Mission and objectives
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the lead agency on international development of the United Nations. UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.
UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.
Context
Project Title: Support to strengthen capacities for promoting efficiency in the implementation of the Accra Initiative (AI) in West Africa and the Sahel. The security situation in the Sahel continues to deteriorate leading to a high civilian casualty rate, death, displacement and a burgeoning humanitarian crises. The 2023 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) indicates that the Sahel region is now the epicenter of global terrorism, constituting nearly half (43%) of the global death toll from terror related attacks. Under the Accra Initiative arrangement, each state is working to secure the limits of their jurisdictions from terror attacks and insulate their territories from insurgencies and other threats to state and human insecurity. However, the implementation of the AI privileges an intelligence-led arrangement with limited information regarding its structure, decision-making processes, inter-agency collaborative arrangements and the pathways for wider civilian and community involvement in its operations. The fluid security vulnerabilities require the states south of Mali, including the AI countries, are supported to respond robustly to further unforeseen challenges. In this vein, this project through research, dialogue, and capacity building seeks to support the efficient implementation of the AI in the seven (7) signatory states of Ghana, Benin, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger with Nigeria, the observer state. The project will conduct one research, develop training packages, organize one multi-national policy dialogue and two capacity building interventions. In total, the project will engage 85 personnel from both state and non-state actors who will receive new skills and knowledge and build community resilience to reduce threats to peace and security.
This project is in partnership with Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPTC) with funding from the Government of Japan. The Centre produces research knowledge products including published works and accredited graduate programmes and many of the researchers provide technical expert contributions to the works of multilateral agencies such the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN). Other end-users of the Centre’s knowledge products include governments and international governmental and non-governmental organisations. Its operational relationships with strategic stakeholders such as the UNDP and Japan, has been consistent since 2008, informing the design and implementation of a number of regional peace and security projects and published research outputs. The collaboration of KAIPTC, UNDP and Japan, has led already to 16 Japanese resource persons including two military officers, two UN Volunteers and a range of senior officials at the UN and also from the International Development Cooperation Office at the Office of the Japanese Prime Minister, travelling to Accra (and lately, Cotonou, Benin), to support delivery of activities of the past projects.
The project focuses on violent extremism, radicalization, terrorism and small arms and light weapons control targeting member states of the Accra Initiative (AI) – namely, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment unfolds within the framework of the above-mentioned project and the UNDP Japan partnership, therefore specific criteria apply; candidates must be Japanese Citizens.
Task description
Under the joint supervision of the project manager at KAIPTC and the UNDP Peace and Governance Analyst, with overall guidance from the head of cluster of Governance and Inclusive Growth at UNDP, the Volunteer will perform the following duties: a. Prepare and publish, at least, one policy brief on a topic relevant to the project theme and with assistance from the project management team at the KAIPTC;
b. Support archiving of project documentation;
c. Assist in preparation of project activities including conferences, capacity development training courses and the processes for designing such courses; research activities;
d. Support the administrative and communication activities of the project in all the participating member states; and
e. Participate in activities relating to the broader research and dialogue agenda of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research that hosts the above-mentioned project.
– Support to analyze relevant information, technology information, data and/or statistics for technical and professional inputs in governance and peace research and various documents;
-contribute to the development of strategic documents, annual work plans, project proposals, as well as other documents as needed;
– Provide support on regional research projects, as well as in the drafting and contributing to concept notes, activity reports, and other materials;
– Provide support in the promotion of various programs and projects related to the advocacy for the effective implementation of SDG 16;
– Monitor and track activity implementation and provide bi-monthly reports
2. Support communication of project outcomes and lessons learnt: -contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes, by collecting, analyzing and reporting data and results;
-propose and assist with development of information and publicity materials to raise public awareness and dissemination of project results, in close coordination with the relevant peace and governance Groups in UNDP Regional Hubs and Headquarters.
3. Support to facilitate knowledge building and sharing related to the peace and governance: -support and participate in the organisation of workshops, seminars and trainings;
-Assist to identify and formulate lessons learnt and recommendations to be integrated into broader UNDP Ghana Country Office and UNDP Regional Bureau of Africa knowledge management efforts; contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 26
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
2 years of experience in working on Prevention of Violent Extremism, Conflict Prevention, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, Resilience-building or related fields, such as gender and youth, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
Sound security awareness;
Have affinity with or interest in peace and security, development in West Africa, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.
Additional eligibility criteria: This project is funded by the Government of Japan and therefore specific criteria apply: – Candidates must be Japanese nationals.
Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Elections and governance, Security and protection
Driving license
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
French, Level: Basic, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in governance, political science, development studies, international relations, international development, youth development, women and gender studies or other relevant field
Competencies and values
Accountability, Adaptability and flexibility, Creativity, Judgement and decision-making, Planning and organising, Professionalism, Self-management, Teamwork, Commitment to continuous learning, Respect for diversity
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The UN Volunteer will be based in Accra, Ghana which is currently classified as hardship category B and a family duty station. This confirms that transport, medical, education and other services are at a high level compared to other countries in the region. At sea level, the climate of the country is tropical-hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about 27oC (80oF) and little daily variation. At the interior’s higher altitudes, the average yearly temperature is 20oC (68oF), and nights are generally cool. Annual rainfall varies from 500 centimetres (200 in.) on the southwestern slopes to 100 centimetres (40 in.) in the northern lowlands. The rainy season runs from April to October. The total population of Ghana is about 30,000,000. Ghana is a Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) country. Regarding accommodation and food, houses and apartments can be rented from 800$ to 1500$ per month and meals at the restaurant cost between 20$ and 60$. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices. An entry visa is required for all travellers except ECOWAS nationals, and must be obtained prior to arrival from an embassy. The Cedi is the local currency and according to the UN exchange rate system, a USD 1 is equivalent to 12.40GHS in February 2024. Some commercial banks are operating in the country and Visa cards are accepted in very limited hotels. While the Volunteer will be based in Ghana, brief travels to other participating countries are potentially likely and upon administrative and diplomatic clearance from the destination country and the UNDP
You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy