Peacebuilding Officer
Organizational Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sudan supports national transition efforts, focusing on peacebuilding, stabilization, climate resilience, and economic improvement. As a key development integrator, UNDP champions SDG-focused initiatives, including socioeconomic transformation, governance restoration, local peacebuilding consolidation, and a Green Deal for renewable energy and climate resilience. The organization partners with national and international entities to combat poverty, facilitate recovery, manage natural resources, and advance social cohesion, requiring investment in stabilization and resilience at all societal levels.
Job Purpose
This National UN Volunteer assignment aims to rebuild and strengthen local peace infrastructures in Sudan amidst ongoing armed conflict. The volunteer will be embedded within a selected Peace Centre to support its institutional recovery and operational strengthening. Key contributions include conducting conflict analysis, assisting in mediation process design and facilitation, documenting local peace initiatives, and applying methodologies like Everyday Peace Indicators. The role also involves strengthening linkages between local peace actors and UNDP/UN programming, and promoting women's participation in peacebuilding efforts. This position operates under a dual reporting line, with technical supervision from UNDP's Peacebuilding & Governance Pillar and operational coordination from the Host Peace Centre Director.
Responsibilities
The Peacebuilding Officer will focus on several key areas. Firstly, institutional strengthening involves conducting needs assessments for host Peace Centres, identifying gaps, supporting the revitalization of mandates and workplans, and assisting in rebuilding documentation systems. Secondly, in conflict analysis and mediation, the role includes conducting structured analysis, supporting the design of inclusive dialogue processes, providing technical backstopping to mediators, and facilitating dialogue. Thirdly, engagement with the Sudan Peace Observatory involves documenting local peace initiatives using frameworks like ACCP, validating information, and integrating Everyday Peace Indicators findings. Fourthly, the officer will support UNDP's peacebuilding and governance programming, ensuring it aligns with local dynamics and documenting outcomes. Fifthly, advisory functions include providing analytical briefs on risks, identifying areas for preventive engagement, advising on conflict-sensitive programming, and identifying opportunities to reinforce peace dividends. Finally, knowledge management entails preparing reports, tracking risks, contributing to donor reporting, supporting knowledge exchange, and documenting lessons learned.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is required, with five years being desirable. This includes experience supporting community-level mediation or peacebuilding initiatives, a strong understanding of Sudan's local conflict dynamics and governance structures, and experience in conflict analysis and mediation process design. Proficiency in facilitation, coordination, and communication is essential, as is the ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and volatile environments with high ethical standards and conflict sensitivity.
Skills
Core competencies include accountability, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, sound judgment, decision-making, planning, organization, professionalism, and self-management, alongside integrity and impartiality. Technical expertise areas encompass safety and security, emergency preparedness, crisis response, project management, programme development, and strategy implementation. Fluency in both Arabic and English is required.