Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) - National Expert at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We invite applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position below:

Job Title: Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) - National Expert

Job ID: 25020   
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Grade: SB4
Bureau: Africa
Posting Type: Common System
Vacancy Type: Service Contract (SC)
Contract Duration: 1 year with no possibility of extension
Practice Area - Job Family: Peace Building - Conflict Resolution
   
Background

• Since 2009, the North-Eastern Nigeria has emerged as the epicenter of violent extremism in the form of Boko Haram and associated armed groups.  Security response from the Nigerian Government combined with coordinated military action through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), has been largely successful in degrading Boko Haram’s capacity to maintain control of a part of Nigeria’s territory.  This response has, however, not halted asymmetric attacks against soft, civilian targets, and has not addressed the complex factors that gave rise to the insurgency, and which have sustained it for so long.
• Violent Extremism (VE) manifests when a group of persons express their ideology through violence or advocate for violence to achieve their objectives. The growth of violent extremism in Nigeria - and the devastating impact of groups espousing violent ideologies – is not only setting in motion a dramatic reversal of development gains already made but threatening to stunt prospects of development for decades to come.
• Asides the ‘epicenter’ states of violent extremism in the north-eastern Nigeria, there are ‘emergent’ States in the other parts of the north which require urgent but robust preventative measures. There are credible research and mappings that indicate the existence of groups professing extremist values and thoughts in Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Plateau and Niger States. These groups, driven by young persons, and implicated in local terrorist activities and/or religious uprisings, are believed to be driven by various factors including but not limited to lack of access to socio-economic opportunities, marginalization and victimization, breakdown in family values and social cohesion, violations of human rights and rule of law, distrust in the state system and democratic norms, and the youth unemployment.
• The Government of Nigeria’s has developed a Countering & Preventing Violent Extremism (C/PVE) strategy which has as its key elements Operation Safe Corridor for the return and deradicalization of former Boko Haram associates, and the mobilization of civil society through the PAVE initiative.  However, a detailed C/PVE Action Plan still needs to be formulated, costed and implemented.  The Office of the National Security Adviser which has responsibility for coordination of Government, civil society and international efforts on PVE, has requested UNDP Nigeria to scale-up and broaden its current assistance on preventing and responding to violent extremism.
• In response to this request, UNDP Nigeria formulated the ‘Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism Project’. The project seeks to support the vision of the National Strategy in curtailing the spread of violent extremism in key ‘emergent states’ where terrorist groups are struggling to have a foothold through support to youth empowerment, strengthening local counter/alternative narratives, contributing to community violence prevention, and building trust between the community and security agencies. The project also contributes to enhancing ONSA’s capacity in research and evidence-based approach to PVE programming.
• This advert, therefore, seeks the services of a competent national, with expertise in the peace and security including prevention of violent extremism and deradicalization, to help coordinate this project.

Objective of the Assignment

• The overall objective of the assignment is to ensure effective, timely coordination and implementation of the PVE project in close collaboration with the national implementing partners and the Regional Service Centre, Addis. 
• These partners include the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Operation Safe Corridor, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Prisons Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the States of Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger and Plateau States, and the relevant Civil Societies.

Scope of the Assignment

• This assignment will support the implementation of the PVE project through technical support to and liaison with the national implementing partners to design relevant documentations, such as, concept notes, terms of references, etc., that will facilitate timely implementation of the project planned activities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security (GPS), the incumbent will act as the PVE National Officer for the overall management of the project and will be expected to perform the following key functions:

Facilitate the implementation of PVE Project Document and Annual Work Plans: 

• The incumbent will provide highest quality technical and programmatic support to the Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism project. 
• He/she will work in close collaboration with the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other national implementing partners to ensure prompt and effective execution of the project activities through quality technical advisory support, hands on assistance to build institutional capacities of the national partners to implement the planned activities, sound analysis of violent extremism environment in the targeted States to offer durable solutions, support national partner to design the right approach to mainstream PVE into the sectoral policies and programmes of the MDAs, scan the policy and political environments and their implications on the PVE and advise on potential UN/UNDP Country Office and national response. 

