JPO – Programme Analyst – 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. 

As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.

The JPO will work as part of a team and be supervised by an experienced UNDP staff member, including :
•    Structured guidance and feedback, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing of responsibilities 
•    Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
•    Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
•    Completion of the yearly UNDP Annual Performance Review (APR) including learning and development objectives

The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:
•    Participation in a virtual and in person Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
•    Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
•    On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
•    Career development support mechanisms and activities
•    Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
•    Mentoring programme 
•    Other training and learning opportunities

Organisational context

UNDP is the UN’s global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP’s vision is to support countries in achieving the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion. To strengthen inclusive and effective governance, the UNDP Strategic Plan focuses on ensuring participation and voice in pursuit of equitable access to development opportunities and working with poor and other excluded groups as agents of their own development. The UNDP strategic plan 2022-2025 focuses on poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy, and gender equality. These priorities are further supported by powerful enablers – strategic innovation, digitalization, and development finance – which will further accelerate and scale results.

The UNDP West and Central Africa (WACA) Sub-Regional Hub in Dakar works with regional institutions and country offices to deliver on the six priorities of the governance and peacebuilding framework. Taking into consideration the regional context, the Governance and Peacebuilding Unit focuses particularly on prevention and peacebuilding, inclusive transitions, youth empowerment, climate security, local governance, economic governance, security, and stabilization.

UNDP West and Central Africa (WACA) Sub-Regional Hub in Dakar is seeking the services of a Junior Professional Officer (JPO)/Programme Analyst to support the Governance and Peacebuilding Unit in its work on peace and security in Senegal and the WACA region in order to deliver on UNDP corporate frameworks particularly the crisis offer, and the prevention offer.

Under the overall guidance of the Governance and Peacebuilding Team leader, the Programme Analyst will provide technical support to the UNDP WACA Hub and the country offices in promoting sustainable peace and security within the region. The Programme Analyst will support the development of policy and programme frameworks which can enable UNDP to scale up its contribution to peacebuilding and security in the WACA region with particular focus on the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea.

Results Expected
–    Contribution to development of policy and programme frameworks for peacebuilding and security in the WACA region. 
–    Technical support in designing, implementing, and monitoring projects and programmes related peacebuilding and security.
–    Contribution to mainstreaming of risk mitigation and prevention in all UNDP WACA strategic and programme frameworks.
–    Contribution to development of knowledge products and communication materials on peace and security in the WACA.
–    Contribution to the implementation of programme and projects under the Governance and Peacebuilding Unit.
 

1. Policy, Strategy and Development Support:

• Contribute to preparation of policy briefs, sector scans, status papers on developmental challenges/issues based on secondary review of existing literature for evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue. 
• Contribute to development of guidelines and national and sub-national strategy in the areas of institutional strengthening in Senegal and the WACA region. 
• Review of policy literature in respect to the subject 
• Support Identification of barriers and solutions for proposed interventions as well as risk Identification and Mitigation. 

2. Project Design, Formulation & other project related functions:

• Prepare conceptual framework/concept notes on new areas of work/developmental challenge. 
• Provide technical support to the identification of developmental challenges, target areas, beneficiaries and partners and formulation of implementation strategy for UNDP support. 
• Provide technical support for the development on new interventions/projects with Implementation (operational plan, monitoring, and resource requirement) Institutional and management arrangements.
  Conduct studies on project/programme highlights, activities and processes involved. 
• Support preparation and review of project documents. 
• Identify areas/beneficiaries and partners; timing, sequencing of activities; mobilization of finance.
  Support preparation of project proposals, incorporating innovation in concepts, strategies, and incorporation of best practices

3. Predictive analysis, Research and Documentation:

• Undertake secondary research in the new areas of developmental concern based on review of existing literature. 
• Conduct predictive analysis of the peace and security situation in the region and advice accordingly.
  Support development of research design, research questions and scope of work for undertaking primary research in new areas. 
• Document good practices, case studies, innovations and pilot models for wider dissemination and sharing.
  Undertake process documentation of models for upscaling.

4. Capacity Development/Training:

• Based on the capacity assessment, support the development of capacity development plans to achieve the milestones identified and address the identified capacity gaps.
• Support development of training tools/toolkits and manuals based on training needs assessment. 
• Support design of training curriculum and organization of training programmes for various stakeholders.
• Support capacity assessments of public institutions and government institutions for development of strategic interventions for institutional strengthening.

5. Knowledge Management:

• Contribute to preparation of knowledge and communications products related to the projects/programmes (Audio, Video and Hard copies)
• Review of Knowledge products (subject, design, and content) 
• Disseminate knowledge and communications products.
• Contribute to Communities of Practice (CoP) of UN Solutions Exchange (UNSE)
   

Competencies

Core:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning 
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross functional and technical:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree, or Bachelor’s degree in peace studies, conflict management, social studies, political science, development studies or another related field of expertise

• with a MA degree – a minimum of two years relevant and paid experience – maximum 4 years in peace and security work at national and regional level.
• with a BA degree  – a minimum of four years relevant and paid experience – maximum 6 years in peace and security work at national and regional level.
• Experience in project design, management, monitoring, and evaluation. 
• Excellent drafting and communication skills and ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, academic, civil society, business community leaders). 
• Project management experience is desired, ideally in managing projects in the area of peace and security or the WACA region.

Language skills:

• Proficiency in English is required 
• knowledge of French is highly desired.

Nationality of the candidate:

Under the JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to nationals of Denmark. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc