PBF Coordinator – P4

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.

Since the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement signed in August 2000, Burundi has made significant progress in overcoming cycles of violent conflict in the 1970s-1990s and a protracted crisis in 2015. After his election in 2020, President Ndayishimiye has led the country towards more openness and a vision of emerging country. He has resumed relations with bilateral and multilateral partners as well as he led diplomatic efforts to reposition Burundi as key member of the East African Community. Despite these changes, the country is facing a set of structural and governance challenges that are putting pressure on its leadership and growing population. These include economic downturns, regional insecurity, trauma from past conflicts, social inequalities, widespread poverty, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation. 

The PBF portfolio in Burundi aligns with the Peace capitalization National Strategy (PNCP), focusing on priorities such as community-based reintegration, social cohesion, women empowerment, conflict resolution, trauma healing, historical reconciliation, environmental conservation, and inclusive participation. To date, the PBF has invested a total of 98 million USD in Burundi and the country remains eligible for a 5-year transition period (2023-2027) after having exited the UN Peacebuilding Commission in December 2022. The PBF portfolio is composed by four active projects in early 2024. 

The PBF support mechanisms project (2024-2025) administered by UNDP is delivering key actions for the coordination and implementation of the PBF portfolio in-country. In the context of sustaining peace in Burundi, the project is ensuring combined action of three support mechanisms: the UN Support Unit, the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), and the PBF Community of Practice (CoP) to advance peace cooperation in alignment with both national priorities and international standards. The UN Support Unit is providing multi-form assistance to technical capacities of the UNCT and national partners in project implementation, M&E, and development. The PBF Joint Steering Committee is enabling strategic guidance of the portfolio and closer collaboration with government counterparts while the PBF in-country community of practice is strengthening effectiveness of peacebuilding results and practices among peers in Burundi. The project is also ensuring a gender mainstreaming process across the PBF portfolio.

 

Position Purpose

• Provide strategic guidance and quality assurance to the PBF project portfolio
• Support the Steering Committee and supervise the Support Unit team
• Effective coordination within UNCT and with other partners
• Strategic alignment and resource mobilization support
• Ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategic guidance and quality assurance to the PBF project portfolio

• Lead the Support Unit team to deliver timely and high-quality support to recipient agencies and national partners.
• Provide technical expertise to recipient organizations to ensure the coherence and quality of projects and programmes.
• Provide mentoring support and solution-oriented coaching to project teams to accompany them in achieving strategic peacebuilding results.
• Identify entry points to advance peacebuilding cooperation and the localization agenda in-country.
• Support and strengthen the partnership with Civil Society Organizations engaged in the field of peacebuilding in Burundi
• Coordinate activities to ensure the coherence and synergy between projects of the portfolio.
• Ensure diligent follow-up of the execution of projects in liaison with recipient agencies and the Support Unit team.
• Identify implementation difficulties and potential bottlenecks and propose appropriate solutions.
• Put in place systems to track the progress of the Fund’s project results, including data and analysis.
• Ensure quality reporting and coordinate the preparation of progress reports submitted by the recipient agencies and ensure timely submissions.
• Coordinate with the PDA the annual strategic report on the state of peacebuilding in the country
• Ensure compliance with the PBF Rules and Regulations in implementation and reporting.
• Carry out field visits and supervise the monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Strengthen effectiveness of PBF support mechanisms in-country

• Oversee the work of the PBF Support Unit, the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), and the Community of Practice to support project delivery and maximum peacebuilding impact in Burundi
• Plan the work and activities of the PBF Support Unit, the JSC, and the Community of Practice
• Strengthen the PBF Support Unit team expertise in peacebuilding conflict prevention and social cohesion
• Organize agenda of the meetings of the Steering Committee and deliver regular briefings to the JSC so that it can fulfil its responsibility to monitor and supervise the projects.
• As part of RCO, ensure regular interactions with implementing agencies and reports to the Steering Committee and parties involved in the implementation.
• Liaise with government, recipient agencies, and civil society partners for effective project implementation.
• Coordinate closely with UN agencies and NGOs involved in the implementation of peacebuilding projects.
• Coordinate the submissions of UN agencies and CSOs to the PBF Gender and Youth Promotion Initiative calls for proposals.
• Organize field visits to monitor the progress and formulate applicable recommendations for more effective project implementation.
• Support the RCO in the dissemination of the results of projects at the national level and UNCT level.
• Raise the visibility of peacebuilding results achieved by the PBF portfolio and strengthen corporate communication
• Ensure that projects stories, best practices, and lessons learned are shared with PBSO
• Contribute to MHPSS and other peacebuilding policy discussions with evidence from the field
• Share good practices via the Community of Practice
• Provide technical mentoring support to UN-IONGs recipients and national partners as needed

