Capacity Development Mentor to the MSS/UNDP Dialogue Teams, Dili

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT MENTOR TO THE MSS/UNDP DIALOGUE TEAMS
Location :	Dili, Timor Leste
Application Deadline :	25-Feb-09
Additional Category	Poverty Reduction
Type of Contract :	SSA
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)	11-Mar-2009
Duration of Initial Contract :	Six Months (with posibility extension)
Expected Duration of Assignment :	Six Months
The Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) is the Government body with responsibility for leading the implementation of the National Recovery Strategy Hamutuk Hari? i Futuru to address the impacts resulting from the 2006 Crisis, both on communities and on their displaced members. UNDP, in partnership with the MSS, is in the second-half of what is currently a 12-month project that will concentrate on expanding the resources available to the Ministry in supporting the processes of return, relocation and reintegration by promoting dialogue and enhancing communication and trust between IDPs and their recipient communities. This project has established a total of 8 dialogue promotion teams who are situated centrally at the Ministry as well as dispersed through the central sub-districts of Dili and in two regional locations. The tasks and focus of these teams necessarily vary according to setting and the needs of the families and communities themselves, however, past experience has demonstrated that there are two key areas in which staff are required to focus their efforts: inter-group dialogue facilitation and inter-(and sometimes intra-) family conflict mediation. The project is guided by a steering committee comprising MSS, UNDP, the Ministry of State Administration and partner organisations represented through an appointed member of the hamutuk harii konfiansa trust building working group who meet to review and evaluate progress.? At this point MSS dialogue staff, together with staff of partner organisations supporting the trust-building pillar of the national recovery strategy are still providing assistance to the relocation of IDPs coming from camps and returning to community based settings. This work is coordinated through the weekly Hamutuk Hari? i Konfiansa trust building working group. The assistance provided may take the form of mediating between IDPs and secondary occupants living in their former homes as well as with other community members who are not yet ready to receive them. Issues pertaining to ownership of land and property are frequently encountered, yet in these cases the mandate of the Ministry of Justice and its National Directorate of Land and Property (DNTP) is clear, and staff refers cases wherever possible to trained mediators of the DNTP. MSS has requested that training of the dialogue promotion staff be intensive and far-reaching, particularly as the project moves towards its anticipated handover to become an integral part of the Ministry of Social Solidarity? s National Directorate of Social Assistance. The initial set-up of the programme has focussed on the establishment of the systems and modalities required in implementing, reporting and monitoring the key tasks performed by the dialogue teams. Trainings have also been carried out to strengthen staff skills in mediation, negotiation facilitation and leadership. At this point the project is prioritising refinement of existing systems in light of experience gained by the project staff and staff-centred capacity development through on the job training and evaluation. In parallel, MSS and UNDP are currently discussing the potential extension of the project to continue its support to the return and reintegration process and develop the ministry? s capacity and systems for conflict prevention, dialogue and mediation. To prepare for this role UNDP has conducted an initial assessment of the dialogue teams? operational strengths and weaknesses and, together with support provided by the Asia Foundation, developed an overview of the training needs related to the facilitation of the key tasks of members of the dialogue team. Strategy Goal: to assist the GoTL supporting the processes of return, relocation and reintegration by promoting dialogue and enhancing communication between IDPs and their recipient communities Objectives: to further develop MSS? s capacity in delivery of mediation and conflict resolution/mitigation through the dialogue teams Deliverables: Capacity development plan designed and implemented over a 6 month period To that end, the mediation trainer will deliver the following: An initial workplan outlining key tasks to be performed over the 6-month period, developed in close consultation with the national project manager and the Director of Social Assistance; Multiple training activities conducted through one-off events and on the job support to develop the capacity of the dialogue outreach staff; A brief evaluation of the administration system supporting the dialogue teams and follow-on development of additional tools and resources needed to strengthen identified weaknesses; A final report, to be submitted to UNDP and MSS, summarising achievements and progress and highlighting as yet unmet needs within the dialogue teams for training and capacity development; Timeframe: Six months, starting March 2009 Proposed Schedule of Work: No Activities (x) Mar. 09; (x) Apr. 09; (x) May 09; (x) Jun. 09; (x) Jul. 09 1. Briefing sessions to senior members of MSS X 2. Review Training Needs Assessment X 3. Submit Training Action Plan X 4. Conduct Training sessions, including on-the-job training X X X X 5. Prepare Training Materials? X X X X 6. Submission of a Final Report X
The trainer is expected to assume the following responsibilities: Provide technical advice on training methodologies, development of lesson plans and creation of training activities for all aspects of mediation training needed by the dialogue teams; Directly implement training sessions, and, through consultation with project management, wherever possible involve them in facilitating training sessions; Identify and organise further trainings utilising other national organisations that may be well-placed to facilitate; Review staff comprehension of existing guidelines for mediation and dialogue; Evaluate the administration system supporting the dialogue teams and follow-on development of standard operations procedures, forms and other tools needed by the staff in their daily duties to address identified weaknesses; Consult with and brief the project manager on the assistance provided and submit a final report on training activities
Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills; Strong negotiating and managerial skills to be able to work both independently and as a member of a team; Excellent networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships; Cross-cultural management experience and sensitivity; High level planning, organisational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines Well developed interpersonal skills , including the ability to liaise effectively at senior levels Analytical and problem solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and policy advice desirable Demonstrated capacity to work both independently and in a team environment
An advance degree in conflict resolution, law, human rights, peace and development studies, international relations, anthropology or other related area or equivalent experience. At least three years experience working in a post-conflict environment. Professional experience in the field of training, or skills transfer Direct experience with mediation training desirable; Experience with civil society organizations desirable; Experience of working on Land and Property issues an advantage; A sound sense of judgment and commitment to the core values of the United Nations; Interpersonal and communication skills; Experience of working in a multicultural/international environment; Training and capacity building skills; Familiarity with the current Government National Recovery Strategy a clear advantage; Excellent command of written and spoken English is a prerequisite, knowledge of Tetum or Bahasa Indonesian is an asset. Monitoring and Reporting 1. The Capacity Development Mentor to the MSS/UNDP Dialogue Teams will be reporting to the National Programme Manager of the. Support to Institutional Structures and Mechanisms for Dialogue? project and through the Project Manager to ARR/CPR and UNDP senior management; 2. Within the first thirty days of the contract s/he will submit the a detailed workplan including a Training Action Plan to the national programme manager of the dialogue project, with copy to UNDP ARR/CPR; 3. The Mediation Trainer will submit a final report at the conclusion of the activity including specific recommendations for ongoing capacity development.

Related Post: