Background:
The peace and stability challenges facing Nigeria are becoming increasingly complex. The constellation of actors is now more complicated than they have been in decades and conflicts are spreading throughout the country. 2021 marks the 11th year of the Violent Extremist conflict in the North East. While the security services have recorded pockets of success and has largely been contained to one part of the country, the conflict continues to adversely affect the peace, economy and development of the epicenter of the insurgency (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe).
In the North West of Nigeria, the Farmer-Herder conflict metamorphosing into armed banditry and commercial crime with potential links to global violent extremism networks has quickly become an added strain to Nigeria’s fast retreating peace. Despite its economic potential, the North West has the highest poverty rate in Nigeria. As of 2019, all seven states in the zone had poverty levels above the national average of 40.1%. Millions lack access to basic health care and clean water.
The situation in the Middle Belt – especially in Benue State interwoven around herder-farmer conflict has taken a turn to the worse with the State experiencing the 4th highest cases of Fatalities countrywide. Social cohesion challenged in the South East enabled by historical and contemporary grievances based on exclusion and marginalization have paused a challenge.
There is growing need to scale and sustain a preventative action agenda that deploys sustainable development solutions to conflict and instability by building social stability, enhancing resilience of institutions and addressing the root causes of Conflict.
UNDP is supporting peace and stability efforts through the conflict prevention and integrated peacebuilding programmes on the herder-farmer issues in the Middle Belt and North Central and currently exploring avenues for greater engagement in the North West. These projects are supported by the Peace building fund, Human Security Trust Fund. Opportunities for scale up are currently being explored with partners.
The JPO being recruited will therefore play a central role in supporting these ongoing efforts by UNDP and explore new opportunities for sustained peacebuilding and conflict prevention including in the area of Youth, Peace and Security.
The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme:
The UNDP JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals’ excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.
During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices.
Content and methodology of supervision:
Title of Supervisor: Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor (UNDP Lead on Conflict Prevention, Peace Building, Reconciliation and Resilience)
As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following supervision modalities:
Training and Learning
As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following training and learning opportunities:
Ensure substantive support to Conceptualization and design of projects aimed at promoting peace and social cohesion:
a) Support in developing critical baselines on existing national and state level peace and governance capacities including ongoing initiatives and mechanisms;
b) Identify and support in the integration of innovative approaches in the design and roll out of
Peacebuilding and conflict prevention work in Nigeria
c) Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to the Programme into the portfolio under development
d) Support in the documentation of project outcomes, reporting and packaging of knowledge and practices emanating from ongoing Peace Building work in the region
e) Support developing strategic partnerships to advance UNDP’s work in the Middle Belt, North Central and North West Regions of Nigeria
Ensures provision of project operation and implementation support:
a) Substantive support to ongoing project partners to ensure effective implementation
b) Analysis and research of information in ongoing peacebuilding initiatives and the identification of opportunities for building synergies and initiation of new projects
c) Assist in drafting of project proposals for resource mobilisation in consultation with the Programme team
d) Provision of substantive inputs into strategies for Peacebuilding as required
Contribute to effective implementation of project monitoring and evaluation strategy:
a) Effective support in the application of Results Based Management tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of peacebuilding results
b) Support in the design and formulation of programme Monitoring and Evaluation strategies, ensuring alignment with the Country Programme Action Plan
c) Support in capacity enhancement efforts targeting implementing partners to improve Reporting,
Monitoring and Evaluation of peacebuilding and conflict prevention work
d) Provide efficient and timely responses to partner requests for information
Core
Technical/functional
Education:
Experience:
Language Requirements:
Nationality:
Other desirable education, languages and work experience:
Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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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Contract Duration: One-year appointment, renewable at least once subject to satisfactory performance
This vacancy is archived.