The Conflict Prevention and Recovery Team (CPRT) has primary responsibility for practice development in the area of conflict prevention and recovery. The goal of the Conflict Prevention and Recovery Team is to provide support to UNDP country offices and UN Country Teams in their efforts to strengthen national capacities for conflict prevention, conflict management, peace-building and related recovery programmes, assessments and planning. The team provides high quality technical support to UNDP country offices for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation conflict prevention and recovery programmatic activities.

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Conflict Prevention Group (CPG), the Programme Specialist will provide support to the Team Leader, with respect to the day-to-day and strategic management of the Group, as well as to policy practice development on conflict prevention and recovery and natural resources issues. The Programme Specialist will provide assistance in the provision of high quality policy advice and technical support to UNDP country offices, in collaboration with the BCPR regional programme support teams, and where appropriate with key UN and external partners.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Contributes to the development of partnerships and entry-points with national counterparts for conflict prevention initiatives
• Provides support to country offices in the development and implementation of conflict prevention programmes, including in emergency/Surge settings
• Provides support to the generation of new knowledge and practical guidance on conflict prevention and recovery issues, especially in relation to linkages between natural resources and conflict
• Provides support to UNDP country offices and national counterparts in joint analyses of conflict risks
• Provides support to the establishment/maintenance of partnerships and strategic positioning of UNDP in the field of conflict prevention, with a focus on the link between natural resources and conflict

Contributes to the development of partnerships and entry-points with national counterparts for conflict prevention initiatives, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support to UNDP COs in developing partnerships and entry-points with national counterparts
• Buy-in and participation obtained from often conflicted national counterparts with regard to addressing sensitive issues such as conflicts over land and natural resources, political transitions and governance reform

 Provides support to country offices in the development and implementation of conflict prevention programmes, including in emergency/Surge settings, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assistance in the implementation of activities of the Conflict Prevention Group that are aimed at achieving the outcomes of the UNDP Strategic Plan and BCPR priorities
• Assistance in reporting on the results of the Conflict Prevention Group in accordance with the outcomes identified in the BCPR strategy
• Coordination, as required, with other BCPR units, including other teams of the Advisory and Programme Support Division (APSD), of the Strategic Resource Management Division (SRMD), and of the Policy and Planning Division (PPD)
• CPG results achieved, articulated, and reported in accordance with UNDP strategy and BCPR priorities
• Provision of technical expertise to UNDP country offices and, where appropriate, UN Country Teams in the development and implementation of conflict prevention strategies and programmes
• Collaboration with UNDP country offices in the design and implementation of targeted initiatives to strengthen national capacities for conflict prevention and to build consensus through dialogue, and provide ongoing technical backstopping
• Facilitation of the development of joint programmes with key UN partners in support of conflict prevention initiatives in country, in particular in the context of the Joint UNDP-DPA Programme on Strengthening National Capacities for Conflict Prevention

Supports the generation of new knowledge and practical guidance on conflict prevention and recovery issues and the use of natural resources, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Knowledge management focal point for the Conflict Prevention Group, liaising with BCPR’s Knowledge Management Team in the Policy and Planning Division (PPD)
• Collaboration in the codification of knowledge on selected aspects of conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery and the link with natural resources
• Contribution to the development of knowledge management tools, products
• Participation in knowledge management processes within BCPR and UNDP
• Increased profile and international recognition of UNDP as a thought leader on conflict prevention and recovery issues

Provides support to UNDP country offices and national counterparts in joint analyses of conflict risks, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Substantive and technical leadership in the design and implementation of country-based participatory conflict analysis processes, and their translation into programming
• Development of better informed pertinent programmes on conflict prevention
• Contribution to the building of lasting capacities for conflict-sensitive development planning
• Better understanding of impending crises and the detailed factors behind potentially violent tensions, thus leading to more effective programming
• Assistance in the provision of policy advice and technical expertise to COs for the development of programmes and activities on conflict prevention and recovery issues
• Participation in field missions, where appropriate
• Concrete conflict prevention and recovery programmes designed and implemented by UNDP country offices in selected countries

Provides support to the establishment/maintenance of partnerships and strategic positioning of UNDP in the field of conflict prevention, with a focus on the link between natural resources and conflict, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation of background papers and briefs for the Chief to support advocacy and representation functions
• Compilation and analysis of background documentation on the link between natural resources and conflict

Impact of Results
The key results will enhance UNDP/BCPR’s profile with key international and bilateral partners in terms of its value added/role in helping programme countries to prevent, or recover from violent conflict. UNDP is recognised as a leader in assisting governments to design and implement conflict prevention and recovery programmes within broader strategic UN and national frameworks. UNDP’s conflict prevention and recovery policy and programming are strengthened.

Functional Competencies:

BUILDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS 
Identifying and building partnerships

• Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments
• Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved

PROMOTING ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING 
Developing tools and mechanisms

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

JOB KNOWLEDGE/ TECHNICAL EXPERTISE: 
In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of crisis prevention and recovery as well as the fundamental concepts of conflict
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of crisis prevention and recovery and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

CLIENT ORIENTATION 
Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
• Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively

Core Competencies: 
Ethics & Values: Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity.  Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status

Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment Understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients

Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring: Self-development, initiative-taking.  Takes appropriate risk in developing new or adapting existing methods and approaches to more effectively perform tasks or to solve problems in new and unique ways

Working in Teams: Acting as a team player and facilitating team work.   Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals

Communicating Information and Ideas: Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively.  Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner

Self Management & Emotional Intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively

Conflict Management/Negotiating & Resolving Disagreements: Managing conflict.  Remains calm, composed and patient, regardless of his/her own state of mind in the face of conflict

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning: Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others
Demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development and keeps abreast of new developments in his/her professional field

Appropriate and Transparent Decision-making: Informed and transparent decision making.  Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions

Education:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, development studies, peace and conflict studies, sociology, international relations, law, anthropology, public administration, or other relevant fields.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in conflict prevention and recovery issues
• Relevant field experience, especially in crisis or post-conflict settings.
• Experience of conflict-sensitive programming

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required; working knowledge of other UN official language (preferably French or Spanish) is an asset