Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders; Programme Officer, P3 (Nairobi); and other opportunities

Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders

Peace Direct believes that in every conflict there are local organisations doing remarkable work to prevent violence and build peace. And we should know – since 2004 we have sent over £2 million in funding to dozens of peacebuilding groups across Africa, Asia and Latin America, and we’ve mapped and profiled 700 more on our website Insight on Conflict. Now, we are launching ‘Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders’, a new competition to find the best emerging peacebuilding organisations.

Four winning entries will be selected by our expert peacebuilding jury. Each winning entry will receive:

  • $4,000 funding for peacebuilding activities
  • The opportunity to attend a Peace Direct peacebuilder conference or visit another peacebuilding organisation
  • Promotion of their work online.

In the longer term, Peace Direct will use this competition as part of our processes to find partner organisations that we can further fund and help to scale up their work. The winners will be announced on the International Day of Peace, 21 September 2013. An application form, guidance notes and full terms and conditions can be found on our website.

DEADLINE: August 9, 2013

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Programme Officer, P3 (Nairobi)

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

  • Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; monitor and analyse programme/project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions.
  • Provide substantive and analytical support to various political processes relevant to disaster risk reduction, such as the UN General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the post-2015 development framework, as well as the follow up to the Rio+20 Summit.
  • Prepare reports and various written outputs based on the information gathered and analysis; draft background papers; provide inputs to publications, etc. Undertake research and studies, report and present information gathered from diverse sources; identification of information needs or gaps and preparations of impact evaluation reports.
  • Provide substantive support to the workshops, side events, consultations and other meetings organized by the UNISDR secretariat, including preparation of background documents, discussion papers, agendas, invitations and other relevant documents.
  • Assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
  • Represent UNISDR in relevant interagency and intergovernmental meetings relared to disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, as well as environmental and humanitarian issues, and provide substantive support for activities carried out in the context of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), High Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) and Chief Executive Board (CEB) and other relevant inter-agency mechanisms.
  • Undertake outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc. and make presentations on assigned topics/activities.
  • Support and carry out activities related to planning, budgeting and funding. Contribute to work and cost plans of the office, including preparation of progress reports and other relevant updates as required.
  • Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

DEADLINE: August 7, 2013

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The West Africa Peacebuilding Institute (WAPI) 2013

The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) in partnership with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) would like to announce the start of admissions to the West Africa Peacebuilding Institute (WAPI) 2013.

This year’s Institute will be held from 02nd to 20th September, 2013 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana.

WAPI is a three-week intensive training program that aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society-based peacebuilding practitioners and institutions in order to promote the development of indigenous responses to conflict.

Six courses will be offered during the three-week period, each week having two 5-day intensive courses running concurrently. The courses are highly interactive and participatory, blending theory and practice in the field of peacebuilding.

Admission to WAPI is open to practitioners, students, policy makers and civil society members, business community and individuals interested in peacebuilding, processes of dialogue and mediation, conflict analysis and development, cross-border crimes, electoral disputes management, youth and peace education, conflict prevention and gender, natural resource conflict management.

Send the completed application form to: wapi@wanep.org and facquah@wanep.org

DEADLINE: August 12, 2013

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Job: Head of Horn of Africa, Saferworld, Nairobi

Saferworld is an international non-governmental organisation working to prevent and reduce violent conflict and promote cooperative approaches to security.  We believe that everyone should be able to lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from insecurity and violent conflict.  We work with governments, civil society and international organisations globally and in over 15 countries in Africa, Europe and Asia.

The Head of our Horn of Africa programme will be responsible for the design and delivery of all Saferworld’s work promoting conflict prevention and cooperative approaches to security and justice in the region.  The current focus is on Kenya and Somalia with developing interests in Ethiopia and the sub-region.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate significant experience of policy, management and advocacy gained at a senior level in an NGO, government or international organisation, together with proven knowledge of the discourse on conflict prevention and reduction, security and justice sector development, and of the international policy environment in which these issues are addressed in the context of the Horn of Africa.

For detailed job description, terms and instructions on how to apply, please visit the website and download an Application Pack.

DEADLINE: August 14, 2013

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Job: Regional Technical Advisor, UNDP, Multiple (Bangkok, Nairobi, Panama)

This is a UNOPS Vacancy Announcement. Please follow this link to sbumit your application
Application submitted via UNDP Website will not be considered.

The UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy. EEG is responsible for providing leadership and technical support for the delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. In particular, EEG assists UNDP Programme countries to develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental management objectives into development at national and local levels, but also at global and regional scales, and thus ensure that development is sustainable. The principal areas of work are: environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of natural resources.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, as defined by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is referred to as “REDD+”. EEG’s REDD+ Team is globally spread, with advisors in New York, Geneva and Oslo. Regional teams are located in UNDP’s Regional Centres in Bangkok (Asia-Pacific) and Panama (Latin America and the Caribbean), while the regional team for Africa is in Nairobi in order to be co-located with UNEP’s REDD+ Team. The regional teams support UNDP’s country offices and partners in their region. Support to UNDP country offices is coordinated closely with the Regional Bureaux.