Support coordination of PVE project implementation:

• In close partnership and working relationship with the Office of National Security Adviser, national/state partners and UNDP, the incumbent shall ensure effective coordination and collaboration with national partners, the UN system and other development partners’ focal points in conducting joint analysis, plan, formulation and implementation of C/PVE initiatives. 
• He/she shall ensure that the national mechanisms (C/PVE partners’ forum and the Project Steering Committee) for C/PVE is functional and inclusive of all relevant partners – national, states, civil society and international development partners/donors including the UNDP Regional Service Centre, Addis Ababa and is gender sensitive.
• He/she shall facilitate regular meetings of the bodies and ensure proper documentation of their proceedings.
• He/she shall ensure capacity building of non-state actors and strengthen their collaboration with other national stakeholders in C/PVE thematic area, and provide programmatic guidance to national counterparts and ensure strong partnership with national stakeholders and development partners operating in the country.

Support PVE project resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting:

• Within the scope of this assignment and under the direct supervision of the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security (GPS) and overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), and in tandem with the CO resource mobilization strategy, the incumbent shall support the CO to prepare/complete project reporting documents including annual report, project monitoring reports and risks management for input into ATLAS; monitor and regularly brief the Team Lead, GPS and the DRR Programme on progress towards implementation of the annual work plan and the project budget delivery; and support the CO’s effort on resource mobilization and provide input into resource mobilization documents and partnership building relating to PVE project.

Support the development of C/PVE knowledge products:

• The incumbent shall assist UNDP in the development of knowledge products - tools, methodologies, situation briefs, updates or reports - to further position UNDP as a thought leader in the project thematic area; prepare early warning framework and approach to address push and/or pull factors that could accelerate violent extremism in the project sites and the country; assist UNDP Communication Unit to prepare succinct but powerful communication messaging for key partners, including donors, on UNDP strategies and approaches to C/PVE programming; and prepare and submit to UNDP regular project reports (progress and annual), as well as, regular monitoring and mission reports and make useful recommendations that can help to deepen the project impact/results.  

Perform any other assignments as may be assigned by the supervisors: 

• The incumbent is obligated to perform any other lawful assignments within the scope of this project or any other UNDP programmes as may be deemed fit always by the Team Lead. 
• Where such occurs, the incumbent shall render report(s) of such assignment(s) to the delegating authority through the Team Lead, GPS.

Required Skills and Experience

• The desired candidate for this assignment shall possess an advanced degree in Social Science, Arts, Sociology, Law and Humanities, Dispute Resolution/Peace Studies or other relevant fields.
• He/she must have, at least, 5 years’ development experience with national or international organizations, two of which must be in the area of C/PVE programming.  Cognate experience and evidence of competence in C/PVE work with national and/or international partners, such as, UN, government and CSOs is desired.
• The candidate must have sound technical report writing skill and proven ability to engage with multiple stakeholders to achieve desired results.  He/she must be fluent in written and spoken English.  Previous working experience with UN agencies is an asset.
• The assignment shall be for an initial period of 12 months starting from the 1st September 2019 – 31st August, 2020 and carries no expectation of continuity or renewal with remuneration designated at SB4 level of UNDP Service Contract Grade to be paid monthly.  
• The incumbent shall be entitled to payment of Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) and travel costs for any official travel approved by UNDP in line with its financial regulations and rules.

Competencies:
Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• Has good knowledge of UNDP programme and operational issues
• Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in crisis and post-crisis situations.

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and results for the clients and responds positively to feedback
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients and partners
• Demonstrates capacity to communicate effectively; resource management; capacity to plan and organize programmes effectively
• Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment

Application Closing Date
8th August, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Qualified female candidates are strongly advised to apply.
• 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.