Senior Mediation Adviser, Multiple positions At UNOPS

Job Highlight

Experts employed on the full-time team may be requested to provide short-term, targeted support to United Nations envoys, political and peacekeeping missions and country teams, as well as to regional organizations and partners with whom the United Nations works closely in conflict mediation and good offices world-wide.
Candidates should possess a strong analytical capacity, substantive knowledge, and significant direct experience in leading, designing, facilitating or advising on mediation, political or peace processes – whether at the national, subnational or local level. All candidates should have significant process design expertise, substantial and demonstrated understanding of conflict mediation dynamics; as well as demonstrated ability to work in dynamic and high-pressure situations, and to meet short deadlines. All applicants are expected to demonstrate competence in mainstreaming gender into their work.

SBT assignments are coordinated with the DPPA Mediation Support Unit (MSU), which determines when, where and how the SBT mechanism is utilized. Further information on MSU and the SBT mechanism is available on the Peacemaker website.

Prospective candidates should be aware that these are consultancy roles, and not UN staff. Deployments through the SBT mechanism are intended to be supportive in nature. There is no expectation of ongoing involvement in specific conflict settings or political processes, or ownership of products, projects and institutional relationships for members of the SBT mechanism.

Full-time members of the SBT mechanism must be permanently available for deployment on short notice and are not permitted to undertake any outside employment while serving on the SBT. Other types of outside activities require prior approval of UNOPS. The opportunity to serve on a When-Actually-Employed / Retainer contract in support of the Standby Team mechanism is also available to candidates recommended following the interview process. Outside employment is permitted for candidates on the When-Actually-Employed roster.

If selected, full-time members of the SBT mechanism should know that the composition of the SBT is revised on a yearly basis. As such, any full-time contract may cease after a single SBT term (ca. 12 months) should the expertise provided not be required and / or if the project is not renewed.

Job Specific Context

Established in 2008, the SBT mechanism is a service of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) situated in the Mediation Support Unit (MSU) of the Policy and Mediation Division (PMD). It is a specialized resource that can be rapidly deployed into the field on a temporary basis to provide short-term, targeted technical advice to UN officials and other key stakeholders engaged in conflict prevention or mediation efforts within set Terms of Reference.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Selected experts will work in one or more of the following areas of specialization:

1. Design and Conduct of Mediation, Facilitation and Dialogue Processes;
2. Security Arrangements (emphasis on ceasefires);
3. Constitutional Issues;
4. Power-sharing;
5. Gender and Inclusion;
6. Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources;
7. Transitional Justice and Reconciliation ;
8. Digital Technology, Mediation, and Inclusion.

Further desired qualifications, depending on the area of specialization, include:

• Security Arrangements: Strong analytical capacity, substantive knowledge and direct field experience in security arrangements in peace processes or other transitional contexts, particularly on ceasefire and cessation of hostilities issues, as well as disarmament, demobilization and reintegration matters and/or security sector reform;
• Constitutional Issues: Strong analytical capacity and substantive knowledge of constitutional issues in peace processes or other transitional contexts;
• Power-sharing: Strong analytical capacity and substantive knowledge of power-sharing, regional autonomy, and federalism arrangements in peace processes or other transitional contexts;
• Gender and Inclusion: Strong analytical capacity and substantive knowledge of gender, Women, Peace & Security, and broader inclusion issues in conflict and post-conflict settings, including knowledge of Youth, Peace & Security;
• Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources: Strong analytical capacity and substantive knowledge of the effects of climate change, specifically on conflict dynamics and natural resources (including on land, water, minerals, timber, oil, etc.) management, wealth-sharing, as well as natural-resource and climate change related mediation initiatives at the local, national and interstate levels.
• Transitional Justice and Reconciliation: Strong analytical capacity and substantive knowledge of human rights, international legal frameworks, and context-sensitive and victim-centered approaches to transitional justice in peace processes or other transitional contexts;
• Digital Technology, Mediation, and Inclusion: Strong analytical capacity and substantive knowledge of digital technologies and their applicability in peace and conflict scenarios (including cybersecurity considerations and online harassment risks; digital inclusion tools and strategies; digital process design and online facilitation techniques; and conflict-sensitive approaches to digital engagement).

