ABOUT THE COMPANY:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

Iraq Iraq has been dealing with conflict, insecurity, and instability for decades, creating deep-seated grievances.

It has been exacerbated by socio-economic challenges, including the displacement of many vulnerable people who left their communities of origin for different places inside and outside of Iraq.

The emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which exploited tensions and took control of large swaths of territory, triggered a new wave of violence and displacement. Consequently, around 3.3 million individuals were displaced during the ISIS insurgence, and around 1.2 million of them remain displaced.

The rate of return varies considerably among the governorates throughout Iraq.

The displaced people and returnees, including families perceived to be affiliated with ISIL and Iraqis returning from northeast Syria, have suffered multiple adverse shocks, including losing most of their assets, wealth, and jobs or businesses.

IDPs and Returnees of children and women faced specific challenges that hindered their return and reintegration into their communities. Local conflicts, such as those over access to limited basic services, housing, land, and property, as well as insecurity, crime, and inter-tribal and interpersonal relations, further complicate the process and lead to social tensions among different population groups in some areas.

In line with the new Country Programme Document for UNDP req (CPD 2020-2024), which aims to support the Government of Iraq’s vision for a sustainable peaceful Iraq, UNDP is implementing a program on social cohesion which working in four main areas that include:

1. Strengthening the national frameworks for peace and social cohesion,
2. Strengthening inter-linking community Infrastructures for social cohesion at multilevel.
3. Supporting and strengthening capacities and resources of academia and research institutions and actors lo lead social cohesion and
4. Working with media institution and media professionals to improved advocacy and public awareness.

The social cohesion and PVE programme is supporting solution pathways based on area-based consultative approaches and analytical tools such as local conflict and risk assessments, building an the lessons and knowledge from the current social cohesion interventions.

In addition, UNDP is supporting the Gol to develop and implement a social cohesion and PVE agenda that promotes conflict resolution mechanisms, dialogue and trust building measures, as well as enable peaceful coexistence and prevent future radicalization and recruitment to violent extremist groups.

In this regard, UNDP is looking for a Social Cohesion Specialist to support work with local communities and Government institutions focusing on peace education, prevention of violence extremism and promoting social cohesion.

The Social Cohesion Specialist will perform his/her duties under the direct supervision of the Social Cohesion Specialist.  The incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities.

1. Identification and development of reintegration support components by carrying out the following: 

• Monitor and assess the country’s political, social, and economic situation to stay abreast of challenges and updates related to social cohesion and Peace Education.
• Provide technical inputs to the design and development of concept notes and project documents on reintegration and community stability.
• Support synergies of the social cohesion and peace education components with other UNDP programmes, such as Environment, Reintegration, Security Sector Reform, etc.
• Provide support and technical advice to implementation partners/service providers to ensure compliance of activities with the work plans, budget, and expected results.
• Contribute to the development of detailed annual work plans for the Social Cohesion and Peace Education Components, including budget and assurance plans in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations.
• Develop and follow up on internal monitoring and quality assurance plans.
• Facilitate and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, including national and local authorities, civil society, UN agencies, like-minded organizations, international organizations, and the private sector.
• Ensure the implementation of the activities related to support of formal and informal education institutions, local peace structures and relevant government institutions in Iraq to promote peace and social cohesion and prevent violence extremism.
• Lead in planning and implementation of activities that support national and subnational government institutions enhance peace and social cohesion knowledge and skills.
• Coordinate the capacities of Iraqi institutions to analyze, monitor and measure peace and social cohesion.
• Ensure the institutionalization of social cohesion competency-building within Iraqi public and civil service training institutions.
• Lead the engagement with the universities, academic institutions to increase their interest in and applied research hub, on peace, conflict sensitivity and social cohesion.
• Support capacity building of local CSOs, NGOs and community-based institutions to deliver social cohesion and peace education at the local level.
• Contribute to the design and formulation of the Country office Programme within the area or responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions.

Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets, and milestones.

2.

