Solutions Adviser – P4  

Background

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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.

In September 2021, the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement (HLP) submitted its report calling among others for a more development-oriented approach to solutions to internal displacement. The report found that for the UN to be fit for purpose and accountable for solutions, fundamental changes are required in the way international humanitarian, development and peace actors engage in contexts of internal displacement, particularly in the leadership and coordination of these efforts. To take forward the HLP recommendations, the Secretary-General launched in June 2022 his Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, laying out a common vision for the UN system to work towards solutions, prevention and response. The Action Agenda recognizes the urgent need for stepped up, earlier and more predictable engagement of development actors to meet demands from national and local governments for support in scaling up their work on durable solutions. The Secretary-General has designated UN Resident Coordinators (RC) as the UN’s lead on solutions at the national level. They are to proactively engage with national and local authorities on solutions, ensure solutions are reflected as a priority in UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), and work with the authorities to develop a whole-of-government solutions strategy through a consultative and inclusive process, which draws on the views, capacities and preferences of IDPs and local communities.

The UNDP administered UN Solutions Advisers Deployment Facility on Strengthening UN and National Capacities for Solutions to Internal Displacement aims at enhancing UN support to governments at the national and local levels on development solutions strategies to address internal displacement, including considering prevention and response strategies. The main purpose is to provide catalytic support to UN RCs and UN Country Teams (UNCT) to advance the Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement through the deployment of trained and experienced Solutions Advisers in the RC Offices (RCO).

 

Position Purpose

In Mozambique, due to both natural/climate and human-made conflict induced forced displacement there is a recognition of the importance to seek durable solutions for IDPs in Mozambique and strives towards stronger strategic, policy, advocacy and programmatic linkages amongst the relevant key actors. Mozambique has been therefore included in the list of the priority countries at global level where the Office of the Special Advisor on Solutions aim at concentrating the efforts and impact in a first phase, piloting initiatives and approaches for scale-up.

The UN Solutions Working Group (SWG) was established early 2022 with two UN entities co-chairing it to ensure that the UN has a coherent and coordinated country-wide focus on community and Government engagement, data-collection, information management and advocacy for durable solutions, as well as a strong fundraising strategy. Under the supervision of the SWG, humanitarian and development agencies are contributing to 4 workstreams (data, community consultation/participation, government engagement and fundraising) and to the definition of 2 flagship proposal (for conflict-affected Northern Region-Cabo Delgado and for the disaster-affected Central Region-Sofala).

The Solutions Adviser will play a key role to support the country-level implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement and collaborate closely with the Office of the Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement and the UN Steering Group on Solutions to Internal Displacement. S/he will connect available global expertise such as from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS) to promote and advance the implementation of durable solutions’ programmes and activities. S/he will also reinforce efforts to mobilize necessary financial resources contributing to the sustainable improvement of conditions of displaced communities.

Administered by UNDP, the Solutions Adviser will work under the overall guidance of the Mozambique RC and the direct supervision of the Head of the RCO to support the UNCT, the Solutions Working Group (SWG) and the Technical Support Group (TSG) on Solutions as well as other relevant national/local coordination bodies and workstreams, including the Humanitarian Country Team. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategic and technical advisory support to the UN RC and UNCT through the Solutions Working Group to lead national/local partnerships on solutions and for UN strategies and programmes to have a solutions approach to displacement:

• Support the operationalisation of the Solutions Working Group and its respective workstreams on Data for Solutions, IDP consultation and inclusion, Government engagement, and financing and resource mobilisation, including tracking and reporting on progress against the workplan.
• Assist the UNCT in producing a UN narrative on ‘UN support to solutions in Mozambique’ that maps out the different programme platforms and approaches across agencies, how they complement each other and how they deliver against the national strategy on IDP management.
• Assist in identifying and addressing any challenges and bottlenecks in coordination and actual implementation on the ground.
• Promote/advise on leveraging programmatic investments by development and humanitarian actors against advocacy goals linked to the inclusion of IDPs in national planning and prioritization.
• Provide technical and operational tools to support the authorities and UN Agencies, as well as other stakeholders, to integrate the multi-sectoral and long-term developmental responses to address internal displacement.
• Undertake training of the UN teams to ensure durable solutions are mainstreamed into the work of UN Agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate efforts for effective humanitarian, development and peace data management on solutions to the CCA update and development of pathways to solutions in the implementation of the UNSDCF 2022-2026 and in HRPs.
• Leading and supporting the knowledge management and sharing among the stakeholders: organizing, contributing to joint-impact assessments, analyses, advocating for evidence based programming on solutions, identifying and sharing best practices, lessons learned. Coordination to ensure coherence and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Support resource mobilization activities for durable solutions activities and programmes under the Solutions Working Group (SWG).
• Support the formulation process of joint proposals among agencies and targeting multilateral funds

Facilitate and promote national/ local ownership and capacities on solutions strategies and prevention of internal displacement:

• Through the Solutions Working Group, support the UNCT in ensuring government ownership and leadership with an engagement at the highest political level.
• Support the national government in the further elaboration of its policy on the management of IDPs and in delivery of solutions-oriented efforts, including identifying priorities and key milestones to address durable solutions to internal displacement.
• Assist the UNCT in engaging government more widely on stakeholder ownership of the Policy on IDP management, and specifically in identifying additional government actor(s) positioned to lead and promote development-oriented initiatives on solutions.
• Enhance the capacities and national/local ownership by the Government of Mozambique on data management (collection and analysis), IDP and host community profiling, socio-economic/ political economy analysis, measuring progress towards solutions and application to national/local solutions programming. Particular attention to be made in collecting disaggregated data and analysing differentiated consequences by age, gender, and diversity.  
• Support authorities and partners to consistently monitor and assess solutions programmes for rapid adjustment and course correction as needed.
• Strengthen government’s capacity, ownership and coordination for knowledge management.

Maintain positive working relations and manage information flows between and among key stakeholders including government counterparts, UN focal points/Agencies, INGOs, private sector, civil society, and the donor community:

• Establish and maintain a network of key stakeholders, including with national and sub-national counterparts, NGOs, donor community, diaspora, private sector and academia.
• Contribute to relevant policy dialogue and policy development processes.
• Support exchanges and inputs of High-Level Advisers, facilitating their in-country missions when required and maintain momentum around issues of displacement and durable solutions.
• Actively participate in global practice networks on durable solutions and other knowledge networking forums and share relevant information with UN agencies.
• Support monitoring trips by representatives of the Special Advisor to Solutions on Displacement.

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

Supervisory Responsibilities: None – the Solutions Adviser will provide strategic advice and support to the RC and UNCT.

 

 

Competencies
Core:

Achieve Results:

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

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

Adapt with Agility:

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

 

Cross-Functional & Technical:

Business Direction and strategy – Negotiation and Influence:

• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations

Business development – Integration within the UN:

• Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations

Business Management – Portfolio Management:

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization´s 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 optimising return on investment

Business Management – Partnerships management:

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

2030 Agenda: Prosperity – Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility:

• Forced Displacement, incl. Durable Solutions

2030 Agenda: Prosperity – Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility:

• Reintegration (refugees/IDPs)

Business Direction and 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 international development, international affairs, migration and displacement studies, or other relevant field is required.
• First level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree. 

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Master´s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in either public sector (national or multilateral, including UN), private (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing level of responsibility.
• At least 4 years of experience in crisis and fragile settings with strong relevant experience in forced displacement and development/durable solutions is required.
• Demonstrated managerial experience is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in programming, partnership development and resource mobilization; excellent coordination, negotiation and communication skills, as well as ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, civil society and academia) is an asset.
• Experience or conversant in the area of internal displacement and/or the Solutions Agenda is desirable.
• Experience on the nexus, conflict sensitive programming is desirable.
• Experience in Mozambique is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Portuguese is required.

Note:

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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