Field Team Coordinator at UNDP

Background
Since 2009, nearly 15 million people in Nigeria´s North-East have been affected by the conflict with Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), a Non-State Armed Group (NSAG), labelled by the media and commonly referred to as “Boko Haram”, and the resulting military operations in North-East Nigeria. The conflict became particularly intense in 2013, leading to the loss of an estimated 30,000 lives and the displacement of over 1.8 million people. Current numbers of active members within the NSAGs are not known but estimates range from 5,000 to 20,000. The number of detainees under military control is estimated at around 7,000 with the number expected to rise as counter insurgency efforts continue and avenues for surrender become more viable. The past years have brought significant progress on the military front. NSAGs no longer control vast swathes of territory and have taken to asymmetric warfare to deal with the evolving military campaign. Despite these successes, the number and sophistication of insurgency attacks have been on the rise since early December 2018.
 
The military campaign therefore continues to be essential in the foreseeable future.  In addition, those associated with NSAGs must see a way out of the groups, be given opportunities for viable alternatives to violent extremism and seek change through peaceful means. In parallel, the process of reconciliation between low-risk former NSAG associates including children and women who have participated in Government-led rehabilitation programmes and the many conflict-affected communities and victims of the groups must start.
 From experience to date in the North-East, it is clear that community-based reconciliation and transitional justice processes are important but not sufficient for achieving peace. Besides establishing a minimum level of safety and security in the community, action is required to strengthen individual livelihoods, community social and productive infrastructure and public services before the actual process of reintegration of former NSAG associates can take place. Community consultations across the Northeast of Nigeria conducted by the project partners in 2017 and 2018 confirm the need for a comprehensive approach that lays the foundations for successful reintegration through a community-driven and state-owned “Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR)” process. The Government of Nigeria also recognizes that reintegration must include non-state security providers, such as the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and other vigilante groups.

For reintegration to be successful it needs to go hand-in-hand with community-level reconciliation to promote an increased understanding for and acceptance of low-risk former associates and victims. Though community engagement is a gradual trust-building process, done in the right way, however, it can support the creation of a common vision for the future and lay foundations for reconciliation and reintegration interventions.

The UNDP/UNICEF/IOM “Support for Reconciliation and Reintegration of Former Armed Non-State combatants and Boko Haram Associates (S2R) project is funded by EU and aims to achieve the following objectives:

• To reduced rejection and stigmatization of Former Associates;
• To increase community healing and reconciliation and decrease sense of injustice
• To increase sustainable alternatives to violence and social cohesion;
• To disarm and demobilize non-state security providers;
• To strengthen trust between citizens and Government.

At present, UNDP wants to recruit a  Field Team Coordinator to coordinate the UNDP-specific S2R project. The  Field Team Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of the  implementation the UNDP-specific S2R component of the project. Action. The Field Team Coordinator  will work closely with the State Government, UN agencies, and CSOs operating in the project areas.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Reconciliation and Social Cohesion Specialist and in close collaboration with the  S2R Project staff in the CO and Sub-Office, the Field Team Coordinator perform the following tasks:

• Analysing and interpreting the political, social and economic environment relevant to UNDP  activities, and identifying opportunities for UNDP assistance and intervention in NE Nigeria;
• Establish smooth coordination an collaboration with involved organizations (IOM and UNICEF);
• Establishing collaborative relationships and ensuring active participation of all relevant stakeholders (implementing partners, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies and CSOs) to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of project input;
• Assisting in implementing knowledge management strategies and analyzing ongoing experience to capture lessons learned and best practices, sharing these with management for future planning;
• Assisting in resource mobilization efforts of the CO, by establishing and maintaining a network of donor and public information contacts;
• Assisting with organising and conducting of donor meetings and public information events, including preparing relevant background material for these events.
• Support capacity building activities of the project;
• Provide technical and administrative guidance and support to all project team members;
• Facilitate and organize the meetings and events regarding project activities;
• Develop a proper archiving system for the project-related reporting and correspondence
• Prepare monthly, six-monthly and annual “Project Progress Reports” by collating required information and inputs from the each project team member, following up on comments of the involved field team and deliver them to IOM S2R project manager on time;
• Prepare other ad hoc reports and presentations asked by the project manager  and UNDP with a high quality;
• Monitor the project’s assumptions constantly and assess the risks and propose revisions in the action plan, when needed;
• Monitor the bottlenecks, problems, unexpected deviations and possible delays constantly and propose revisions in the action plan if necessary;
• Coordinate project resources (workforce, time and other inputs) as planned and disbursed efficiently and effectively as per the approved time plans and resource schedules, through maintaining day-to-day relations with the project team to realize the activities:
• Ensure proper utilization of the project budget for the project activities and propose revision in the project budget and action plan if necessary;
• Mobilize the necessary work force to ensure that all project results are achieved at high quality;

Impact of Results:

• The key results have an impact on the success of the S2R project to promote coordinated and integrated S2R intervention at community level.

Competencies
Corporate Competenciess:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP, and partner organizations
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of project cycle management;
• Demonstrates strong management and coordination skills;
• Promotes team work, contributes towards building team consensus;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Good teamwork and leadership skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets;
• Good knowledge of the Results Management.

Required Skills and Experience
Education and Certificate:

• Master Degree in Social/Political Science, International Development, Conflict-resolution, and Peace-building or related field.

 Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience. More than 3 years of international experience is an asset;
• Solid professional experience in management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams;
• Professional and practical experience and technical ability in designing, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels (local governance, UN agencies, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community based rganizations);
• Experience in post conflict environment is a strong advantage. Knowledge of socio-economic, culture, and community development issues in the the North-East Nigeira and Lake Chad Basin region is an asset.
• Proven experience in result-based reporting, public relations/communication. Prior experience on monitoring and evaluation is an asset. 
• Proficiency in usage of computers, office software packages and advance project management software as well as in handling of web-based management system.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• The ability to communicate effectively in Kanuri, Hausa, or any other local language spoken in the NE region is an asset.

Important applicant information
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.

Workforce Diversity

• UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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