Effective and efficient day-to-day management of the Social Cohesion and Peace Education Component in line with the results-based-management approach by carrying out the following:

• Oversee day-to-day implementation and monitoring of social cohesion and peace education interventions (e.g.  Community education, dialogue, town hall meetings, community mobilization, peace education programs. Capacity building of national partners, formation of local peace structures and aiming of the structures) to ensure the achievement of expected results and targets within the timeline and available budgets.
• Ensures coordination and implementation or Programme/project activities in the field of peace education by working closely with country office program and project colleagues.
• Ensure timely and quality progress and financial reporting by partners in line with agreed templates and schedules; review the periodic technical and financial progress reports; and provide feedback to UNDP and partners.
• Coordinate procurement processes to sub-contract responsible parties and service providers to implement the reintegration activities, including drafting Terms of Reference, Request for Proposals, capacity assessment of parties, evaluation of bids, recruitment and organization of mission programmes for international and local experts.
• Keeps regular track of budget, expenditures, and balances to identify any financial issues and address them in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with the M&E team to gather, collate, and analyze data on project beneficiaries and impact to ensure achievement of expected results.
• Coordinate with the Gender Specialist to identify entry points to strengthen gender mainstreaming and inclusion in reintegration activities in the target locations.
• Support preparation of e result-oriented progress reports, communication and information materials, and publications on the Component activities in line with UNDP and donor requirements.
• Conduct frequent field missions to monitor the implementation of reintegration activities and provide inputs/assist with writing timely assessment and field monitoring reports.

3.

Support the Coordination Platforms on National Dialogue and Social Cohesion to ensure timely and effective coordination and regular information sharing by carrying out the following:

• Support Working Group Co-Leads in coordinating and reporting on progress in implementing the UN and Government priorities in the area of Social Cohesion.
• Maintain a multi-stakeholder engagement to continuously bring relevant actors together where information and knowledge are shared.
• Participate in inter-agency programming processes, including joint needs assessments.
• Participate in UN-wide task forces and working groups and represent UNDP when appropriate, preparing presentations, writing of the meeting Minutes and possible analysis and advocacy papers destined for the Government authorities and other stakeholders.
• Identifies and provides recommendations to solutions to mitigate risks and overcome bottlenecks identified in project implementation.
• Monitor quality and technical capacities of consultants and facilitators delivering social cohesion and peace related education and training.

4.

Supports the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing the following results:

• Identify partnerships with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and think tanks, UN Agencies, bi-lateral and multilateral donors, private sector for local conflict analysis and political analysis to inform programing of peace education.
• Regular liaison with stakeholders, donors, partners, and other relevant program/project stakeholders.
• Manage field coordinators and ensure timely implementation, results-orientation, and accountability for project results.
• Review and finalize of letters of agreement/Micro capital grants or responsible partner agreements for the peace and social cohesion initiatives in preparation for clearance.
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation or substantive briefs on areas or cooperation, identification or opportunities for Initiation of new project, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
• Participate in inter-agency programming processes, including joint needs assessments.

5.

Knowledge Management and Communication:

• Contribute to developing knowledge management products on social cohesion tolerance and diversities issues, identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt.
• Contribute to development of policies and capacities to address the identified needs and priorities in collaboration with the Government and other partners.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Promote learning and development by providing opportunities for training and capacity guiding to enhance the competencies/productivity of staff members.
• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices in community reconciliation and social cohesion operations to maximize efficiency and achieve concrete and sustainable results.
• Support the production of communication materials on reintegration work, including the database of high-quality pictures, videos, human stories, and success stories/lessons learned.
• Ensure systematic documentation and filing.

6.

Other Tasks:

• Performs any other tasks as required with regard to UNDP Iraq’s Reintegration work and as requested by the senior management.

Institutional Arrangement

The Social Cohesion Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the to the Social Cohesion Specialist and the Programme Manager to achieve the aforementioned deliverables.

She/he will work closely with the UNDP Iraq’s Operations and Finance units, the Programme Management and Support Unit (PMSU), and the Procurement Unit/Service Center.

He/she is also expected to ensure mainstreaming of gender equality and inclusion of women and people with disabilities throughout all projects.