The EEG REDD+ team is responsible for a growing portfolio of $100m. The work is primarily concentrated in the UN-REDD Programme, a collaborative partnership with FAO and UNEP. UNDP is also a Delivery Partner for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). In addition, the team is responsible for other REDD+ initiatives and ensuring overall quality assurance. The team especially works closely with the UNDP-GEF team to provide guidance on GEF-funded projects related to REDD+ and with the Low Emissions, Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) team to ensure UNDP’s efforts on REDD+ contribute to broader transformational change. The team can support the REDD+ initiatives of the regions and country offices and provide quality assurance on a full cost-recovery basis.

Expected Contribution to the REDD+ Team

Regional Technical Advisor REDD+ (RTA) are primarily responsible for:
  • Providing high quality technical policy, programming, implementation support and oversight;
  • Collaborating with UN-REDD, FCPF and other REDD+ partners at regional and national levels; and
  • Knowledge and capacity development services to UNDP country offices and project/programme teams.
RTAs have regular contact with UNDP Country Offices and national counterparts throughout the project cycle for UNDP programmes and projects related to REDD+. Where EEG operates a Delegation of Authority to the Country Office, the RTA is responsible for quality assurance and provides specialized technical services. In all cases, the RTA makes recommendations to the UNDP Resident Representative or Country Director on necessary courses of action in response to changes in the country context and new programme and resource mobilization opportunities.When requested, RTAs represent UNDP in international and regional fora, liaise with external clients and a broad range of constituencies and UNDP counterparts in the Government, civil society as well as counterparts from other international organizations. RTAs promote good cooperation and coordination among programme and operations staff and between the Country Office and Government counterparts.The RTAs will be based in Bangkok, Nairobi, and Panama. Each RTA will report to the Senior Regional Technical Advisor for their respective region, under the overall guidance of the Principal Technical Advisor (REDD+) and in close collaboration with global advisors and other members of UNDP’s REDD+ team.
Duties and Responsibilities:

Development, formulation and review of programmes and projects, with the associated resource mobilization when needed:

  • Work with clients to develop and formulate national Readiness Preparation Proposals (R-PPs);
  • Coordinate the submission and approval of R-PPs, National Programmes and relevant REDD+ interventions;
  • Provide timely and quality information and technical advice on sources of funds, policies, priorities and activities;
  • Provide guidance in the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing;
  • Liaise with potential financing agencies and institutions;
  • Prepare Terms of Reference, identify and evaluate experts, and review reports to source technical expertise and support;
  • Identify and suggest to the PTA priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance.

Quality assurance and oversight of programme implementation (technical, coordination, application of guidance and tools):

  • Be accountable for the application of REDD+ guidance, tools, approaches and procedures;
  • Supervise and contribute to the implementation, monitoring , evaluation and adaptive management of approved programmes and projects in UNDP country offices;
  • Work with clients in the design and development of programmes/projects; establish indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
  • Maintain portfolio and corporate information systems;
  • Lead the preparation of semi/annual progress and final reports.

Build strategic initiatives and partnerships:

  • Contribute to a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region;
  • Establish contact and develop strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
  • Develop strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes;
  • Participate in retreats, regional strategic planning, pipeline management exercises, etc.

Responsible for the provision of technical and policy advisory services to national and regional teams and stakeholders engaged in REDD+ and related matters:

  • Contribute to policy development and provide guidance in their implementation. Maintain a trusted leadership role among the countries served;
  • Advise the Regional Practice/Team Leader and Senior RTA in the region of trends and issues with respect to REDD+;
  • Advise the Principal Technical Advisors of trends and issues in the countries served.

Knowledge generation and sharing:

  • Apply lessons from best practices to develop resource kits and other knowledge materials;
  • Improve the technical quality of projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
  • Facilitate the preparation of Community of Practice meetings;
  • Design and organize training courses to facilitate knowledge sharing.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental policy, environmental law, natural resource management, climate-change policies and/or other relevant field.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 7 years practical working experience in developing countries with environment issues, including climate change, forest carbon and REDD+;
  • Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management is essential;
  • Experience in the policy development processes associated with climate change and REDD+ is desirable;
  • An understanding of the REDD agenda in the context of UNFCCC negotiations, the challenges and opportunities is desirable;
  • Thorough understanding of the forest and biodiversity conservation issues\environment policies and governance systems in the countries of the region would be an asset;
  • Full computer literacy;
  • Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is in-depth knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices.

Language:

  • Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential;
  • Proficiency in Spanish is also required for posts covering Latin America and French is highly desirable for posts covering Africa.

Additional Considerations:

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET);
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered;
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified;
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply;
  • For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post;
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
DEADLINE: August 15, 2013
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