West. This note presented to the first North West Likeminded Group set the tone for high level advocacy and engagement in the region. 
• In terms of field engagement, UNDP convened both technical and high level inter-agency mission to the three states  with the objective of mapping possible entry points for UN and International support to the region. This mission had a focus on prevention.
• Therefore, UNDP Nigeria is looking for a National individual consultant to leverage on this work and lay the foundation for UNDP’s programmatic support in the North West Region. The IC will support in undertaking capacity assessments of key peace and governance actors and systems; monitor conflict trends; support with key stakeholder engagement in the field and lastly support with the design of the programmatic framework for the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the overall guidance of the UNDP DRR (P) and supervision of the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor the Sokoto Peacebuilding Field Coordinator will be responsible for initiating key assessments, stakeholder engagement and laying the foundation for UNDP’s Integrated Peacebuilding and Peacebuilding Work in the State while also linking with Zamfara and Katsina State.  

Summary of Key Duties
Capacity Assessment; Socio-economic and Conflict analysis:

• Conduct consultations with key stakeholders to identify peacebuilding needs and assess existing capacities and ongoing support provided other UN agencies, NGOs and development partners
• Conduct assessment of existing capacities for peacebuilding, conflict prevention and trauma-healing in line with the objectives of the project.
• Develop a capacity enhancement plan based on the needs identified.

Support with stakeholder engagement and community Mobilisation:

• Establish opportunities for collaboration with potential partners (all stakeholders including government, civil society, faith institutions, local authorities, UN agencies and other partners) in the State
• Explore entry points for sustained UNDP Support and collaboration across strategic areas of inclusive peacebuilding, cross-border governance, livelihoods and conflict prevention
• Perform other relevant duties, in connection to this consultancy, as required by the UNDP Resident Representative.
• Support with the establishment of Peace and Security Platforms within the State and Cross-border levels in Illela.

Production of the NW Integrated Peacebuilding, Conflict Prevention and Border Governance Project document:

• Identify opportunities for programmatic activities responding to assessed needs related to the objective of enhancing inclusive peacebuilding, conflict prevention and governance in the State
• Contribute to the development of a narrative of the UNDP Prodoc document for support to the North West working alongside team of consultant (s) to be procured
• Provide technical advice on the evolving opportunities for UNDP support including the engagement of counterparts in the State on this area.

Qualifications
Education:

• Master's Degree in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, International development, Public Administration, or related fields.

Required Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of peace, security, conflict analysis and related areas of work
• Demonstrated experience in peace programme project formulation
• Excellent knowledge on the management key stakeholders and community mobilisation
• Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment.
• Ability to produce reports and high-level conflict and political economy analysis.
• Capacity to provide technical assistance to national counterparts, including through dialogue with high level political and administrative officers, including electoral administration, as well as donors and the international community.
• Previous experience in external relations, gender or results management.
• Previously worked as CTA within the framework of multi donor projects would be a strong asset.
• Previous experience within the United Nations System would be a strong asset; and
• Working experience in Nigeria is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) required.
• Fluency in Hausa;
• Additional local languages an asset.

Technical / Functional Competencies
Results-Orientation and Development Effectiveness:

• Plans, prioritizes and produces quality results on time.
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Ability to lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects, mobilize resources.
• Ability to lead formulation and management of budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, and reporting.

Management and Leadership:

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Builds strong relationships with stakeholders, focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback.
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Sets clear performance goals and standards; executes responsibilities accordingly.
• Motivated and demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development and learn.

Innovation and Judgment:

• Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate.
• Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situation.
• Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence.
• Proves knowledge of peacebuilding programming, conflict analysis, capacity assessment, stakeholder engagement and community mobilization.

Payment Modalities and Specifications

• An individual contract will be issued by UNDP. The financial proposal must be expressed through a lumpsum (all inclusive). 
• Payments will be linked to deliverables. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.

Application Closing Date
20th July, 2022.

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

Recommended Presentation Of Offer
The following documents are requested:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
• Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology on how he/she will approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.