Org. Setting and Reporting

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is endowed with enormous human potential and exceptional natural resources. However, the country’s long history of political upheaval and conflict has led to one of the most protracted, severe, and neglected humanitarian crises in the world, with 6.7 million people internally displaced in 2024. The DRC is still ranked 179th of 191 countries (2021) in terms of human development, and despite recent improvements in economic performance, progress is insufficient to allow the needed structural transformation to achieve the SDGs. The conflict in eastern DRC has lasted for 30 years and is caused by complex and deep-seated factors (competition over natural resources and land, ethnic tensions, lack of state presence, regional dimension, etc.) The security situation in the DRC remains highly volatile and unpredictable, particularly in the eastern regions of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. The development situation in the DRC is equally complex and demands long-term investments and structural reforms to tackle the underlying factors promoting poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment. The DRC is placed 175th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI), attaining a score of 0.479 in 2021. The nation encounters various obstacles to its development, including low economic expansion, high inflation, fiscal deficits, debt distress, inadequate infrastructure, poor governance, environmental decline, and social exclusion. The population in the DRC comprises an expanding demographic, estimated at 102 million people in 2023, of which 46% are under the age of 15. The country encounters a high fertility rate of 5.7 children per woman while maintaining a low life expectancy of 60.4 years. The DRC has significant rates of malnutrition, maternal and child mortality, illiteracy, and gender inequality. The United Nations has been present in the DRC since 1960, after its independence and accession to the UN. The key aims of the UN in the DRC are to help stabilize and develop the nation, as well as offer aid to the most disadvantaged communities. The presence of the UN in the DRC encompasses a peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), along with 23 programs, funds, and specialized agencies collaborating with the Congolese administration. The interventions of the UN stem from Security Council resolutions that ensure the mandate of MONUSCO and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The transition of MONUSCO remains a significant priority for the DRC, which had agreed on a joint strategy for a gradual withdrawal of the mission and transfer of its responsibilities to national authorities, with support to UN agencies and other partners. In 2023, the Government of the DRC requested an accelerated withdrawal of MONUSCO from the provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu and Ituri. In a statement from the Security Council’s president, the Council requested MONUSCO and the Congolese authorities to develop a complete disengagement plan for the progressive, orderly and responsible disengagement of MONUSCO. The three-phased plan was jointly elaborated and submitted in November 2023. In its Resolution 2717 (2023), the Council took note of the disengagement plan, extending MONUSCO’s mandate for one year and requesting MONUSCO to initiate the gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal from South Kivu. To implement this request, the UN Support Plan for Transition in South Kivu was jointly developed by MONUSCO and the UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes who will lead on support to the Government, based on their relevant mandates, presence, capacity and resources. In line with the Government’s provincial roadmap, the Support Plan will be implemented for a one-year period up to 30 June 2025. Overall Objective: Under the overall guidance of the Head of RCO and the Senior Peace and Development Advisor (PDA), the Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) will provide strategic advice and support to the DSRSG/RC/HC and UN Country Team (UNCT) in the DRC, especially in provinces where MONUSCO does not have its operational presence, with a focus on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and development initiatives that are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The PDA will work in close collaboration with the UN provincial Teams towards fostering a coordinated approach amongst UN entities and partners to address the complex and interlinked challenges of peace and development in the affected areas.

Responsibilities

Strategic Advice and Analysis: Work in coordination with UN agencies at central and provincial level, as well as with MONUSCO’s Political Affairs Division, Joint Mission Analysis Center, and Joint Human Rights Office, to undertake analyses of political developments, socio-economic aspects, and conflict dynamics, whenever necessary. Provide timely and evidence-based strategic advice to the DSRSG/RC/HC and UNCT on political, social, and economic developments as well as conflict dynamics affecting peace and development in the DRC. This includes conducting in-depth analysis and offering recommendations on how to address root causes of conflict and leverage opportunities for peacebuilding and sustainable development, particularly in provinces where MONUSCO does not have its operational presence, including the provinces having the presence of Mission’s residual capacity. Good offices support: Assist good offices of the DSRSG/RC/HC and UNCT, as well as conduct good offices, in the area of responsibility. Provide political support the DSRSG/RC/HC and UNCT. Coordination and Partnership Building: Support RCO in its role to strengthen the coordination among UN agencies, government stakeholders, civil society, and international partners on peace and development initiatives and humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) Nexus. Programme and Policy Development: Support the development and implementation of UN programmes and policies that integrate peacebuilding and conflict-sensitive approaches. Ensure that these initiatives contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and national development priorities. Capacity Building: Identify capacity-building needs and support the development of national capacities for conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustainable development, at the level of the target provinces. This includes promoting the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in peace processes. Support actions in areas of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, HDP Nexus, WPS and YPS. Reporting and Advocacy: Prepare analytical reports and briefings for the RC, UNCT, and relevant UN provincial Teams. Advocate for the integration of peace and development perspectives in national and international fora.

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations Communication: Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Judgment/Decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in conflict resolution, peace studies, political science, international relations, development studies, or related fields.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in conflict analysis, strategy development, peacebuilding, development, or a related area are required Demonstrated experience in providing policy advice and developing strategic partnerships is required Proven ability to produce analytical reports is required Experience working in conflict-affected or post-conflict countries, preferably in the African Great Lakes region or similar contexts would be an asset is desirable Fluency in both written and spoken English and French is desirable Experience with the UN or other international development organizations is desirable. Knowledge of the UN system and its operational mandates in the fields of peacebuilding and development is desirable. Experience in program and project management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Desk review of PHPs with an informal interview

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.