Conflict Analyst

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) is an operational arm of the United Nations that supports the implementation of projects and programs in various sectors. Established to provide project management and operational support to UN agencies and other partners, UNOPS has a mission to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. The organization operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of personnel who work on a wide range of projects, from infrastructure development to humanitarian assistance. UNOPS aims to deliver high-quality services that meet the needs of its partners while ensuring cost-effectiveness and efficiency in project implementation.

Job Overview:
The Conflict Analyst position at UNOPS in Thailand is a critical role that involves monitoring and analyzing political and conflict dynamics in the Southeast Asia and Pacific regions. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Fund Director and is expected to engage actively with other team members to support program activities. The role requires the collection of primary data to monitor developments in political and armed conflict contexts, providing contextual analysis to inform decision-making and political positioning related to UNOPS programming. The Conflict Analyst will also be responsible for drafting analytical reports, engaging with stakeholders, and supporting program evaluations, all while ensuring that gender and conflict sensitivity are integrated into operations. This position is essential for maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the regional landscape and contributing to effective program implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Conflict Analyst include:

• Political and Conflict Analysis: - Collecting primary data to monitor political and armed conflict developments daily. - Providing contextual analysis to inform decision-making and political positioning. - Drafting weekly, monthly, and ad hoc analytical context updates. - Monitoring news sources and social media for relevant updates. - Assessing the quality and credibility of information for analysis and reporting.
• Stakeholder Engagement: - Establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to gather insights. - Supporting senior leadership with stakeholder engagement through data and analysis. - Providing guidance on program engagements with stakeholders.
• Analytical Programme Support: - Participating in program appraisals, studies, and evaluations. - Reviewing project outputs from implementing partners. - Supporting the integration of gender, conflict sensitivity, and risk management across operations.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Conflict Analyst position include: - A Master’s Degree in political science, peace and conflict studies, or a relevant social sciences discipline. - Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's Degree) combined with two additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted. - A minimum of two years of professional experience in an international institution, donor agency, NGO, or INGO focused on context analysis, public policy, or political research. - At least two years of experience working in/on Myanmar is required. - A sound understanding of regional conflict and political contexts, along with the associated stakeholder landscape, is essential. - Proven capacity to write analytical reports on political dynamics is required, and experience in applying analysis to programming relevant to UNOPS’ mandate is highly preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Conflict Analyst position includes a Master’s Degree in political science, peace and conflict studies, or other relevant social sciences disciplines. Candidates with a Bachelor's Degree and two additional years of relevant experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of political and conflict analysis in the context of UNOPS operations.

Experience:
Candidates for the Conflict Analyst position should have a minimum of two years of professional experience in relevant fields such as context analysis, public policy, or political research. Experience specifically related to Myanmar is required, along with a demonstrated understanding of regional conflict and political contexts. The ability to produce clear and analytical reports on political dynamics is essential, as is experience in integrating gender and conflict sensitivity into program activities.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for the Conflict Analyst position. Additionally, fluency in Burmese is highly desirable, and knowledge of Thai or any Myanmar minority ethnic languages is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages will enhance the ability to engage with stakeholders and analyze regional dynamics effectively.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered under an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) at the IICA-1 (ICS-9) level. The contract duration is open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, and all applications will be evaluated based on skills, qualifications, and experience. Candidates are encouraged to inform the human resources team if they require assistance during the assessment process. The position is stationed in Bangkok, Thailand, which is designated as a family duty station. UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than advertised, and all personnel are expected to adhere to UN policies and demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals.