Announced at the Sirte talks in October 2007, the Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund (DCPSF) is a pooled funding initiative aimed at promoting peace, stability, security, justice and social equity across diverse communities in Darfur. DCPSF promotes peace at the grassroots level by supporting communities to resolve conflicts and address tensions triggered by competition over natural resources and economic opportunities. DCPSF partners with local and international NGOs, civil society, UN agencies and other peacebuilding institutions to implement DCPSF activities. Program activities are based on conflict analysis and a contextual understanding of what drives conflict in Darfur. Through this approach DCPSF reaches across communities (Arab/non-Arab, nomadic, farming, IDP, and rural/urban) to strengthen community dispute resolution and processes of reconciliation.

DCPSF is a multi-partner trust fund, which is overseen by a Steering Committee (SC), and supported by a Technical Secretariat (TS). The DCPSF Technical Secretariat facilitates the workings of the DCPSF, shapes policy and programming approaches, manages the process to identify projects to be funded, provides technical assistance to partners, acts as a repository for knowledge and best practices in the area of community peacebuilding, monitors and reports on DCPSF-funded projects, and facilitates linkages between DCPSF and other actors working in Darfur.

Scope of the DCPSF

DCPSF supports a wide range of innovative, community-oriented approaches to peace building which include the following:

• Activities and processes that improve community conflict resolution. Working with and through traditional authorities, and amplifying the voices of women and young people, DCPSF facilitates processes that allow communities affected by conflict to play a prominent role in its resolution. Programming includes the formation of Community Based Reconciliation Mechanisms (CBRMs),  conflict mediation training, community workshops and/or arbitration forums, capacity building and community problem solving;
• Activities and processes that provide opportunities for economic interactions between diverse groups, including market rehabilitation and enterprise development.  DCSPF encourages equal livelihoods opportunities as a way to defuse inequity as a source of tension and driver of conflict; 
• Activities and processes that encourage harmonious management of shared natural resources.  Activities include demarcation of livestock routes, sustainable management of water points and resources, and early warning systems to improve communication.
• Activities and processes that incentivize peace through improved service delivery. Responding to needs within the health, education, livestock services, water etc. sector can act as entry points to dialogue and consultation that, in turn, leads to a greater sense of trust and confidence amongst communities; 
• Activities and processes that strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations/communities as facilitators of peace building processes. Training and improved organization of networks/fora will enhance the credibility/legitimacy of CSOs in the eyes of affected communities.

The Technical Secretariat of the Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund has 9 staff based in 4 locations – Khartoum, El Fasher, Nyala, and El Geneina.  The Program Specialist for Gender and Peacebuilding reports to the Head of DCPSF Technical Secretariat, who is based in Khartoum.   He/she will work closely with the Peacebuilding Specialist, Communications Analyst, and DCPSF M&E staff.

The overall objective of the work of the Programme Specialist – Gender and Peacebuilding is to contribute to the increased empowerment of women in Darfur to influence the peaceful resolution of conflict in their communities and to ensure gender mainstreaming in DPCSF projects and structure.  This will be done through strengthening the capacity and leadership of DCPSF partners, staff, and stakeholders to undertake and promote gender-sensitive peacebuilding approaches.

The Gender and Peacebuilding Specialist will have the following responsibilities:

Provides strategic policy and programmatic advice and coordination on gender-responsive peacebuilding for the Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund (DCPSF), focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provide strategic advice and technical guidance to the DCPSF Technical Secretariat (TS) and partners through the integration of the women’s empowerment and gender equality dimension in DCPSF;
• Guide the overall gender mainstreaming process and implementation of the DCPSF Gender Strategy, setting priorities and timelines and monitoring progress;
• Strengthen the integration of women's perspectives and gender analysis into DCPSF policies, strategies and frameworks;
• Identify key entry points for incorporating gender perspectives in the planning, implementation and performance phases of each activity;
• Provide technical expertise to ensure that all proposal submissions to DCPSF are gender responsive, in particular those targeting the DCPSF priority areas: community based reconciliation mechanisms (CBRM), targeted livelihoods, and natural resources management;
• Serve in an advisory role to the DCPSF TS and partners on the importance of women's role in peacebuilding, highlighting practical recommendations for integrating women into all areas of DCPSF activities;
• Advocate for and provide technical guidance on the integration of women's perspectives and gender analysis into DCPSF Conflict Analysis in Darfur;
• Monitor and evaluate gender outcomes/outputs of peacebuilding efforts, analyze findings and share with strategic stakeholders;
• Build capacities of DCSPF TS and partners on gender-responsive peacebuilding;
• Liaise with key gender actors to strengthen coordination and linkages between DCPSF and broader peacebuilding initiatives;

Provide technical expertise on the development of gender-responsive peacebuilding programmes, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provide technical assistance to DCPSF partners on developing, measuring, analyzing and monitoring gender sensitive indicators and benchmarks,
• Ensure that gender analysis is included in programme plans and budget.  Provide technical support to DCPSF TS and implementing partners on integration of gender analysis with conflict analyses.
• Build partnerships and strengthen capacities of DCPSF partners and counterparts:
• Conduct a rapid appraisal of gender mainstreaming capacity of field staff of IPs and identify entry points for engagement to improve capacity;
• Technically assist DCPSF implementing partners to facilitate women’s participation in peacebuilding processes in ways that are sensitive to local political, social, and cultural contexts;
• Undertake frequent field missions and meetings with DCPSF implementing partners.

 

Facilitates knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on the following results:

• Identification and formulation of lessons learned and recommendations on gender responsive peacebuilding to be integrated in the broader DCPSF programme;
• Develops gender-based knowledge products on for sensitizing staff and partners and contributing to continuous improvement;
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including Darfur Peacebuilding Working Groups;
• Organization and facilitation of training modules on gender responsive peacebuilding and gender mainstreaming for DCPSF stakeholders.

Impact of Results

The post has impact on the mainstreaming of gender responsive peacebuilding amongst DCPSF partners and structures as well as on the effective coordination and implementation of the DCPSF Gender Strategy. This position is critical to ensure building of the capacities of DCPSF staff, and national and international partners to mainstream gender-responsive peacebuilding.

Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s 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.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Knowledge of issues related to gender and peacebuilding, including approaches, techniques and best practices;
• Knowledge and expertise in gender mainstreaming practices;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships with diverse stakeholders;
• Knowledge and expertise in traditional conflict resolution mechanisms in Sudan; Darfur-specific experience highly desired;
• Technical skills in gender-sensitive community facilitation skills and ability to transfer skills to partners and colleagues;
• Knowledge and expertise in designing gender-sensitive indicators and analyzing results.
• Self-starter; ability to work independently.

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively,  mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Education:

• An advanced University degree (Masters level) in social sciences, political science, international affairs, local development, international development studies, gender/women’s studies, peace studies; human rights or a related technical field.

Work Experience:

•  At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the related areas.
•  Previous experience working in the area of peacebuilding and gender.
• Experience in working with diverse stakeholders, including rural communities, civil society organizations, INGOs, government ministries and donors.
• Prior work experience in Darfur is an advantage.

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic required.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Women Candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Notice
UNDP, as a matter of practice, does not charge any application, processing fee at any stage of the recruitment.