Mediation and Technical Support Specialist - Home Based (70% Part time) (Open to external applicants)

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

UNDP works in some 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. 

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work, carried out at HQ, Regional, and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. 

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing UNDP’s corporate policies and guidance in support of the organization’s Strategic Plan. Together with the Crisis Bureau, BPPS forms the Global Policy Network (GPN), which connects countries to global expertise, knowledge, and best practices to achieve sustainable development results.

Within BPPS, the Effectiveness Group oversees key programming policies, including UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES), which are supported by an Accountability Mechanism composed of the Stakeholder Response Mechanism (SRM) and the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU). The Stakeholder Response Mechanism ensures that concerns related to the social and environmental impacts of UNDP-supported projects are addressed in a systematic, transparent, and timely manner. The Mediation and Technical Support Specialist will work in support of the SRM Lead Advisor, contributing to the effective implementation of the SRM and related accountability processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Mediation and Technical Support Specialist will be responsible for the performance of the following duties and responsibilities: 

Lead Mediation, Facilitation and Dispute Resolution

•  In collaboration with SECU advise complainants in a comprehensive manner on the different avenues of grievance redress available to them (SRM/SECU) and provide a comprehensive overview over the SRM process. 
• Provide mediation, facilitation and dispute resolution  services on behalf of UNDPs Corporate SRM (SRM) and at the request of SRMs lead advisor. 
• Identify, recruit and manage mediators and/or third party neutral consultants contracted by SRM to mediate complaints
• Monitor implementation of mediation outcomes
• Ensure SRM public case registry is regularly updated
• Provide routine case update reports to SRMs Lead Advisor and in terms of any agree reporting protocol
• Maintain strict neutrality, impartiality and confidentiality, in accordance with UN/ UNDP standards and professional mediation ethics.
• Comply with all relevant SRM reporting requirements 

Provide Technical Support to SRM Lead Advisor

• As requested by SRMs Lead Advisor, provide technical support regarding SRMs participation in IAMnetwork, and the UNAMnet
• Colloborate with the SRMs Lead Advisor in identifying and implementing an appropriate system for recruiting local mediators across the globe to support the work of SRM
• Contribute to  any policy review process, ensuring contemporary accountability themes and principles are enshrined in any policy developments
• Ensure cutting edge mediation and dispute resolution techniques are deployed by SRM, including consideration of other mediation units within the UN system

Facilitate Capacity Building and Knowledge