Women Peace and Security Analyst

Background

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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.

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.

Against this backdrop and since 2020, UNDP supported the establishment of Women for Peace and Youth for Peace groups in the five liberated governorates of Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah Al- Din to bolster the role of women and youth in community peacebuilding and reconciliation. The members of these groups come from different walks of life, and act as linkages between women and youth within their communities as well as the Local Iraqi Government Focal Points in the Governor’s offices, including the Women Empowerment Department Unit focal points and others.

Going forward, UNDP in Iraq seeks to build on the momentum generated by the Women and Youth Peace Groups, to a more widespread “Women and Youth Agenda for Peace and Security” in Iraq and KRI, as per the principles established under the body of UN Security Council Resolutions starting with 1325 (2000). In keeping with the principles of UNSCR 1325, the Governments of Iraq (GOI) and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), led by the Women Empowerment Directorate of the General Secretariat of the Council of Minister (WED COMSEC) and the High Council for Women in KRI (High Council) have adopted the Second National Action Plan, 1325 (2021 – 24) on 30 December 2020. The comprehensive Second National Action Plan was developed with a wide framework to enhance the role of women in Iraq and KRI.

In view of the above UNDP Social Cohesion Programme is expanding its work and approach to Women & Youth Peace and Security initiatives and has identified a need for a suitable National Officer who can lead all initiatives to enhance the implementation of good practices and approaches emanating from the body of UNSCR Resolutions 1325 & others.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Support national initiative around women and youth agenda on peace and security:
• Engage in discussions around the national action plan on youth and women peace and security.
• Support the expansion of the Women and Youth Peace Groups initiative from five governorates to a Nation – wide movement on Women / Youth Peace and Security Agenda for Iraq and KRI in accordance with UNSCR 1325 and associated resolutions and the National Action Plans developed for Iraq.
• Attend coordination meetings with the Government and the UN system on women and youth peace and security agenda.
• Advise the Social Cohesion and the Country office on mainstreaming of youth and women issues in programming.
• Project development:
• Identify initiatives in other governorates and regions of Iraq and KRI, to enhance social, cultural, and economic cohesion with a focus on women and youth voices, opinions, and participation on issues, including, but not limited to: Climate Change: Economic Stability and Empowerment and enhancing community support to local governance mechanisms.
• Support the development of Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) and Women Peace and Security (WPS) related program and the inter- related aspects for implementation at community levels.
• Coordinate the development of innovative strategies for amplifying women and youth voices in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, leadership, governance and social cohesion for Iraq.
• Lead the implementation, monitoring and reporting of YPS and WPS projects for Social Cohesion Team and UNDP Iraq in support of the Social Cohesion M&E and Reporting Officer.
• Knowledge management.
• Conduct YPS and WPS context analysis and research to advance UNDP Iraq’s efforts UNSCR 1325 and associated resolutions for women and youth.
• Generate Information materials and briefs to influence National Policies, Frameworks and Strategies on Women and Youth participation & role in Peace and Security in Iraq.
• Coordinate information sharing, exchange and documentation of good practices, tools and approaches on women and youth, peace and security among civil society organizations, non-governmental organisations and other relevant stakeholders, international organisations (UN and others), and other stakeholders in Iraq.
• Contribute to online and offline campaigns and communications for UNDP Iraq on YPS and WPS initiatives in line with National Movements, Policies and Frameworks.
• Participate in different working groups and interagency working groups, WPS / YPS forums, events, conferences, and policy forums.
• Contribute to sub-regional, regional, and inter-agency initiatives related to WPS / YPS for Iraq.

Institutional Arrangement

The Women Peace and Security Analyst will work under the overall guidance of the Team Leader of the Social Cohesion Pillar and direct supervision of the Social Cohesion Specialist to achieve the deliverables.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

People Management: N/A

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Development

Knowledge Facilitation

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management

Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management

Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels

2030 Agenda: People

Gender

• Gender Mainstreaming

2030 Agenda

Peace

Rule of Law, Security & Human Rights

• Women’s Access to Justice

Business Management

Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management

Monitoring

• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Required Skills And Experience

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business Management / Administration, Humanities, Social Sciences, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) with 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Min. Years Of Relevant Work Experience

• Up to 2 years (with master’s degree) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in project support and assistance, community programmes, managing volunteer networks, community peace and security initiatives, peacebuilding and community conflict resolution programmes in relevant thematic areas; and establishing inter- relationships among international organizations and national governments is required.

Required Skills

• Experience in Project support, Conflict Resolution, Mediation and Peacebuilding Skills
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Previous work experience in women and youth initiative programming is a strong asset.
• Experience in gender and conflict-sensitive programming and implementation would be an advantage.
• Experience in peacebuilding and/or social cohesion and/or PVE programming would be an asset.
• Previous work experience with UN agencies, national or international development NGOs in Iraq is considered an advantage.
• Experience in working and engaging with senior Government officials at the National and Sub-National Levels is an advantage.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

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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

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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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