consultants democracy and peace Specialists

The 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July 2012 mandated the African Union Commission working closely with the Ethiopian Government, other organs of the Union including the Regional Economic Communities and Member States to make arrangements for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity. The subsequent 20th Assembly of the Union declared the year 2013 as the Year of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance. This decision emanates from the recognition that this year marks 50 years since the OAU was formed on 25 May 1963 and officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The 20th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2013 further urged the Commission to expedite preparations for the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU including a special celebration Summit of Heads of State and Government slated for 25 May 2013 in Addis Ababa. It is also important to note that the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of OAU coincides with the ten years of the transformation of the OAU into the AU. The occasion marks a decade since the formation of the AU, which seeks to promote “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena” . In a sense, therefore, the 50th Anniversary has a two-pronged significance namely (a) the founding of the OAU fifty years ago and (b) the transformation of the OAU into the AU ten years ago. The celebrations are planned for one year spanning 25 May 2013 to 25 May 2014. They will all evolve around the theme: Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance consistent with the decision of the 19th Summit of the AU Assembly as highlighted above. It is encouraging that the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly decided to devote its June/July sessions to the consideration of development and integration issues in Africa (ASSEMBLY/AU/DEC.456 (XX)). This a good step in the right direction of ensuring synergy of AU efforts in promoting development, democracy and peace as three major necessary conditions for achieving continental integration and unity. The Governance Cluster of the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) is embarking on a project aimed contributing to the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of OAU/AU under the theme: Fifty Years of Building Democracy and Peace in Africa: Policy Reflections and Future Options. Through this initiative, members of both clusters will assist the AU reflect on progress made over the past 50 years regarding efforts aimed at the promotion of democracy and peace building on the continent. In that process, the UN and other cluster members as well as the AU organs and institutions will have a better appreciation of where the continent is today in respect of democracy and peace in terms of what works, what does not work, key areas of achievements, avoidable practices etc. On the basis of the historical record since the early 1960s and the contemporary situation, some future options will be explored including proposals of clear-cut and concrete recommendations regarding possible routes the continent may to take over the next five decades. Thus, the initiative will be historical, reflective and futuristic in form and content. It will celebrate Africa’s progress thus far; it will pin-point challenges that still remain; it will profile commendable practices; it will highlight avoidable practices; it will authenticate Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance through African narratives of its journey towards democracy consolidation and peace building. This initiative aims to form part of the debate and knowledge exchanges on democracy and peace in Africa as part of the year-long celebrations of the 50th Anniversary planned for 25 May 2013 to 25 May 2014. It is therefore timely, pertinent and in sync with the AUC’s overall agenda for the celebrations of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.

Duties and Responsibilities

The five consultants will be tasked mainly to undertake policy-relevant and development-oriented desk studies on “Fifty Years of Democratisation and Peace-Building in Africa”, each taking a particular focus on each one of the 5 sub-regions. Overall, the TORs for the consultants include, inter alia:  Desk research on democracy and peace in Africa, particularly with respect to specific dynamics in that sub-region; Field Visit to the Headquarters of the selected RECs to solicit additional information for the Discussion Paper; Distillation of emerging key issues on democracy and peace from relevant reports, including APRM reports, AGR reports and AGF reports, relevant documents of the AU, its organs and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs; Preparation of one Discussion Paper on democracy and peace in that region (between 15-20 pages): Submission of the draft Discussion Paper to UNDP for review; Revisions of the draft Discussion Paper and resubmission of the final draft to UNDP; Presentation of the discussion paper in November 2013 in Dakar, Senegal ahead of the High-Level Consultations

Competencies

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; Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment Functional Competencies: The consultant must be demonstrable research, writing and policy analysis skills; S/he must also demonstrate ability for lobby and policy advocacy S/he must have sufficient knowledge of and familiarity with the institutions, visions, missions, strategic goals Objectives and priorities of the AU, RECs and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency as well as the African Peer Review Mechanism;  Ethics and Values: Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative. Team Work: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.  Communicating and Information Sharing: Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.  Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver a variety of tasks on time  Exercise sound judgment/analysis  Ability to develop creative solutions  Ability to provide constructive coaching and feedback for others Ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations  Ability to work in culturally diverse environments and display diplomacy and tact  Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact, and courtesy in relation to implementing partners, and national and international personnel of varied nationalities and backgrounds

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent and appropriate skills in Law, Public Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Political Science, or any other relevant Social Science discipline. Experience: At least Fifteen (15) years proven experience of work in the governance filed broadly and specifically on democracy and peace issues in Africa; Language Requirements: S/he must be fluent in English and possess excellent writing skills to the target audience;  Working knowledge of French will be an added advantage Interested applicants should submit thier CV online.  only short listed candidates will be conducted to submit technical and financial proposal FC: 39808

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=36898