Back JPO - Prevention of Violent Extremism Analyst

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.

 Job Purpose:

The Crisis Bureau (CB) has corporate responsibility for UNDP’s corporate crisis-related work and driving UNDP’s vision and priorities for crisis prevention, response, and recovery, to support the strategic results, outcomes and outputs of UNDP's Strategic Plan. CB teams provide technical advice to Country Offices; advocate UNDP corporate messages; represent UNDP as required, including at multi-stakeholder fora, public-private, and government-civil society dialogue initiatives; promote and support South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives; and engage in UN interagency coordination in the areas of work the Strategic Plan – building resilience to shocks and crises, in order to safeguard development gains.

Together with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), the CB forms the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of global experts and practitioners providing timely development advice, delivering support to Country Offices and programme countries in a coherent manner to connect countries to the world of knowledge, resources and networks of best practice they need to achieve development breakthroughs.

Within the CB, the Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions (CPPRI) team works on the integration of governance, conflict prevention and peacebuilding interventions.  The CPPRI team leads and coordinates UNDP's corporate, global approach on how to address the prevention of violent extremism from a development perspective.

While a security-centered approach to violent extremism is necessary, it is not enough and needs to be complemented with a development approach through implementation of the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (“the Plan of Action”) and in coordination with the PVE related sections of the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

UNDP, with its global presence and reach, solid basis of already existing PVE programming at the country and regional level and convening and coordinating power is well placed to implement development solutions to prevent violent extremism and support the Plan of Action by strengthening partnerships.

As a member of the CPPRI team, working in close collaboration with other GPN Teams, Regional Bureaus/Hubs, Central Bureaus of UNDP and in collaboration with partner agencies/entities, s/he is responsible for supporting the following:

• Contribute to development of PVE policy, knowledge management, quality assurance and innovation
• Support development and implementation of PVE National Actions and global programming in the field of PVE; 
• Support implementation of UNDP Gender Equality Strategy with a focus on Women, Peace and Security in relation to PVE and return/reintegration of women (implement actions from Invisible Women);
• Support team related corporate planning and reporting requirements;
• Support UNDP’s engagement in the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Task Force.

Reporting structure and partners

Reports to Team Leader, Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) , CPPRI, Crisis Bureau.

Within the Crisis Bureau, the Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions (CPPRI) team works on the integration of governance, conflict prevention and peacebuilding interventions.  The CPPRI team leads and coordinates UNDP's corporate, global approach on how to address the prevention of violent extremism from a development perspective.

Content and methodology of supervision:

As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following supervision modalities:

• Structured guidance provided by the supervisor, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing the responsibilities of the JPO
• Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
• Effective supervision through knowledge sharing and performance/development feedback throughout the assignment
• Easy access to the supervisor
• Participation in Unit/Team/Office meetings to ensure integration and operational effectiveness
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
• Completion of the yearly UNDP Performance Management Document (PMD)
• If more than one supervisor; clear agreement of the roles and responsibilities between the relevant parties

In addition, the following specific supervision arrangements will apply:

• Development of key results: the JPO’s agreed Key Results and Competency Assessment which will cascade from the integrated work plan (IWP) of the unit;
• Regular review of progress: the JPO will meet with his/her supervisor on schedule basis to review personal development and learning needs as well as work planning and review of deliverables;
• Regular participation in unit meetings, where s/he will report on his/her progress as well as on the chalnges faced;
• Annual and midterm performance assessment.

Given the nature of a JPO position, CB will support learning and training opportunities of the JPO by encouraging cross practice activities, to ensure that expectations are fulfilled personally and professionally. Informal performance feedback will be given on assignment basis. 

Training and Learning

As part of the UNDP JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following training and learning opportunities:

• Participation in a two-week long Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course in New York within the first 3 to 6 months of assignment (pending travel recommendations due to COVID 19 restrictions)
• Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
• Other training and learning opportunities, as presented in the UNDP JPO Orientation Programme

In addition, the JPO will benefit from the following specific training and learning modalities/opportunities in the receiving office: CB/CPPRI will support learning and training opportunities of the JPO by encouraging cross practice activities between the main projects and initiatives managed/coordinated by CB/CPPRI, and, to ensure that expectations are fulfilled personally and professionally. Informal performance feedback will be given on assignment basis.

Contribute to policy development:

• Contribute to policy development in the area of PVE;
• Support the provision of policy advisory services in PVE, in response to country office needs;
• Conduct analysis of country data, develop and maintain knowledge datasets and distil relevant lessons;
• Contribute to research, development of knowledge-based tools, such as policy positions/practice notes/concept papers and other research papers to help influence/advance policy dialogue;
• Support incorporation of the use of artificial intelligence, big data and innovation in PVE.

