Vacancy#: UNIOGBIS/NC-01/2018/Deadline: 1 week from the posting date

Post Title: Consultant on Inclusive Mediation Processes // Level: Senior National Consultant

Organizational Unit: OSRSG // Location: Bissau// Duration: 3 months (subject to extension)

UNIOGBIS invites candidates for the position highlighted above.  Interested candidates are requested to submit the complete application (P.11 or Curriculum Vitae (CV), one-page motivation letter outlining how their experience, skills, qualifications and professional networks fit with the required deliverables, copies of Birth Certificate or National Identity Card/National Passport, academic diploma/certificate and employment letters from previous employers, to UNIOGBIS Human Resources Section. Please note that you can also apply by email to uniogbis-recruitment@un.org. Kindly note that upon receipt of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Context and rationale:

Guinea-Bissau continues to experience a protracted political and institutional crisis, with little progress on the implementation of the ECOWAS six-point roadmap signed in Bissau in September 20016 and of the  Conakry Agreement sgined in October 2016. The Parliament (National People’s Assembly/ANP)  has not met in plenary since December 2015 and has not approved the programme and budget presented by the current Prime Minister’s government. Meanwhile, the country is preparing to enter a new electoral cycle, with the organization of legislative and presidential elections planned for 2018 and 2019 respectively, which may lead to further escalation of political tensions.

In this context, UNIOGBIS continues to work to implement its mandate and to support all Bissau-Guinean actors in finding long-lasting solutions to the current political situation, including by supporting the ongoing international mediation process requested by the Government, and concomitant national efforts to foster dialogue.

An important part of UNIOGBIS’ dedicated political good offices and preventive diplomacy  through the upcoming electoral cycle will focus on ensuring, in line with Security Council resolution 1325 and lessons learned from the region, the meaningful  involvement of women in mediation, facilitation and other efforts to resolve the crisis and building lasting peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau.

UNIOGBIS is recruiting a Senior Advisor (consultant) on inclusive mediation, facilitation and conflict-resolution processes, to provide targeted advice and support to the UN leadership and its partners in strenghtening the role of women in the efforts to strenghten stability in Guinea-Bissau, and in fostering greater inclusivity of women in the country’s political and institutional processes.

Summary of Position:

On a consultancy basis, the Senior Adviser will provide overall advice and support to the UNIOGBIS leadership on issues relevant to advance inclusivity (with a focus on women) of mediation, facilitation and conflict-resolution processes in Guinea-Bissau, and related issues including elections and peacebuilding, and other areas as determined by UNIOGBIS. The consultancy assignment will last for a total of 90 days. Payments will be made upon certification by UNIOGBIS that the services related to the Terms of Reference have been satisfactorily performed and deliverables have been achieved.

Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the SRSG, and in consultation with the Gender Officer, the selected candidate will provide strategic advice, advocacy support and analysis to the senior leadership of UNIOGBIS. Tasks may include gathering information on  pressing, emerging or strategic issues, and engaging with relevant national counteparts on technical areas of relevance (e.g. mediation, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, constitutional law, electoral laws and frameworks); providing strategic feedback and technical comments on relevant initiatives of UNIOGBIS/UN; and other tasks as required.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree or equivalent in Political Science, Law, Economics, Business, Public Policy, or related fields

Experience:

Minimum 15 years of experience, including at senior level, in the political sphere, in government, or public institution, law, academic or international organization or other related sectors

Demonstrated understanding of political and institutional frameworks of Guinea-Bissau

Demonstrated experience in mobilizing and/or influencing high-level processes and/or public discourse on the issues of mediation, facilitation, peacebuilding and/or women’s participation in political and institutional life of Guinea-Bissau; ability to navigate in complex political environments, prepare analytical reports, and treat sensitive matters with tact and utmost confidentiality.

Language:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written Portuguese is required. Working knowledge of French is an advantage; ability to communicate with Creole speakers is an advantage.

Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates. Completed detailed applications documentation as specified above referring to Vacancy#: UNIOGBIS/NC-01/2018 should be forwarded to the attention of: Human Resources Section (HRS), UNIOGBIS Headquarters, Bairro Penha, P.O.Box 222 – Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.