International Consultant – Political Affairs Officer

United Nations Secretary General’s Action Plan on Prevention of Violent Extremism recommends to integrate preventing violent extremism into relevant activities of United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political missions in accordance with their mandates, as well as into relevant activities of United Nations country teams in order to build the capacity of Member States.

In the Plan, the Secretary-General calls for a comprehensive approach encompassing not only essential security-based counter-terrorism measures but also systematic preventive steps to address the underlying conditions that drive individuals to radicalize and join violent extremist groups.

To ensure the most effective approach, the Plan does not define “Violent Extremism” instead it calls for a bottom up approach to identify the main root causes, push and pull factors and drivers for violent extremism and adjust the preventative measures accordingly.

In the complex society and history of Somalia, root causes for violent extremism can differ per region, therefore an effective C-PVE framework of the Somali Government, assisted by the international community should also differ and target and prioritize based on the need assessment.

Subsequently, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in its Comprehensive Approach to Security for Somalia has established a separate strand on the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism.

The PVE Strand identifies the following goals:

• Support the FGS and FMS operationalizing of the Somali National PCVE Strategy;
• Facilitate targeted PCVE interventions in cooperation with international partners, e.g., education curriculum development, religious schooling, youth, criminal justice and strategic communications.
• Engage with international and regional initiatives on PCVE;
• Deepen empirical evidence base on extremism in Somalia – motivations, drivers and enablers, through research;
• Strengthen the UN and international community’s role in facilitating inclusive dialogue and supporting intra-Somali reconciliation from a PVE perspective;
• Revisit ongoing rule of law, youth, livelihood and entrepreneurship, religious dialogue programmes from PVE perspective, making use of empirical evidence and roots cause analysis.

1.  Coordinating with the Somali counter parts, the international community and the PCVE Platform to map of PCVE relevant and specific work of stakeholders;
2. Serve as a, knowledge & expertise hub for Somali counter parts & international community by information sharing & research, facilitating joint projects, exploring PCVE opportunities adequate to Somalia based on international & national best practices;
3. Strengthening coordination and relationship partners, specifically in what successful communities are developing and achieving.

The Political Affairs Officer will be part of UNSOM’s PCVE strand and will report directly to the Team Lead - Senior Political Affairs Officer PCVE. During the first month of the assignment, the Officer will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the Officer and his/her supervisor. 

In particular, the Political Affairs Officer will contribute to the PCVE strand as per the work plan:

• Monitor, track and analyse operational, political and other relevant national, regional and international developments and activities related to Somalia, particularly with regard to PCVE;
• Provide political analysis and expert knowledge of the political and security situation, including with regard to relations between and among relevant stakeholders; identify matters for the PCVE strand; follow-up and respond as required;
• Attend relevant meetings and discussions, such as the Comprehensive Approach to Security (CAS) strand 4 PCVE meetings, the technical PCVE platform, assist in the preparation of those meetings and formulate minutes and draft materials as required;
• Contribute to incorporating PCVE aspects to reports, talking points, speeches and other written documents as requested;
• Support in establishing and implementation joint targeted PCVE programs in the integrated mission;
• Provide advice in planning and in developing alternative strategic options as required, including preparation of planning directives and guidance, establishing planning frameworks, and coordinating and facilitating inputs for the UN and specialized agencies;
• Gather, select and analyse information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press;
• Maintain contacts and liaise with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments, in particular in the area of the broader rule of law, security sector reform and criminal justice;
• Develop PCVE research and establish a resource base for ongoing research;
• Perform other duties or provide other assistance as requested by the Team lead of the PCVE unit.

Expected tangible and measurable output(s) (deliverables):

• Prepare the monthly Strand 4 PCVE political and technical level meetings;
• Develop a PCVE module for the training of Somali National Army and Police in cooperation with relevant counterparts in the mission;
• Facilitate of at least 3 targeted PCVE interventions, including planning and evaluation.
• Prepare an annual report on PCVE development in Somalia.

Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate of the Officers’ performance.

• Advanced degree (Master’s level or higher) in Law, Criminology, Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Program Management or other related area.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelors degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field of prevention of violent extremism, security sector reform, conflict prevention / resolution, diplomacy or criminal justice is required. 
• Experience in monitoring, coordination and facilitation of public policies is required.
• Experience in a peacekeeping operation, special political mission is required. 
• Experience in counter terrorism is desirable.
• Experience in political affairs at national and international levels in a multi-lateral context is desirable;
• Experience working on the Horn of Africa issues is an advantage;
• Experience in field operations, including civil society inclusion is strongly desired;
• Experience in developing capacity building projects or programs for governmental and non-governmental institutions is desirable;
• Experience within the UN system is an advantage;
• Skills in Coordination and Conflict resolution are essential
  
  

• Fluency in oral and written English is required; 
• Knowledge of other UN language or local language is an advantage.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

UNOPS East Africa Hub
The UNOPS East Africa Hub is located in Nairobi, Kenya and manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established operations center in South Sudan, an office in Somalia and a portfolio of multiple transactional, procurement and infrastructure projects in Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several Atlantic and Indian Ocean island states.