Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The insurgency driven conflict in the Lake Chad Basin, including Northeast of Nigeria has been longstanding and has caused undesirable consequences in terms of loss of lives, created multi-tiered intergenerational grievances, destroyed socio-cultural and socio-economic systems, and remains a threat to immediate, medium and long-term transformation of the affected territories in Nigeria, including Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. Borno has seen a significantly higher impact and the insurgency there has gone through a variety of phases and is marked by cycles that are connected with several factors.
By September 2021, the insurgency in Northeast of Nigeria had taken an unprecedented turn leading to large number of individuals exiting the conflict and presenting themselves to security authorities, largely in Borno State, but also in neighboring countries. Moreover, sustaining this momentum of exits presents challenges to effective process of handling and treatment of the individuals led by government authorities and ensuring their reintegration of ex-associates and former fighters into communities amidst an ongoing conflict, an internal displacement situation and significant intergenerational grievances stemming from the longstanding conflict.
As a response to the mass exits, in November 2021, the State Government of Borno, passed a “Policy on Community-Based Reconciliation and Reintegration” premised on the Vision for long term transformation of the State to contribute to peace and stability. This is a multi-pronged process, featuring State and Federal Government cooperation’s (Including with Military and Security Institutions) in receiving, processing, managing the caseload of those in the hands of authorities. The policy presents several mutually reinforcing directions for a State-driven process namely: a) a locallydriven political process; b) screening, profiling deradicalization and rehabilitation; c) a community-oriented reintegration process and d) reconciliation, healing and the long-term transformation plan and regional priorities under the Regional Stabilization Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin.
UNDP is supporting the Federal and State Government to make operational these approaches through various channels aligned with implementation of the Regional Stabilization Facility – Nigeria window, which is operating in some of the locations that have been identified for reintegration. Additionally, it is also aligned and guides the implementation of the UN Peace Building Project (UN PBF), EU Funded SD3R and recently approved Joint UN Offer Programme. Thus, at the same time supporting alignment with the national/international principles and UNDP policy orientations for effective implementation of community-based reconciliation and reintegration. To this background, the UNDP seeks to recruit an international Reintegration Specialist to support the Reconciliation and Social Cohesion (RSC) Unit to provide technical and advisory support in community- based reintegration and reconciliation programming across the various programs implemented by RSC Unit and UNDP Sub Office in the NE Sub-office.
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the RSC Unit Portfolio Manager, the Reintegration Specialist works to enhance the development and effectiveness of UNDP comparative advantage in reintegration and reconciliation in war affected communities in the Northeast. Specifically, the Reintegration Specialist will focus on enhancing the effectiveness of UNDP as lead player in community-based reintegration and reconciliation in North-East Nigeria. S/he will support the implementation of policies and strategies across programmes and projects; management of risk through designing and implementing risk management mechanism, support effective planning, implementation and follow up to ensure the Unit adopts global best practice in community-based reintegration and reconciliation.
The Reintegration Specialist, will work in close collaboration with the RSC Unit Team, UNDP Sub Office and Program Units. S/he will also work with implementing partners and Government counterparts about reintegration programme planning and development in the Northeast. The Specialist will work closely with RSC Unit team and UNDP SO teams to ensure that reintegration and reconciliation issues are mainstreamed at the highest standards in line with UNDP global best practice in community-based reintegration.
The incumbent will accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment within all implementations and promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse
The Specialist is expected to provide technical, advisory and capacity development support to RSC Unit on all issues related to reintegration and reconciliation programming. More specifically, he/she will provide the following support to the unit:
1.Develop and implement the overall reintegration strategy and related plans/SOPs/mechanisms
Develop a comprehensive reintegration strategy in line with the RSC Unit overall objectives; Develop implementation plans for implementation of the reintegration strategy; Develop reintegration SOPs/mechanisms for facilitation of sustainable reintegration; Closely monitor and periodically review the reintegration process implementation and propose strategic adjustments as and when required.2. Provide technical in the development of innovative reintegration initiatives for implementation as part of RSC Unit and UNDP Sub office niche in the Northeast
In line with the reintegration strategy and plans, come up with innovative reintegration initiatives that fit well within the local context; Regularly review the ongoing reintegration initiatives and document lessons learnt for future; Undertake study of local contexts of BAY states in order to take proactive actions vis a vis reintegration initiatives.3. Provide Technical, Advisory and Capacity Development to RSC Unit and Partners
Advise and support RSC Unit on implementation of reintegration and reconciliation related programme components of the PBF, SD3R, RSF and Joint UN Offer; Ensure that project standards and policies are maintained and communicated appropriately to RSC unit and UNDP SO Staff and Units, State government and implementing partners; Provide technical assistance to staff, counterparts and relevant stakeholders to enhance their understanding of reintegration and reconciliation requirements and identify other opportunities for programme development; Facilitate capacity and training needs assessments of staff, community-based platforms, Government and implementing partners and support the preparation and implementation of a capacity development strategy and plan for the unit on reintegration.Expected Outputs and deliverables
Community based reintegration policy and strategy developed and approved Reintegration SOPs, manuals, guidelines etc. developed and approved Report on training of RSC Unit staff, Government and implementing partners prepared and approved Reintegration best practices documented and shared with relevant donors and stakeholdersInstitutional Arrangement:
The Reintegration Specialist will report and work directly under the direct supervision of the RSC portfolio Manager.
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn continuously: LEVEL 3: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt to Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Business Direction and Strategy System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the systemBusiness Development: Knowledge facilitation
Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externallyBusiness Management: Partnerships Management
Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policiesTechnical: Reintegration and Reconciliation programming
Ability to prepare concepts, projects and analytical reports Reconciliation, socio-economic reintegration and social cohesion: concepts and practical application Required Skills and ExperienceThis vacancy is archived.