PBF Secretariat Coordinator [Ouvert aux candidats Internes et Externes]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) is the UN’s principal financial instrument for consolidating peace in countries affected by violent conflict, managed by the Peacebuilding Fund Branch of the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO), on behalf of the Secretary-General and financially administered by the UNDP;s Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) as a global pooled fund.  Since its creation in 2006, Member States have contributed to its financing within the framework of the Strategic Plan 2017-2019 and 2020-2026. The PBF works transversally and supports integrated responses to meet the most urgent needs. It responds quickly and flexibly to political opportunities; and catalyzes processes and resources by demonstrating greater risk tolerance. 

Mali has been a recipient of the PBF since 2014, with more than $90 million allocated to projects in Mali. The PBF portfolio has evolved since 2014, flexibly adapting to the context and aligning with the national peacebuilding priorities. It started with a focus on the implementation in Northern Mali of the 2013 Ouagadougou Preliminary Accord and the 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement, expanding the focus on Central Mali to respond to the spillover of the crisis since 2017. In 2019, the portfolio shifted to prevention in the South and continued stabilization efforts in the Center in 2019. 

The current portfolio includes 8 projects with a total budget of more than $21 million, including two cross-border initiatives (one with Guinea, one with Mauritania and Senegal) and three initiatives funded through the PBF assessed resources for 2025. The current portfolio has a thematic focus on natural resources management, especially land, water and the role of women, peace dividends and socio-economic opportunities for youth and border communities. Two additional initiatives are in the pipeline for an additional $5 million funded through the PBF assessed resources for 2026. A Portfolio Evaluation concluded in early 2025, showing a strong national ownership, positive catalytic effects on Rule of Law initiatives, and positive impact of initiatives on natural resources management and support to local stakeholders and CSOs. 

At the country-level, alignment of the Peacebuilding Fund portfolio with national priorities is ensured by the Joint Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Resident Coordinator and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The UN Resident Coordinator is the lead interlocutor at the country level for the PBF. Therefore, the PBF Secretariat in Mali is established within the Resident Coordinator’s Office. PBF Secretariats are responsible for enhancing coherence of PBF projects at the portfolio level and for supporting the work of country-level Joint Steering Committees.

Position Purpose

The PBF Secretariat Coordinator main mission will be to lead the PBF Secretariat team in delivering its mandate, ensuring the effective governance, accountability and impact of the PBF portfolio in Mali, and effective functioning of the peacebuilding steering committee in Mali. 

S/he will provide technical support to recipient entities and partners, technical and logistical support to the joint steering committee and technical committee ensuring the strategic impact of initiatives. S/he will also ensure the quality and timeliness of the monitoring, evaluation, communication, reporting, and auditing of results of the PBF portfolio in Mali.  S/he will also ensure the communication and visibility of peacebuilding programs, as well as the implementation and follow-up of the recommendations from the evaluation of the PBF portfolio for the period 2019-2024.

S/he will be supervised daily by the RCO Head of Office under the direction of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Mali.   S/he will work closely with the RCO Team and will be indirectly supervised by the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office Program Manager in New York for strategic portfolio management and overall projects performance. 

For administrative purposes, the PBF Secretariat is administered by UNDP on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator and their Office and the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office. The PBF Coordinator will be a staff member of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). There is no formal substantive reporting line of the PBF Secretariat to UNDP in-country, only a Quantum-related reporting line respecting UNDP’s administrative role in the project, which allows the PBF Secretariat project to be managed/implemented.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Manage the PBF Secretariat team to deliver its mandate, with a focus on governance, accountability and impact of the PBF portfolio in Mali

