National Specialist in Social Cohesion (Ouvert à tous les candidats)

present in more than 170 countries and territories. It helps governments identify their own solutions to the national and global development challenges they face. 

The 2024-2027 Country Programme Document (CPD) provides the legal framework for all UNDP interventions in Burundi over a four-year period. It comprises three pillars focusing on Governance, Inclusive Development, and Environment/Climate/Energy. 

The Governance pillar comprises three main components: institutional governance, justice and the rule of law, and social cohesion. These components are implemented in an interconnected manner through various portfolios and specific projects. The social cohesion component is particularly evident in the "Justice, Rule of Law, and Social Cohesion" portfolio, but also through targeted initiatives that contribute concretely to the specific indicators of the CPD (Community Development Plan). 

Burundi is experiencing a dynamic repatriation situation. According to UNHCR, Burundi expects to receive approximately 3,000 returnees per week by 2026, requiring a coordinated response from the UN system. Social cohesion is one of the major challenges associated with the repatriation of Burundian refugees. The return of tens of thousands of people to a country with limited resources can destabilize community stability.

To contribute to strengthening social cohesion in Burundi, UNDP has developed two projects currently funded by the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF): the project “  Spaces for Dialogue and Support for Trauma Healing in Burundi ” and the project “  Youth Together for the Implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda and Social Cohesion in Burundi .” Both projects are implemented by specialized consortia previously approved by the PBF and the Steering Committee at the national level. 

It is within this framework that UNDP wishes to recruit a  National Specialist  in charge of Social Cohesion issues, whose roles and responsibilities are described in the following sections.

1. Coordination and monitoring of social cohesion activities within the Governance pillar 

• Ensure the planning and monitoring of the implementation of social cohesion activities included in the various ongoing projects: the "Justice, Rule of Law and Social Cohesion" portfolio, the "Dialogue and Trauma Healing Project" and the "Youth, Peace and Security Project".
• Stimulating innovation, ensuring the visibility of results and UNDP's positioning in the field

2. Promoting an integrated and holistic approach to the activities of the social cohesion component 

• Working with colleagues from other UNDP teams to promote an integrated and complementary vision of the CPD's social cohesion component;
• Participate in inter-agency discussions or other discussion groups on issues of social cohesion and peacebuilding   

3. Contribution to the formulation of new initiatives in the field of social cohesion and to the mobilization of partnerships 

• Develop effective partnerships around the theme of social cohesion and contribute to UNDP's positioning in this area
• Substantially support the Bureau's resource mobilization efforts in this and other areas, as opportunities arise;

4. Participation in other mandate exercises for the implementation of the UNDP agenda in Burundi 

• Actively participate in the Bureau committees and ad hoc panels designated by the Management.
• Proactively contribute to the UNDP/Burundi team cohesion activities 
• Participate in programmatic reflection exercises (new CPD, new UNSCDF, etc.) 
• To contribute technical expertise to the development processes of the next UNDP and UN system cooperation frameworks, if requested by Management;
• Contribute to the annual reporting exercises on the CPD and the UN cooperation framework. Provide training and knowledge sharing.

5. Promotion of gender equality and socio-environmental factors do not have a major impact 

• Promote women's participation at all levels, 
• To ensure that the results benefit all groups in society equitably. 
• Ensure that the proposed activities do not cause social and environmental damage.

The post holder performs other tasks within his functional profile, deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the Office and the Organization.

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