Effective coordination in area of peacebuilding to ensure maximum PBF impact

• Work closely with the Peace and Development Advisor to facilitate information-sharing and dissemination of conflict prevention and peacebuilding tools.
• Coordinate existing partnerships between stakeholders (government, civil society, private sector UN system, international partners) for maximum alignment, effectiveness, and impact.
• Develop and deepen partnerships with UNCT entities, INGOs, and bilateral and multilateral actors
• In synergy with the PDA support the coordination of UNCT entities, technical partners, and funders in peacebuilding
• Support the RC in peacebuilding issues by exchanging information and analyses based on the monitoring of projects and field studies/surveys.
• Ensure new projects are based on thorough conflict analysis in close coordination with the PDA.
• Put in place and ensure internal coordination mechanisms for each project involving national counterparts, and non-government organizations.
• Ensure gender mainstreaming that implementation and monitoring of ongoing projects in close coordination with Gender specialists.
• Establish a knowledge management and lessons learned system based on the results of the different projects
• Keep up-to-date mappings of peacebuilding, social cohesion, and conflict prevention interventions
• Facilitate a consultative framework of technical partners and funders on peacebuilding, conflict prevention and social cohesion.
• Reinforce with the PDA capacities of partners related to conflict-sensitivity and support integration of a conflict sensitive approach in UNCT programming.

Strategic alignment and resource mobilization support

• Ensure alignment of the projects with other interventions planned or in progress, the UNSDCF and national frameworks such at the National Strategy for Peace Capitalization
• Work closely with the World Bank to strengthen synergies of the PBF portfolio with the PRA and other WB interventions
• Contribute with the Peace and Development Advisor to regular analyses of the national context to guide the programming of the UNCT
• Engage with national authorities in the follow-up of ongoing projects and in project development as well as advocate for them taking a larger role in peacebuilding promotion
• Suggest strategic directions and identify entry points for the development of new projects in-country
• Ensure the supervision of the visibility activities of the PBF projects, through the elaboration of strategic communication products on a continuous basis
• Liaise with the RUNO focal points, communication experts, and use social networks and communication products such as the Newsletter, 2-pagers, etc.
• Liaise on a regular basis with UN regional entities and offices to analyze developments in neighboring countries and identify the potential for cross-border interventions with Burundi.
• Contribute to the development of cross-border projects and programmes for possible PBF financing
• Contribute to periodic reviews of the intervention strategy and its relevance to the context.
• Ensure communication on the progress of projects as catalysts for the consolidation of peace.
• Ensure a monitoring role for the identification of potential funding sources
• Undertake any other task requested by the Resident Coordinator

Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to PBF programme
• Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.
• Coordinate and ensure integrated support in development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Organize and deliver training for staff on programme related matters.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities :The PBF Coordinator will supervise a team of 3 personnel (PBF MEAL Analyst, PBF Administrative Associate, PBF Partnership Officer).

 

Competencies

Core Competencies

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: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with 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

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

 

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Management-Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Direction ad strategy-Infrastructures for Peace: Knowledge of mechanisms and methods and the ability to contribute through dialogue and consultation in preventing conflict. 
2030 Agenda: Peace Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions:National and sub-national capacities for planning, financing, coordination, and crisis management
Business Development-Gender Issues & Analysis: Knowledge of gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of projects from a gender perspective
Business Management-Monitoring and Evaluation: Knowledge of methodologies, assessment tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations
Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Business Direction & 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 system

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Social Sciences, or Management, International Development, or related field is required. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree)in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level   in management or coordination of projects or programs is required
• At least 3 years in the field of peacebuilding is desired.
• Relevant experience in project cycle management, project development, results-based management and reporting in development programming is required.
• Experience in consultations and negotiations with governments and TFPs is desired.
• Experience in team supervision and leadership is desired.
• Experience in leading inter-agency teams not under one’s direct supervision is desired.
• Proven experience in conflict analysis and conflict-sensitive programming is desired.
• Working knowledge of PBF processes and guidelines is desired.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills/experience with high-level interlocutors, to facilitate liaison and negotiations with government and international organizations is desired.
• Experience and good skills in monitoring and evaluation is desired.
• Previous experience with the United Nations would be an asset.
• Experience and good knowledge of peacebuilding issues in the Eastern Africa would be an asset

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written French is required.
• Working knowledge of English would be an asset.

Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 Disclaimer

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.

 

Non-discrimination 

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

 

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