Support development and implementation of PVE National Actions and global projects in the field of PVE:

• Support the implementation of the joint EU-UN STRIVE Asia and other projects as part of the PVE Global Project;
• Provide programme support related to the design, management, oversight and monitoring and evaluation of PVE support;
• Support work planning, monitoring and reporting;
• Contribute to Crisis Bureau support of UNDP’s country offices on PVE in the field.

Support implementation of UNDP Gender Equality Strategy with a focus on Women, Peace and Security in relation to PVE and return/reintegration of women (implement actions from Invisible Women):

• Provide support to activities and programming developed through the Global initiatives on gender dimension of PVE;
• Support the implementation of Invisible Women: Gendered Dimensions of Return, Reintegration and Rehabilitation programming recommendations/roadmap;

Knowledge Management:

• Contribute to knowledge generation and management, including through the UNDP Communities of Practice;
• Contribute to building the community of practice through partnership building, communications, and outreach to other practices, Regional Bureaux focal points, UN partners and other relevant organizations;
• Provide support in the organization of practice events and networks

Support UNDP’s engagement with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Task Force and other intra and inter agency working groups:

• Provide support to Global Compact Working Groups including the Working Group on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism (PCVE), as relevant;
• Contribute to and/or represent UNDP in intra and inter-agency processes;
• Stay abreast of discussions taking place in PVE interagency task forces.

• Innovation - Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Leadership - Ability to persuade others to follow
• People Management - Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Communication - Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Delivery - Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

• Trends and emerging areas analytics - Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design
• Complex Adaptive Systems - Knowledge of complex adaptive systems and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Gender and Institutional Development - Knowledge of systems for gender mainstreaming and capacity development and interagency collaboration and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Civil Society Engagement  - Knowledge to create and implement civil society initiatives and apply across UNDP's development work
• Crisis Policy and Tools - Ability to develop and implement methods and tools for crisis situations
• Design Thinking - Knowledge of method (s) for practical, creative resolution of problems and creation of solutions, with the intent of an improved future result.
• Data Measurement - Ability to set goals and indicators and to interpret and synthesize results into usable information to inform policy, strategy, and/or action
• Crisis Assessment - Ability to use methods, tools and regional analysis to determine impact of various elements for crisis and post crisis situations

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, development studies, conflict studies, international relations, political science or related field is required. 

Working experience:

• A minimum of two years of professional experience providing advisory support and technical assistance in the area of conflict prevention, peace and security, gender, PVE and/or peacebuilding.
• A minimum of one-year field experience in conflict and gender analysis and application of conflict-sensitive approaches to programming, including with a focus on gender and youth, preferably in a conflict-affected or post-conflict context, is required.

Other desirable education, languages and work experience:

• Preferably a minimum of two year of relevant work experience in a developing country and/or bilateral/multilateral development agency or NGO.
• Experience in a crisis/post-conflict country would be a significant advantage.
• Previous work experience with the UN system would be an advantage.  

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of oral and written Korean and English language
  • (a)  MOFA will test shortlisted candidates for Korean proficiency
  • (b)  A minimum of iBT TOEFL score of 107 or NEW TEPS score of 452 or
  • TEPS score of 800.
• Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset

• (a)  MOFA will test shortlisted candidates for Korean proficiency
• (b)  A minimum of iBT TOEFL score of 107 or NEW TEPS score of 452 or
• TEPS score of 800.

Nationality:

• Under the UNDP/WHO JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of the Republic of Korea. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.jposc.undp.org/content/jposc/en/home/how-to-apply.html

Age of applicant:

Not older than 32 years of age as of 31st December of 2020 (Born after Jan. 1 1988) (The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended accordingly)

Male applicants should complete the Korean military service or be exempted from it. The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended in accordance with the ‘Support for Discharged Soldiers Act’ and the military service law.

• Age limit for male candidates who have completed the service: Less than one year will be extended for one year;
• one year above and two years under will be extended for two years;
• two years or more will be extended for three years.

Documents:

Applicants should submit the documents (in English). Each Int'l Organizations should provide space/section on their application page where applicants can attach all of the following: 

• Scanned copy of applicant’s Resident Register
• Graduate or diploma certificate
• Certificate of English language proficiency. Applicants should submit a minimum of iBT TOEFL score of 107 or NEW TEPS score of 452 or TEPS score of 800.
• Only for male applicants: A certificate of Korean Military Service.

All applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application.

For more details about the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit: https://www.jposc.undp.org/

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: One-year fixed-term appointment, renewable at least once subject to satisfactory performance