The United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) has been supporting Papua New Guinea since 2014. UNDP has been the leading agency in the implementation of the PBF projects in Bougainville, particularly aimed at supporting the fully implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA). Signed in 2001, the BPA is composed of three pillars: Autonomy Arrangements, Weapons Disposal, and a Referendum on Bougainville’s political future. UNDP has worked with the two governments to support the implementation of each of these three pillars.
The 11 December 2019 marked a historical moment for Papua New Guinea (PNG)-Bougainville relations with the announcement of the Bougainville referendum result with 97.7 per cent of voters choosing independence from PNG. The process has been widely acknowledged as credible, transparent, and inclusive by the various international and domestic observer groups.
According to the BPA, the referendum is non-binding; meaning the two governments will consult with each other and the agreed outcome to be ratified by the National Parliament.
To continue supporting the two governments with the implementation of the BPA, including the post referendum process, UNDP has developed two projects that have been merged under one overall umbrella project. The two projects are the Post-Referendum Support Project, funded through donor contributions, and designed to support the immediate post-referendum process, including provision of technical and logistical support to the Joint Secretariat and; a cost extension of the PBF’s Sustaining Peace in Bougainville Project (USD 1 million for 18 months, implemented by UNDP, UN Women and UNFPA). In addition, the later project will work with the key actors to support outlying factions, who remain outside of the peace agreement, engage in the dialogue, and come into the peace architecture.
Both projects will run parallel to each other in ensuring that the post-referendum process is inclusive, with the participation of marginalized groups (women, youth, and veterans).
The post of the National Liaison Officer is part of UNDP’s peacebuilding and governance programme. The National Liaison Officer will be working directly with the Director of the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA). The incumbent work report to the Project Manager in Buka and with oversight of the Assistant Resident Representative based in Port Moresby.
The National Liaison Officer will work closely with key stakeholders and partners in the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the National Government, and in partnership with local civil society. The National Liaison Officer will support implementation of the two projects to support the progress of the post referendum consultations, and ensuring marginalized groups such as outlier factions, women, youth and veterans have an opportunity to understand and partake in discussions.
Functions / Key Results Expected
1. Provide support to NCOBA in its role in implementation post referendum process
- Support the Director of NCOBA on activities related to the post referendum process including drafting workplan and supporting its implementation.
- Maintain contact and regular channels of communication with government officials of the ABG, PNG, Political party leaders and representatives, civil society, including women, former combatants and youth groups, the media, and other relevant actors.
- Under-take fact finding missions in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) in issues related to the post BPA needs including post-referendum awareness, reunification of outlier factions in Bougainville and good governance.
- Initiate and organize periodic Management Committee meetings and follow up implementation of decisions passed by the committee.
- Make sure that the concerned proponents are provided with a clear explanation on the decision of the management committee and is posted on the web-based platform and/or Registry.
- Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the development and implementation of the medium-term strategy, program of work and proposals at sectoral, regional level.
- Participate in negotiations to mobilize external resources from Development partners.
2. Ensure effective engagement of NCOBA and UNDP’s
- Draft Reports on political, security and economic developments that may impact the implementation of the post referendum process
- Support the Project Manager in the preparation of visits to Bougainville by UN senior officials/envoys to AROB
- Lead the preparation of quarterly, annual, and financial reports and submission to contributors and other relevant stakeholders, with a special view to capturing lessons learned and best practices for improving performance
- Perform other functions as required.
3. Communication and coordination and sharing of information and analysis will be strengthened.
- Coordinate the review and appraisal of proposals and investment plans submitted by the implementing entities and ensure provision of quality feedback and effective comments.
- Development and maintain good relations between donors and key stakeholders
- Review and provide quality feedback and effective comments on reporting against results and including lessons learned.
- Perform other functions as required.
- Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision, and values as well as UN core values.
- Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to International Organizations such as UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
- Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
- Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
- Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
- Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities
- Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
- Good managerial and leading skills.
- Demonstrate strong coordination and organizational skills.
- Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team.
- Consistently approaches to work with energy and a positive and constructive attitude.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills.
- Proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options, and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations
- Ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts, and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups
- Proven ability to persuade and influence others to cooperate.
- Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct, and appropriate fashion.
- Build, coordinate and advise on strategic and programmatic partnership
- Facilitate the engagement of major stakeholders or groups in environment and sustainable development decision making, their access to and sharing of information for effective compliance.
- Advise on the development and management of the Facility’s communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities to raise the Facility’s profile at the national and international levels.
- Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter
- Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Willing to undertake other assignments as provided by the Head of the Facility
- Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives,
- Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support,
- Drives for change and improvements,
- Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation,
- Gathers relevant information before deciding,
- Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them,
- Proposes a course of action based on all available information,
- Checks assumptions against facts
- Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area, e.g. peace, political science, human rights, law or social science fields or area related with direct relevance to peace and security a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;
- Minimum of 5 years (with bachelor’s degree) or 3 years (with Master’s degree), of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in peacebuilding, conflict analysis and project management, with extensive field experience.
- Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
- Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain.
- Sound security awareness.
- Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written and national language of the duty station
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
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: 1 year (12 months)