1. Adviser on Design and Conduct of Mediation, Facilitation and Dialogue Processes

When operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide technical expertise and advice on the conduct and design of inclusive mediation, facilitation and dialogue processes to clients of the MSU and UNOPS, as well as to conflict parties or other key stakeholders as appropriate;
• Provide process expertise for the design, planning and management of pre-negotiation, negotiation and implementation frameworks at all levels, including national dialogue processes, subnational and local mediation efforts, and post-agreement follow-up mechanisms, or engagement modalities of different actors, including conflict parties, civil society or economic actors. This expertise should include methods and mechanisms for promoting women’s meaningful participation at all phases and levels and modalities for multi-track engagement with youth, civil society, economic and other Track II actors;
• As necessary and appropriate, participate in the mediation, facilitation and dialogue process, and contribute to the drafting of the relevant sections of peace agreements;
• As necessary, conceive, plan and manage capacity-building seminars for the mediation team, parties or other key stakeholders on inclusive and multi-track mediation, facilitation and dialogue, conflict analysis and/or political analysis;
• Prepare periodic reports and relevant thematic briefings for the mediation team;
• Prepare update reports, as requested;
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender mainstreamed and youth-sensitive;
• Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

*See tasks when not operationally or remotely deployed below

2. Adviser on Security Arrangements

When operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide technical expertise and advice on inclusive security arrangements, particularly on ceasefire and cessation of hostilities issues, as well as disarmament, demobilization and reintegration matters and/or security sector reform to clients of the MSU and UNOPS as well as to conflict parties or other key stakeholders, as appropriate;
• Provide process expertise for the design, planning and management of pre-negotiation, negotiation and implementation frameworks on security arrangements issues, including post-agreement follow-up mechanisms. This expertise should include methods and mechanisms for promoting women’s meaningful participation at all phases and levels and modalities for multi-track engagement with youth, civil society, and other Track II actors;
• As necessary and appropriate, participate in the security-related discussions of the mediation, facilitation and dialogue process, including addressing violations against women in criminal prosecutions, truth commissions, and reparations programmes, addressing conflict-related sexual violence, and contribute to the drafting of the relevant sections of peace agreements;
• As necessary, conceive, plan and manage capacity-building seminars for the mediation team, parties or other key stakeholders on security arrangements;
• Prepare periodic reports and relevant thematic briefings for the mediation team;
• Prepare update reports, as requested;
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender mainstreamed and youth-sensitive;
• Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

*See tasks when not operationally or remotely deployed below

3. Adviser on Constitutional Issues

When operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide technical expertise and advice on inclusive constitution making, constitution drafting and consultation processes to clients of the MSU and UNOPS, as well as to conflict parties or other key stakeholders as appropriate;
• Provide process expertise for the design, planning and management of pre-negotiation, negotiation and implementation frameworks on constitutional issues, including constitution-drafting exercises, national dialogue processes and post-agreement follow-up mechanisms. This expertise should include methods and mechanisms for promoting women’s meaningful participation at all phases and levels and modalities for multi-track engagement with youth, civil society, and other Track II actors;
• As necessary and appropriate, participate in the mediation talks on constitutional and transitional institutional arrangements, and contribute to the drafting of the relevant sections of peace agreements, including language prohibiting gender discrimination, securing women’s representation and protection, preventing civil and customary law to discriminate, and requiring institutions to advance women’s rights;
• As necessary, conceive, plan and manage capacity-building seminars for the mediation team, parties or other key stakeholders on constitutional and transitional institutional arrangements;
• Prepare periodic reports and relevant thematic briefings the mediation team or other teams involved in constitutions-related efforts;
• Prepare update reports, as requested;
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender mainstreamed and youth-sensitive;
• Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

