Specialist in Conflict and Violence Prevention

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Ecuador faces multiple political, security, socio-economic and environmental risks. On the political front, clashes between actors have weakened governance and led to two attempts to remove the President from office in 2022 and 2023, who finally dissolved the Assembly and called for new elections in August of this year. The new president will be elected in a run-off on October 15, 2023, and will govern the country until 2025.

The lack of governance is compounded by the political violence of the last two elections, unprecedented in Ecuador's history. In August 2023, a presidential candidate was assassinated, and other political actors were subject to attacks and threats. In addition, there have been allegations regarding the penetration of organized crime in the financing and nomination of candidates. Political violence against women is also increasing. Moreover, the rapid deterioration of insecurity indicators due to the growing presence of organized crime is a key area of concern. The country reached a rate of 25 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022, four times higher than in 2020. Between 2015 and 2022, the femicide rate grew three times faster than the Latin American average.

In the social sphere, conflicts led to widespread protests, with unprecedented outbreaks of violence in 2019 and 2022. The country also faces a delicate fiscal situation exacerbated by COVID-19, insufficient GDP growth, falling oil production prices and lack of investment. The El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2023, will bring new multidimensional challenges.

The UNV will specifically support activities related with the analysis and the development of programmatic proposals to prevent violence (particularly political) and conflict.

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Governance and Inclusive Development Area, and the accompaniment of the Peace and Development Advisor, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Analysis and research of the country's political, social and security situation and preparation of studies, technical notes, and substantive inputs. • Development of programmatic proposals for intervention in the field of violence and conflict prevention. • Support in the comprehensive management of projects related to violence and conflict prevention. • Support in the organization and participation in meetings, project visits and monitoring activities. • Preparation of inputs for reports, including donor reports. • Support to the UNDP team in the establishment of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization. • Facilitation of knowledge creation and management. • Continuous and active learning for professional growth. • Undertake any other activities / tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Working in Teams

project design and project management. - Conflict prevention, conflict analysis, do-no-harm approach, and dialogue tools would be valued. - Data and analysis tools, statistical analysis, and quantitative and qualitative analysis is desirable. - Results-based management, results oriented reporting, and evaluation and monitoring is desirable. - Experience working with the UN system or in other international development organizations would be valued. - Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e., studies, volunteer work, and/or internship) would be highly regarded. - Excellent writing skills. - Computer skills (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).
- Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills. - Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team. - Flexible and open to learning and new experiences. - Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions.

The place of assignment of the volunteer will be in the city of Quito. Quito is the capital of Ecuador and is located 2,830 meters above sea level. It has a temperate climate, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 27 degrees Celsius. About two million people live in the city, and it offers transportation, banking, and telecommunications services. The city does not present serious problems in terms of citizen security; however, it has average levels of crime. General security conditions are guaranteed by the rules established by the United Nations System (UNS).

The person filling this vacancy will work in close coordination with UNDP staff. He/she will be required to adhere to UNDP work schedules and policies and be available for meetings as needed. UNDP will provide technical follow-up and constant monitoring to ensure adequate compliance with the assignments and the achievement of results. UNDP will also comply with all obligations related to the administration of this contract until its closing.