• Supervise the PBF Secretariat team and strengthen their capacities in line with the team mandate, for example in the fields of peacebuilding, conflict-sensitivity, gender-mainstreaming, M&E etc;
• Facilitate quality assurance processes for the allocation of resources and the management of the portfolio, ensuring compliance with PBF guidelines, in particular for reports and products developed by the recipient partners;
• Coordinate the overall management of the PBF portfolio, in coordination with the recipient organizations, the UN System in Mali, national stakeholders, civil society organizations and non-UN partners;
• Contribute to relevant reports/documents of the Office of the Resident Coordinator related to peacebuilding (Annual Strategic Report to PBF, UNSCDF report, CCA etc) 
• Coordinate the knowledge capitalization process in relevant thematic areas, and document lessons learned, experiences and good practices from the PBF portfolio that could be useful for the design and implementation of similar initiatives, for organizational and external sharing and learning.

2) Support the functioning of the PBF Joint Steering Committee for strategic supervision and quality control of the PBF portfolio in Mali

• Support the Joint Steering Committee with secretarial tasks to facilitate inclusive decision-making, including the organization of meetings and field visits, preparation of working papers, drafting of reports and sharing of relevant documents;
• Monitor and disseminate decisions and recommendations made by the Joint Steering Committee, and portfolio evaluators, to ensure accountability and prioritization for the use of PBF resources;
• Ensure early warning and advice on solutions to the Joint Steering Committee, the Resident Coordinator, the implementing partners and the PBF of risks, delays and problems related to the implementation of the PBF portfolio;
• Liaise with the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office for the preparation and follow-up of the Joint Steering Committee meetings.

3) Ensure the mobilization or resources and partnerships for the sustainability of the PBF portfolio in Mali and facilitate knowledge sharing

• Ensure visibility and dissemination of the PBF portfolio results and impact to mobilise new resources and partners;
• Collaborate with the RCO team for conflict analysis to guide national and cross-border programming and suggest entry points for mobilization of resources and partnerships;
• Communicate progress on the peacebuilding priorities to national authorities and technical and financial partners in order to encourage additional funding and to ensure sustainability of the results;
• Contribute to inclusive partnerships for peacebuilding in Mali, including national and local stakeholders such as private sector and civil society, as well as international partners and financial institutions.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  

Supervise the staff of the PBF Secretariat in Mali and coordinate the peacebuilding portfolio

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results -LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
Think Innovatively -LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
Learn Continuously -LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility -LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
Act with Determination -LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner -LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion -LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy -System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Management -Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing the outcome. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio
management
Business Management -Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Development -Knowledge Generation:  Ability to research information and to turn it into
useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
Partnership Management -Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and
private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
2030 Agenda: People -Gender: Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation
2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness -Effectiveness: RBM standards and practices for programming.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Human Sciences, Law, or relevant related field is required. Or

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree 

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) in coordinating projects and/or activities at the national or regional levels, preferably in the area of peacebuilding, governance and/or conflict prevention is required. 
• Experience and excellent knowledge of the national and sub-regional socio-political environment and context, in particular in the areas of peacebuilding, governance and/or conflict prevention are required.
• Proven expertise in developing conflict analysis and conflict sensitive programs, and providing coaching and technical support in relevant areas, such as peacebuilding, conflict-sensitivity, gender-mainstreaming, M&E  etc is desired.
• Experience of coordinating multi-stakeholder processes, ensuring inclusion of diverse stakeholders such as the private sector and civil society organizations is desired.
• Proven leadership in the coordination of inter-agency activities in the United Nations system is desired.
• Proven capacity in the areas of financial management and resource mobilization is desirable.
• Experience and knowledge of the United Nations and its working practices, as well as its ongoing reforms will constitute an advantage.
• Proven track record of excellent oral and written communication skills with high-level interlocutors, particularly in the coordination of governmental and international organizations is desired.
• Proven track record of sound understanding of the concepts of human rights, gender, strengthening the role of women and young people in the peacebuilding process is desirable;
• Experience and knowledge of PBF procedures is advantageous.
• Experience and knowledge of peacebuilding issues in Mali and prior experience in the region would be an asset.

Language requierements:

Fluency in French language and English are required

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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