Development Consultant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)Non Family with Residential LocationCONS International2024-12-20December 28, 2024Experience: Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Development Economics, Development Studies, Political Science, Socio-Economic Development, International Relations, or related field plus minimum 9 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of Master's) plus 5-8 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant professional work experience may also be accepted in a competitive selection criterion.
Field of expertise, competencies: a minimum of 5-year direct work experience in a large international development institution in a relevant position, including experience in field operations. Preferably with knowledge of, or experience in, local or area based economic development, direct engagement in a technical sector such as education, WASH, social protection, health, energy. Practical experience working with and an understanding of the different aspects of economic growth, governance, fragility, and conflict. Expertise related to the governance of specific multilateral development banks or bilateral development actors most relevant to the AoR: Desirable
Experience with forced displacement. Experience in primary data collection, quantitative research methods and results-based management.

1. Nature of the task : As part of its planned 2025-2025 UNHCR Multi-Year Strategy, UNHCR Ethiopia and Gambella aims to maximize the presence of different humanitarian and development actors and other refugee-hosting community focused projects for expansion, inclusion and better protection of the persons of concern in Gambella regions, as well as promote peaceful co-existence between the refugees and local communities. UNHCR and operational partners are providing development support to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience among the population. The agriculture sector is reported to have the biggest potential to offer sustainable livelihoods to refugees and host communities in Gambella regions, with the region being endowed with highly diversified natural resources and large expanse of arable land, rainfall and ground water resources remain the most critical challenge abound economic inclusion and participation by the displaced population residing in camps.

To ensure the Gambella operation enhances and takes advantage of the opportunities the GCR offers, the UNHCR works with key stakeholders to make sure we maximise the impact of the initiatives to have transformational effect. The operation is mainstreaming development in its thematic engagement. The individual consultant will assist in operationalizing the costed Gambella Solutions Roadmap through developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Gambella Regional State (GRS), Refugee Returnee Services (RRS), and UNHCR for the practical implementationand roll out of the Road map and the comprehensive refugee response at regional, national, and local levels. The incumbent will assist in managing strategic partnerships and coordinating with both internal and external stakeholders including key development actors, national authorities, and other relevant operational partners. Within UNHCR, consultant will coordinate closely with the relevant staff across the operation, including Community Services, Protection, Programme, and other technical sectors. They will focus on enterprise development, and income generating activities, business development and private sector. This will be done in close collaboration of relevant staff across the operation, including Livelihoods, Protection, Education, Health, WASH, Programme, and other technical sectors.

The incumbent will work on operationalizing the strategic vision to align livelihoods and economic inclusion efforts with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which underscores the need to mobilize additional actors and to adopt a whole-of-society approach to strengthen refugee self-reliance and help ease pressure on host countries. Promoting economic inclusion of refugees is a key development area that will enable the achievement of these objectives and contribute to the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals.
Desirable:
• Demonstrable evidence of understanding Ethiopia’s Political Economy and its Federal System.
• Strong Knowledge and Understanding of Ethiopia’s Development Approach and its priority sectors, as well as Development Policies and Programs that have been significant in transforming lives.
• Proven experience in working as a Development Expert in Ethiopia, both at the federal and regional bureau levels. Networks at the Woreda and Kebele levels is an added advantage.
• Evidence of being part of a Development Initiative from Inception to Impact Evaluation and being in position to demonstrate the value add at each stage of the project cycle.
• Knowledge and understanding of how Bi-lateral and Multi-lateral Donor’s work in Ethiopia, as well as the channels through which Development Support is given to Government.
• Experience working across various sectors such as Government, Development Partners, and Cooperatives and how such collaboration translates into concrete Development Outcomes.
• Strong Networking abilities and ensuring that networks translate into sustainable relations for the benefit of the advancement of the Protection and Solutions mandate.
• Excellent Research, Analytical and Reporting skills. Demonstrating how these can translate into compelling positions for advocacy is an added advantage.
• Good Communication and Presentation abilities with effective messaging across various audiences.
• Demonstrable Team building skills and efforts that can translate into concrete initiatives Deep experience in conducting external reviews requiring a clear and compelling level of complex analysis, including the use of graphics and schematic visualizations.
• Excellent knowledge of French and good English, written and spoken. Previous experience in Ethiopia will be valued.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
• CL-Strategy Development and Monitoring, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Strategic Communication, IM-Knowledge Management, MG-Partnership Development, PG-Results-Based Management, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving, SO-Networking, UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR
Competencies
• Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration.
Minimum years of work experience (NOTE: candidates with less years of experience cannot be short-listed or recommended):


LIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
Gambella Sub-office is a non-family duty station. Guesthouses for staff are provided. There are limited banking facilities and limited medical facilities. There are daily commercial flights between Addis Ababa and Gambella. Ethiopia’s topography diversity has resulted in a wide variety of climates in the country. The climate in Gambella is classified as tropical. The hottest season of the region is in March/April; the temperature may rise to 45 °C, followed by a long rainy season. The road network within the region is often affected by heavy rainfall during the rainy season. The average annual temperature in Gambella is 27.6 °C (80°F) . The average annual rainfall is 1148 mm. Due to its conditions, Gambella is a malaria-prone area amongst other tropical diseases. Internet and communications networks are available at the UNHCR compound. Remoteness, isolation and lack of entertainment in social life are factors to be considered before applying.
Security Considerations Gambella is classified as security level - 3. The security situation in the Gambella region has seen a significant deterioration in early 2016, with clashes among ethnic groups. These types of tensions remain up to date, the most recent in June 2022 when armed separatist groups fought with government forces in Gambella town and resulted in heavy casualties. In July 2023, there were increased ethnic based armed attacks and killing particularly in Itang and Gambella town. Armed bandits operating in border districts bordering South Sudan pose security challenges to the local communities and refugees. In addition to the mentioned threat, the newly emerged armed opposition group called Gambella Liberation Front (GLF) poses a high-security threat to the region. GLF is allied with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF shen) and has perpetrated several attacks in and around Gambella. The rebel group does not target humanitarian workers but poses a high threat as it targets government security forces which always work together with humanitarian organisations, including the UN and NGOs. Therefore, the current security situation in the entire Gambella region remains tense and unpredictable. The increase of criminality in Gambella town linked to unemployment and associated violent crime is a constant factor. Police have been reporting housebreaking, violent street robbery and incendiarism-related criminal activities. Restrictions of movement are imposed on the movement of the staff members and the activities in the field, depending on the development of the security situation. Since August 2024, there is new Regional Leadership which is hopeful of strengthening peace in the region. While this is positive, the situation remains fragile and the security setting may remain the same with no major changes according to the current reading of the situation. Curfew time is from 19:00 to 06:00hrs in Gambella. Road accidents are very common in Ethiopia due to dangerous driving, drivers’ skills, and non-enforcement of traffic laws.

 

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Home-Based

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