*See tasks when not operationally or remotely deployed below

4. Adviser on Power-sharing

When operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide technical expertise and advice on power-sharing, regional autonomy, and federalism arrangements to clients of the MSU and UNOPS, as well as to conflict parties or other key stakeholders as appropriate;
• Provide process expertise for the design, planning and management of pre-negotiation, negotiation and implementation frameworks, including national dialogue processes and post-agreement follow-up mechanisms. This expertise should include methods and mechanisms for promoting women’s meaningful participation at all phases and levels and modalities for multi-track engagement with youth, civil society, and other Track II actors;
• As necessary and appropriate, participate in the mediation talks on power-sharing issues, and contribute to the drafting of the relevant sections of peace agreements, including supporting special temporary and other measures to ensure women’s representation in politics;
• As necessary, conceive, plan and manage capacity-building seminars for the mediation team, parties or other key stakeholders on power-sharing issues;
• Prepare periodic reports and relevant thematic briefings for the mediation team;
• Prepare update reports, as requested;
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender mainstreamed and youth-sensitive;
• Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

*See tasks when not operationally or remotely deployed below

5. Adviser on Gender and Inclusion

When operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide technical expertise and advice on gender, Women, Peace & Security, and inclusion issues to clients of the MSU and UNOPS, as well as to conflict parties or other key stakeholders as appropriate;
• Provide process expertise for the design, planning and management of inclusive pre-negotiation, negotiation and implementation frameworks, including national dialogue processes and post-agreement follow-up mechanisms. This expertise should include methods and mechanisms for promoting women’s meaningful participation at all phases and levels and modalities for multi-track engagement with youth, civil society, and other Track II actors;
• As appropriate, include methods and mechanisms for promoting meaningful participation of youth at all phases and levels of peace processes;
• As necessary and appropriate, participate in the mediation, facilitation and dialogue process, and contribute to discussions of gender and youth dimensions in the drafting of substantive aspects of peace agreements;
• As necessary, conceive, plan and manage capacity-building seminars for the mediation team, parties or other key stakeholders on gender, Women, Peace & Security issues;
• Prepare periodic reports and relevant thematic briefings for the team mediation team;
• Prepare update reports, as requested;
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender mainstreamed and youth-sensitive;
• Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

*See tasks when not operationally or remotely deployed below

6. Adviser on Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources

When operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide technical expertise and advice to clients of the MSU, as well as to conflict parties or other key stakeholders, as appropriate, including but not limited to: the current and projected effects of climate change, environmental or natural resource-related issues on the conflict context and stability, including the impact, risks and/or opportunities of current or projected climate stressors on the environment, communities, infrastructure, economies, and governance; analysis of environmental factors in the conflict context, including as potential entry points; conflict sensitive adaptation and mitigation measures; natural resources management and wealth-sharing, and climate sensitive conflict analysis;
• Provide process expertise for the design, planning and management of pre-negotiation, negotiation and implementation frameworks, including national dialogue processes and post-agreement follow-up mechanisms to address the adverse effects of climate change or environmental factors on conflict or disputes, including over natural resources. This expertise should include methods and mechanisms for promoting women’s meaningful participation at all phases and levels and modalities for multi-track engagement with youth, civil society, private sector and other Track II actors;
• As necessary and appropriate, participate in the mediation, facilitation and dialogue process on the climate change, environmental and natural resources-related factors in conflict and peacemaking, disputes over natural resources, and wealth-sharing, and contribute to the drafting of the relevant sections of peace agreements, taking into consideration relevant gender dimensions, and potential challenges and opportunities related to the integration of climate and environmental considerations;
• As necessary, conceive, plan and manage capacity-building seminars for the mediation team, parties or other key stakeholders on the effects of climate change and climate-related security risks, including relevant adaptation and mitigation measures, natural resource management, and wealth-sharing;
• Prepare periodic reports and relevant thematic briefings for the mediation team;
• Prepare update reports as requested;
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender mainstreamed and youth-sensitive;
• Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

