In line with the new Country Programme Document for UNDP Iraq (CPD 2020-2024), which aims to support the Government of Iraq’s vision for a sustainable peaceful Iraq ,UNDP Iraq has now developed a new program on social cohesion which will work in four main areas that include 1) Strengthening the national frameworks for peace and social cohesion, 2) strengthening inter-linking community infrastructures for social cohesion at multi-levels 3) supporting and strengthening  capacities and resources of academia and research institutions and actors to lead social cohesion and 4) working with media institution and media professionals to improved advocacy and public awareness.

UNDP will also mainstream conflict sensitive approaches to all its programming to address the underlying challenges of exclusion, marginalization and societal divisions through each pillar to contribute to address key drivers of conflict. Based on its mandate, comparative advantage, global and regional experience, and knowledge, UNDP will support use of analytical tools- such as social cohesion index, conflict development analysis (CDA) and M&E instruments for PVE to inform social cohesion and risk management strategies. It will adopt and introduce innovative approaches to use social media and social local networks to engage youth and women to address the social and development challenges through accelerators labs and use of digital technology.  Considering the differentiated national, regional and local needs and priorities, UNDP will support solution pathways based on area-based consultative approaches and analytical tools such as local conflict and risk assessments, building on the lessons and knowledge from the current social cohesion interventions. In addition, UNDP will support the GOI to develop and implement a social cohesion agenda that promotes conflict resolution mechanisms, dialogue and trust building measures, as well as enable peaceful coexistence and prevent future radicalization and recruitment to violent extremist groups.

Under the guidance and the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Social Cohesion Pillar the Senior Project Officer/Community Mobilization will lead the work on social cohesion at the community level to strengthen the local structures such as Local Peace Committees, Women groups, Youth groups, CBOs and to work on integration of all vulnerable  groups in the social cohesion programme such as IDPs, returnees, ISIL-affiliated families. He or she will responsible of the planning and  implementation of activities related this area as outlined in the project document and the work plan. The senior project officer will lead a team of project officer and field coordinators.

• Ensure the planning and implementation of the activities related to Community structures (Local Peace Committees, Women groups, Youth groups, and other CBOs) and other mechanisms is effective, and mechanisms are operational and sustainable 
• Ensure the implementation of activities that advocate for the integration of Women, young people and other excluded groups such as IDPs, returnees, ISIL-affiliated families into decision-making 
• Coordinate and Facilitate events that provide fora for Interaction, dialogue and joint actions between IDPs, returnees and host-communities
• Ensure stronger horizontal and vertical liaising between social cohesion structures, mechanisms and groups
• Identify suitable community led and social cohesion initiatives to be implemented in the project targeted locations in consultation with local mechanisms
• Ensures compliance with UNDP’s policies and procedures on project management in all stages of the project cycle;
• Ensures application of effective Results Based Management (RBM) tools and   systems, and advises on effectiveness; 
• Design and formulation of the Country office Programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.

• Ensures coordination and implementation of programme/project activities in the field of social cohesion by working closely with country office program and project colleagues
• Liaises closely with the Programme Support Unit and the project M&E Officer to measure evolving degrees of community tension and the impact of community and cohesion activities;
• Organizes regular monitoring visits to various parts of Iraq and project locations;
• Drafts regular progress reports in line with scheduled reporting deadlines, including risk framework;
• Identifies and provides recommendations to solutions in order to mitigate risks and overcome bottlenecks.

• Identify potential partners and support the development of proposals in the area of community and social cohesion;
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
• Regular liaison with stakeholders, donors, partners and other relevant program/project stakeholders.
• Manage field coordinators and ensure timely implementation, results –orientation and accountability for project results;
• Review and finalization of letters of agreement/Micro capital grants or responsible partner agreements for the stabilization project, in preparation for Clearance

• Contribute to updated and new sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Contribute to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other partners.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Promote learning and development by providing opportunities for training and capacity guiding to enhance the competencies/productivity of staff members;
• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices in community reconciliation programming and operations to maximize efficiency and achieve concrete and sustainable results.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

• Good managerial and leading skills; 
• Demonstrate strong coordination and organizational skills; 
• Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team; 
• Consistently approaches to work with energy and a positive and constructive attitude;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.

• Good communication skill both in writing and oral including networking and interpersonal skills; 
• Proven ability to persuade and influence others to cooperate.

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion; 
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;  
• Proven ability to build strong relations with partners, clients for positive feedback;
• Ability to undertake and apply gender analysis to ensure gender equitable solutions

• Build, coordinate and advise on strategic and programmatic partnership 
• Facilitate the engagement of major stakeholders or groups in environment and sustainable development decision making, their access to and sharing of information for effective compliance.

• Advise on the development and management of the Facility’s communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities to raise the Facility’s profile at the national and international levels.

• Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter 
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; 
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Willing to undertake other assignments as provided by the Head of the Facility

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, 
• Gathers relevant information before making a decision,
• Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them, 
• Proposes a course of action based on all available information,
• Checks assumptions against facts

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent)in social sciences, public policy, politics, economics, development studies or a related area.or any  relevant field. Bachelor’s Degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be accepted in liue of Master’s.

• At least  7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in working with local level mechanisms, groups, CBOs and facilitating community dialogue and engagements.
• Proven experience on working on building of community level capacities including women, youth and community leaders. 
• Experience in social cohesion and community reconciilation programming, including at the national and field level.
• Experience in the usage of ATLAS and ERP systems is an asset

• Fluency in  English and Arbaic, both spoken and written is required.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Contract Duration: One Year