Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The eastern region of the DRC continues to face a complex security and humanitarian challenges, despite the efforts made by the UN peacekeeping mission since 1999, the peace agreements signed and the support of partners in the areas of stabilization and rehabilitation of conflict and post-conflict areas, transitional justice, the rule of law, and the strengthening of the authority of the State.
According to the conclusions of the various studies conducted on the dynamics of conflicts in the DRC, the persistence of these conflicts is the result of four conflict dynamics identified in 2013, which are generally still valid to this day for the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, namely: 1) security dilemmas; 2) mobilization around land and identity; 3) the exploitation of natural resources and; 4) regional dynamics. These four conflict dynamics are inter-correlated and create different typologies of conflict. These conflicts, with their subsequent humanitarian crises, hide major harmful political, economic and social challenges that are fueling the destruction of livelihoods. In 2023 alone, more than 2 million additional people have been displaced in the DRC, bringing the total to more than 6.3 million internally displaced people.
As part of his efforts to pacify the national territory, the President of the DRC decided by Presidential Order No. 21/038 of July 4, 2021 to bring together the government instruments dealing with DDR and stabilization in a single program attached to the Presidency and entitled “Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program” (DDRCS Program) to contribute to peacebuilding, national reconciliation, socio-economic reconstruction and stability of the DRC. In March 2022, the P-DDRCS adopted its National Strategy. In alignment to this strategy and with UNDP support, it developed 5 Provincial Operational Plans, adapted to the specific needs and context of each province (North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Tanganyika and Maniema).
Through its 2025-2029 CPD, UNDP-DRC is strengthening and pursuing its commitment to support the Government and communities of the DRC to sustainably address conflicts and reduce violence. This commitment is at the heart of priority 2 “Effective governance, rule of law and protection of populations for inclusive development and sustainable peace in the DRC”. Through a portfolio approach, UNDP aims to strengthen the resilience and stabilization of conflict-affected areas by addressing the root causes of conflict. To this end, UNDP is working closely with the P-DDRCS, specific sectoral ministries, the private sector and the National Institute for Vocational Preparation (INPP) to promote community resilience and the psychosocial and economic reintegration of ex-combatants. Transitional justice aspects, applied to the DDR process, are addressed in collaboration with the UNJHRO and in support of the Ministry of Justice and the P-DDRCS.
As an operationalization instrument, UNDP is developing a structuring program that details the substance of its support for the Congolese Government’s efforts for peacebuilding and stabilization (transition of MONUSCO, development of the PDDRCS) which is aligned with the CPD (2020-2024) and the prospects of the new 2025-2029 framework in preparation. This program aims to contribute to the establishment of a solid foundation for the consolidation of peace and stability in the DRC through the strengthening of the resilience of the State and communities to conflict.
To support the operationalization and management of its Stabilization and Resilience Programme, UNDP DRC is recruiting (m/f): Stabilization Programme Specialist based in Goma.
Position Purpose
Under the overall supervision of the Stabilization and Resilience Team Leader and in collaboration with local presences, as well as P-DDRCS, the Stabilization and Resilience Program Specialist coordinates the implementation of the “Conflict Prevention and Transformation for Stabilization” Programme. He/she is the UNDP focal point for the design and implementation of the United Nations Joint Programme for Support to the P-DDRCS in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He/she collaborates closely with project managers and technical experts in the various areas of stabilization for the achievement of results, advises on programmatic approaches, participates in the commitment to the various stakeholders and ensures the quality of the products and compliance with the rules, procedures and deadlines, particularly in terms of planning, reporting, and risk management. He/she ensures technical lead on the political Engagement and Advocacy, and responsible for the conflict prevention and transformation component of the Stabilization and Resilience pillar.
In particular, s/he will ensure:
- The definition and regular updating of priority objectives, orientations and strategies for conflict stabilization and transformation.
- The development and coordination of the effective implementation of the political engagement and advocacy strategy.
- Strengthening the national capacities of the PDDRCS, other government entities, local communities and other actors involved in the implementation of the national stabilization strategy.
- The design and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy with donors to support the interventions and activities of the structuring program.
- Technical and administrative supervision of the team members of the conflict prevention and transformation component of the stabilization and resilience pillar.
- UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across
- interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration
Duties and Responsibilities
Define and regularly update priority objectives, orientations and strategies for conflict stabilization and transformation:
- In synergy and in perfect alignment with existing strategies and policies and ongoing stabilization dynamics, ensure the definition and continuous updating of priority stabilization objectives in each province and national (thematic) stabilization objectives.
- Support the ownership of the various stabilization priority objectives by the competent authorities and other relevant stakeholders, at the provincial, national and international levels.
- Ensure quality assurance and effective monitoring of the implementation of the UNDP Structuring Programme in Support of Conflict Prevention and Transformation for Stabilization in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Ensure the development of a political engagement and advocacy strategy, coordinate and effectively implement the strategy:
- Based on the priority objectives of stabilization and resilience, identify/validate themes for political engagement, advocacy and institution-building for conflict transformation.
- Coordinate the process of developing thematic action plans for political engagement and advocacy, providing technical and methodological support to the designated thematic focal points, through the following tasks:
- Identification and analysis of actors, including political authorities and “string-pullers”, according to their influence and interest in a given issue.
- Define realistic results for actor-driven engagement and advocacy.
- Animation of ad hoc working groups for the selected themes.
- Deepen the themes (stakeholder analysis, policy analysis, policy environment, design of political engagement/advocacy activities).
- Develop and validate advocacy action plans by key theme.
- Advocacy with Congolese actors and institutions, directly or indirectly through the good offices of MONUSCO, partner embassies, regional special envoys, etc. bilateral meetings; campaigns for the public, commitment of the “string pullers”; development, adoption and monitoring of commitments.
- Develop and update thematic notes.
- Advice and contributions to reform processes at different levels, thematic studies, policy briefs, factsheets; and advice to implementing partners and donors.
- Build coalitions; share information and messages with donors and UN agencies.
- Feedback to stakeholders as part of the coordination mechanisms.
- Liaison with relevant internal and external partners.
- Perform quality assurance of the various political engagement action plans and consolidate them into a coherent, precise and realistic global advocacy strategy.
- Support local presences in drafting, updating and monitoring political engagement activities for the stabilization and resilience pillar.
- Coordinate the implementation of political commitment by the different actors in line with the action plans developed, in close collaboration with the designated focal points (thematic experts or regional offices).
- Ensure that the strategy and the various plans are at specific operational stages and that potential bottlenecks are addressed proactively and without delay.
- Support and training of focal points for each theme in advocacy and lobbying techniques.
- Supervise the designated focal points for the implementation of the advocacy strategy and participate directly using the following tools:
- Regular monitoring and evaluation of political commitments, in collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning team.
- Ensure coherence between programmatic activities, coordination and political commitment.
- Advise partners on project development and positioning of strategies in projects in terms of political commitment.
Strengthen the capacities of the PDDRCS, other government entities, local communities and other actors involved in the implementation of the national stabilization strategy:
- Work in tandem with the national experts designated at the level of each of the state partners as the national focal point for the various planned activities.
- Establish a capacity building and transfer plan to relevant entities at the national level for the entire political engagement function.
- Provide training and retraining of the P-DDRCS and other relevant national institutions in political engagement and advocacy techniques for the transformation of conflict dynamics.
- Advise the P-DDRCS program and other relevant government entities at different levels on political engagement and political engagement and advocacy strategies for the transformation of conflict dynamics.
- Ensure provision of top quality advisory servicesand facilitation of knowledge building and management.
- Organize and deliver training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters
Supervise technical and administrative aspects the team members of the conflict prevention and transformation component of the stabilization and resilience pillar:
- Ensure the supervision of the experts and project managers of the conflict prevention and transformation component of the stabilization and resilience pillar, including the national expert in conflict analysis, political engagement, local governance, land governance and the reintegration and recovery specialist in stabilization.
- Train and retrain colleagues in the Conflict Transformation Cell and other international advocacy entities.
- Develop a work plan for the political engagement function by following the tools and mechanisms in place within the stabilization and resilience pillar.
- Ensure effective management of projects and budgets for the lines related to the political commitment component in different projects.
- Under the guidance of the Pilar Team Leader, ensures proper implementation of portfolio of political engagement component based on continuous monitoring and analysis of the most critical recovery and development needs, response capacities, access situation and implementation progress of the portfolio.
- Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning in areas of political engagement, reintegration and recovery in stabilization and conflict transformation area
Design and implement the strategy for mobilizing resources from donors to support the interventions and activities of the structuring program.
- Support the Stabilization and Resilience Team Leader in building strategic partnerships and mobilizing additional resources to implement the advocacy strategy and political engagement.
- In accordance with the rules and regulations, ensure the proper implementation of the Contribution to the various reporting products of the stabilization and resilience pillar.
- Determine and propose solutions for the management of the resource deficit.
- Ensures identification and promotion of joint programming and planning opportunities.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: He/She supervises the conflict transformation team and ensures a dynamic performance of all teams and actors involved in the implementation of the activities of the stabilization and resilience pillar
Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
- Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization´s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment
Direction and strategy -Effective Decision making: Ability to make timely and effective decisions in accordance with authority, area of expertise and resources.
Business Management-Partnership Management: Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with broad networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others, in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Business Management-Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize actions to proactively mitigate and manage risks
Business leadership and strategy -Strategic thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP objectives, based on systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking vision to reality on the ground and creating tangible solutions.
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; Have foresight to model what future developments and possible paths will look like for UNDP
2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive growth: Local Economic Development
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, development or a relevant related field is required. OR
- A first level university degree will also be considered with an additional two years of relevant work experience.
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the area of stabilization , conflict or post conflict contexts, special development situations or related area.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
- Proven experience in conducting and supporting advocacy and political engagement at local, national or regional levels is desired
- Experience in mediating or facilitating political or institutional processes for conflict resolution/transformation is desired.
- Experience in collaborating with national partners at various levels to formulate, implement or manage a conflict transformation or stabilization programme is desired.
- Experience in strategic engagement with communities, civil society, and donors is desired
- Proven experience in resource mobilization is desired
- Experience/expertise in program or project management is desired
- Experience in working with multidisciplinary and/or multicultural teams is required
Languages:
- Proficiency in oral and written French language is required
- Proficiency in oral and written English language is desired
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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