Job Description
UNDP Nairobi Programme Support/Liaison Officer

A. Background

UNDP Sudan Country Office is in a transitional phase, having terminated many projects that were initiated in its earlier cycles of assistance. It has prepared a forward looking Country Co-operation Framework (CCF) covering the period 2002-2006, which has been approved by the Executive Board in September 2002. The new programme focuses on peace planning and peace building and improving governance and environmental management. Major programme components include the ongoing Nuba Mountains NMPACT and IDP Return, Resettlement & Reintegration, Peace Building Networks, Conflict Transformation projects in a number of different areas of the country and pipeline proposals for dealing with secondary conflicts in the Darfur region. UNDP’s strategy in peace building focuses geographically on the transition zone between the North and the South, where the differing perspectives on key issues which will ultimately determine the success of political peace agreements intersect. These include Arab and African culture and language, north and south administrations, Islam, Christianity and traditional religions, oil and competition over other natural resources, mainly water and pasture. UNDP programming addresses these issues in a synergetic manner, promoting the application of research, lessons learned, best practices and networking to enhance the capacity of UNDP’s development partners and civil society to plan and implement sustainable solutions to conflict. Conflict transformation is a foundation for UNDP’s peace building team activities, upon which capacity building and area rehabilitation activities assist communities to own and manage sustainable solutions. UNDP also has programmes in the fields of local governance, community development and environmental management operational in areas of the country not prone to armed conflict. In order to effect the strategy which the CCF requires, UNDP must develop credible working relationships with key actors based in South Sudan. This will also be a key to fulfilling UNDP’s role in promoting and supporting sustainable recovery, rehabilitation and developmental programming in Sudan, in the planning, making and building of a just and sustainable peace for all Sudanese people.

B. Functions

The Nairobi Liaison/Programme Suport Officer will report to the DRR, Programme. S/he will work with the Peace Policy Advisor and the other members of the Peace Building Team, in cooperation with the Team Leader and under the overall direction of the Country Director. The area of responsibility will focus on developing relationships and enhancing coordination and collaboration with key actors involved in rehabilitation and developmental programming in non Government controlled Sudan. The Nairobi Liaison Officer will assist UNDP Sudan to strategically plan and implement rehabilitation and development programming as an integral part of the UN team. More specifically, the Nairobi Liaison Officer will have the following duties and responsibilities:

q Establish and maintain contacts with UN agencies, civil society, IGAD Secretariat, donors and authorities related to rehabilitation and developmental planning and programme programming;

q Represent UNDP in sectoral and thematic working groups, and regular UN Country Team meetings;

q Facilitate coordination and/or expansion of South Sudan components of IPF Planning for Peace, NMPACT, Capacity Building for Grassroots Peace Building, IDPs and other UNDP programmes;

q Facilitate cross conflict learning by supporting cross conflict information exchanges, project visits and appropriate research;

q Assist in assessments of areas and sectors for UNDP involvement in recovery, rehabilitation and development programming in south Sudan;

q Support planning processes for transitional post conflict recovery and development

q Assist in resource mobilization efforts from Nairobi based donors;

q Develop appropriate coordination to facilitate institutional and operational support (finance, logistics, human resources) with UNDP Kenya (Somalia?) for UNDP Sudan south Sudan operations, including missions from Khartoum; and

q Any other tasks to support the Sudan Country Director as requested.

Qualifications:

Ø advanced university degree, preferably in the social sciences;
Ø extensive experience in sustainable human development programmes;
Ø proven record of project planning and project development;
Ø at least five years of practical experience in programme management in developing countries;
Ø a solid understanding of the Sudan conflict and peace issues;
Ø a minimum of 5 years Sudan experience, with preference for both north and south exposure;
Ø preparedness to spend time in the field under difficult circumstances;
Ø familiarity with the UN system;
Ø excellent written and spoken English; and
Ø good command of basic computer skills.

Additional assets would include:
Ø some basic Arabic language skills.

Appointment level: Grade: ALD (equiv to P-5)

Duty Station: Nairobi with regular up country travel .
Term : One year; renewable based on performance
Application deadline: 27 February 2003