• Country: Dakar, Senegal
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: UNV
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-01-25

Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) is a political mission managed by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). UNOWAS was established in 2002 following a request to the Security Council by the UN Secretary general, the late Kofi Annan. Its original mandate has changed over time to reflect the needs of the region and was last extended in January 2023.

Context
The volunteer will work to advance the research and analysis portfolio within the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), based in Dakar, Senegal, under the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. UNOWAS works in preventive diplomacy, good offices, political mediation and facilitation efforts, peace consolidation and democratic governance, together with regional organizations to support solutions to threats to peace and security, such as terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organized crime, piracy, and maritime insecurity. UNOWAS assists regional institutions and member states to promote good governance and respect for the rule of law, human rights, and the mainstreaming of gender in conflict prevention. Through high level political advocacy, it supports the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel.

The research and analysis portfolio involves efforts to enhance the mission’s and information management tools and resources to improve the mission’s leadership situational awareness. In line with this, partnerships with other UN entities have been launched. This portfolio includes knowledge management activities such as workshops, in-house discussions, conferences and research on substantial cross-cutting themes.

The research outputs will inform the tasks of the senior mission leadership, including for the good offices and work of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), the Deputy SRSG and the Director of Political Affairs. Knowledge management tasks will facilitate analyst work of UNOWAS as a whole.

Task type
Research

Task description
We are looking for 1 Online Volunteer with experience in research and knowledge management with excellent writing skills. The task will include the following responsibilities:
– Discuss and determine parameters for the research;
– Conduct desk reviews and identify and gather sources and relevant bibliography for studies and other products;
– Conduct research and write analytical products, including the drafting of reports, background briefs, talking points, correspondence, and speeches, among others.
– Provide coordination and substantive support to meetings, workshops and conference organization.
– Attend conferences and meetings of interest to UNOWAS, and provide verbal and written briefing notes to colleagues.
– Provide comments, feedback and improvements on given material with analytical depth, creativity and regional context-specific insight.

Requirements
Required experience
Candidates must have strong research, analytical and writing skills. 5 years of demonstrated working experience in West Africa and the Sahel, the United Nations, especially in Peacekeeping or Special Political Missions, or other international organizations is desirable. Experience in researching international, political and/or security affairs, especially on the subregion, is required. Background knowledge on regional cross-cutting themes including but not limited to, political affairs, peace and security, socio-economic developments, international and regional organizations, preventive diplomacy, elections and unconstitutional changes of government is desirable. Applicants should be communicative, able to effectively plan research projects and have the necessary abilities for teamwork. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field is considered a must, such as in international relations, political science, law, economics, peace and conflict studies, or alike. A master’s degree in similar subjects is required.

Languages
French, Level: Working knowledge, Required
English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Other information
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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