Organization Mission

The Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (RCO) is the main coordination structure for the United Nations system in Tunisia. It fulfils several roles:
– Coordination and support: Facilitates the coordination of United Nations activities with national priorities and local capacity building.
– Leadership and advocacy: Represents the United Nations Secretary-General and steers the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
– Strategic engagement: Works with the government, civil society, bilateral partners, the private sector and academia to address national challenges and promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Context

The joint UNDP-DPPA programme on building national capacities for conflict prevention has made a ground-breaking contribution in bridging the gap between political engagement and development assistance in pursuit of preventing conflict and sustaining peace. In its new phase (2019-2023). The deployment of Peace and Development Advisors (PDA) has been the primary instrument of the Joint Programme to provide capacity for Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams (UNCT) to support national partners in dialogue and national or local mediation processes, the establishment and operationalization of national infrastructures and mechanisms for peace, and other initiatives aimed at sustaining peace. Like in Tunisia, and to ensure that PDAs are better equipped and empowered to deliver on their mandates, the Joint Programme has established in several contexts small ‘Peace and Development teams’ where a national Peace and Development Officer provides reinforced capacity to the PDA’s engagement in support of the RCOs and UNCTs in conflict prevention and sustaining peace. Since 2011, Tunisia has undertaken a promising path towards democracy, with the establishment of new democratic institutions and the consolidation of Human Rights. 2021 announces itself as a pivotal year for Tunisia with a new Constitution in 2022 giving precedence to a presidential system, a new powerless parliament, and a second chamber called the council for regions and districts. More and more restrictions on freedom of expression and demonstrations are being recorded, and several political figures, activists and journalists are being arrested on conspiracy charges. Social dialogue with trade unions and employers is frozen. On the economic front, public finances remain in a state of crisis, especially with the failure to conclude negotiations with the IMF. Frustrations due to high expectations for a quick and substantive change of living conditions have prompted some disenchantment with the political process. Social unrest is frequent, especially in inland poor regions. Given the ongoing challenges, capacities for analysis and advice to the UNCT will be especially sought after, and the need for a good understanding of dynamics is crucial to help the UN set programming and advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Peace and Development Officer (PDO), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist in research, information-gathering, and analysis on the context with a specific focus on: analysis of violence risks of violent extremism and radicalisation, promotion of social cohesion and peacebuilding;
• Contribute to the data gathering and processing of the online early warning platform called “Crisis Risk Dashboard (CRD)” in close collaboration with UN partners and relevant teams;
• Support the PDT in undertaking political scanning, context analysis, monitoring the situation in the country, and reporting of issues related to peace and development, including through analysis of local and international sources ;
• Support mitigation measures and programmatic responses to climate-related risks.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking an active part in UNV activities (for instance, in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible

Required Skills and Experience

in conducting analysis, research and drafting skills
• Gender issues
• conflict analysis

Core Competencies

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility
☒ Commitment and Motivation
☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning
☒ Communication
☒ Knowledge Sharing
☒ Professionalism
☒ Working in Teams

Living Conditions

Geography and Climate: Tunisia, the smallest country of the North African coast, with a population of slightly over 10 million of which about 60% live in urban locations, has one of the highest living standards on the continent. Tunis is the capital of the country and the largest city (population of approximately two million in and outside the city proper). As a small country, all destinations within Tunisia can be reached in a day drive. Tunisia borders with Libya (Southeast) and with Algeria (West).

Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate. Along the coast of northern Tunisia, summers are hot and dry, and winters are warm and rainy. In the northwest, there is occasional snowfall in the mountains. In southern Tunisia, it is hotter and drier. Southern Tunisia, where the Sahara begins, is semi-desert. In some parts, there are oases with giant palm trees and small market gardens.

Religion: About 99 percent of the population is Muslim, especially Sunni Islam, as it is the major and state religion. Tunisia has also a small Christian population, composed of Roman Catholics, members of the Greek Orthodox Church, and French and English Protestants. In addition, there is a small population of Sephardic Jews.
Economy: The country does not have vast stocks of hydrocarbons like its neighbours Algeria and Libya but has prospered under long-standing government policies to develop manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. At the same time, social programs limit population growth, provide a high standard of education, and ensure a relatively decent standard of living for all. The largest percentage of Tunisia’s exports are agricultural and mining products, which generate over 11 billion dollars a year. Tunisia”s biggest export partners are France and Italy. Tunisia is a member of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), the Arab Monetary Fund, and the Union of the Arab Maghreb (UMA).

Public transportation: In addition to the private taxi services, the state runs a reliable and cost effective public transport system.
Safety and security: The crime rate is low, but there have been cases of theft. Walking alone during daylight hours is permitted, but you may want to be more careful at night. Tunisia is still undergoing a critical period of democratic and social transition. The heated political debate has, at times, developed into a localized confrontation among ideological opponents. Although these tensions are unrelated to foreigners, it is nevertheless important to remain updated on the political situation. Therefore, security advice is sent systematically by UNDSS and UNHCR security staff. Since 2015, there have not been terrorist attacks in Tunisia.