*See tasks when not operationally or remotely deployed below

7. Adviser on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation

When operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide technical expertise and advice on issues of transitional justice, accountability for past crimes, and reconciliation to clients of the MSU and UNOPS, as well as to conflict parties or other key stakeholders as appropriate;
• Provide process expertise for the design, planning and management of pre-negotiation, negotiation and implementation frameworks, including national dialogue processes and post-agreement follow-up mechanisms. This should include advice on how to promote accountability and victims’ rights, and/or on context-specific approaches for a society to move towards reconciliation, with a focus on the strategy, design and participation modalities of peace talks in relation to these issues. It should take into account methods and mechanisms for promoting women’s meaningful participation at all phases and levels, and modalities for multi-track engagement with youth, civil society, victims and Track II actors;
• As necessary and appropriate, participate in the mediation talks on issues of transitional justice and reconciliation, and contribute to the drafting of the relevant sections of peace agreements, including from a gender perspective and with a youth lens;
• As necessary, conceive, plan and manage capacity-building seminars for the mediation team, parties or other key stakeholders on transitional justice and reconciliation issues;
• Prepare periodic reports and relevant thematic briefings for the mediation team;
• Prepare update reports, as requested;
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender mainstreamed and youth-sensitive;
• Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

*See tasks when not operationally or remotely deployed below

8. Adviser on Digital Technology, Mediation, and Inclusion

When operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide technical expertise and advice to clients of the MSU, conflict parties, and other key stakeholders on the strategic use of digital technologies to support mediation processes, including but not limited to: the opportunities, risks, and challenges of digital technologies in mediation and peace processes; cybersecurity considerations and online harassment risks (particularly for women and marginalized groups); digital inclusion strategies to enhance the meaningful participation of different groups and constituencies in mediation processes; advanced techniques for digital process design, online facilitation of negotiations and dialogue meetings, virtual consultations, and multi-track engagement; best practices for leveraging digital tools and platforms (e.g., secure messaging, virtual negotiation tools, crowdsourcing, and data analysis) to enhance transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency in peace processes; and conflict-sensitive approaches to digital engagement, including mitigating the impact of misinformation, hate speech, and algorithmic biases.
• Provide process expertise for the design, planning and management of digital issues within pre-negotiation, negotiation and implementation frameworks, including national dialogue processes and post-agreement follow-up mechanisms and monitoring. This expertise should include methods for promoting women’s meaningful digital participation at all phases and addressing the impacts of the malicious use of digital technologies, including on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
• Support mediation teams in mediation, facilitation and dialogue processes by providing real-time technical support for digital components of negotiations, contributing to the drafting of relevant sections of peace agreements that address digital considerations such as limiting the malicious use of digital technologies, or advising on digital implementation and monitoring mechanisms.
• Conduct capacity-building for mediation teams, parties, and stakeholders on: digital process design, facilitation, and risk mitigation; malicious uses of digital technologies by conflict parties and possible options within mediation processes to restrict their use; and digital tools and platforms to promote gender sensitive and youth inclusive processes.
• Prepare periodic reports and relevant thematic briefings for the mediation team on the effectiveness of digital interventions and emerging technological trends relevant to peace processes as needed.
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive, and accessible to stakeholders with varying levels of digital literacy.
• Research and document emerging technologies, tools, and platforms that may enhance mediation processes, including evaluation of their applicability in various conflict contexts.
• Contribute to operational guidance, training materials, and policy frameworks on digital technologies and mediation, addressing both technical considerations and process design implications.
• Contribute to MSU’s network of experts in digital technologies and mediation, fostering partnerships with relevant technology providers, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.
• Contribute to training sessions for UN staff and partners on digital facilitation, use of digital technologies by conflict parties, and digital monitoring and implementation mechanisms.Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

*See tasks when not operationally or remotely deployed below

*Applicable to all Advisor positions when not operationally or remotely deployed:

• Provide, via telephone, online engagements, and written materials, technical expertise and advice in the applicable specialization and area of expertise to mediation teams in the field, as well as to the parties or other key stakeholders as appropriate;
• Research and coordinate lessons learned reviews of best practices in the area of expertise;
• Research thematic and comparative briefings to support ongoing or planned mediation efforts;
• Produce and/or contribute to operational guidance notes, training materials, and related training materials in the area of expertise;
• Prepare and plan training sessions on area of expertise for United Nations staff;
• Prepare reports on field deployments;
• Contribute to MSU’s network of experts in the area of expertise;
• Ensure that all activities and written products are gender mainstreamed and youth-sensitive;

Any other tasks requested by the MSU and UNOPS.

How to apply

For further details and to submit your application, please click here.