Durable Solutions and Stabilization Specialist [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 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

The Government of Iraq and the international community have recognized the need to end protracted displacement and collectively support Durable Solutions (DS) for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)s, returnees, and their host communities. The protracted, successive and complex crisis in Iraq has forced the international community to rethink its engagement in the country, while the broader Iraq context has provided a unique opportunity to improve partnership with the Government in finding DS for IDPs. Significant progress has been made by the Government, with 21,343 Iraqi nationals having returned from Al-Hol camp and other locations in Northeast Syria. Of these, 14,540 individuals have completed rehabilitation at Al-Amal Rehabilitation Centre and returned to their areas of origin. The Government notes that the final registered group of approximately 600 individuals is currently awaiting final clearance for repatriation.

With the conclusion of the UNAMI mandate and the phased closure of OCHA and the drawdown of the humanitarian coordination architecture in Iraq, the UN country team is entering a structurally different phase of engagemen. The transition from a humanitarian led response to development and stabilization oriented models require sustained system level coordination, policical economy analysis and strategic advisory support to ensure that the residual humanitarian caseload are not left unaddressed. In this evolving landscape, durable solutuons are no longer framed solely as a displacement issue but as a core pillar of national stabilization, social cohesion and inclusive development agenda. 

In this context, The approach adopted in the process recognizes the fact that working towards DS means gradually addressing socio-economic needs and decreasing vulnerabilities of displacement affected communities, while strengthening national capacities, skills and resilience. Through returns, local integration or resettlement elsewhere, IDPs should eventually be socially and economically integrated - and not stigmatised nor discriminated based on their IDPs status. They should be able to live a life of dignity, prosperity and wellbeing like any other citizen of Iraq. This strategy reflects the concept of durable solutions as defined by the international community[1] [link removed] and is also in line with efforts of the Government of Iraq to move away from the provision of humanitarian assistance to more long-term, and sustainable programmes, while fully factoring climate response to mitigate and/or pre-empt climate-induced displacement. It also takes into consideration that, among the displaced, not all will return to their places of origin due to a wide range of factors including both material, security and socio-political considerations. This approach is encompassing the needs of different displacement forms, both inside Iraq and in the neighbouring countries. The UN has elaborated a 2-year One UN Plan for return, rehabilitation and reintegration of returnees from Al Hol which has been endorsed and launched by the Government. Further more the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) also support comprehensive reintegration of returnees from Al Hol and durable solution to internal displacement.

While important institutional foundations have been established since 2019, progress towards durable solutions has slowed since 2024, with return rates declining further in 2025 and remaining displacement increasingly concentrated among the most vulnerable and hard-to-resolve caseloads. In response, the United Nations and the Government of Iraq have launched a new UNSDCF (2025–2029), alongside a recent stocktake against the Durable Solutions Roadmap to guide renewed prioritization, stronger national ownership, and a reinvigoration of coordination structures in 2026 to accelerate system-level solutions. 

The Durable Solutions and Stabilization Specialist will have to support multi-stakeholder engagement and advocacy efforts towards e.g.  authorities, at national and especially at Governorate level, the International Community including INGOs, donors,  the corporate sector and the relevant UN coordination mechanisms.

The deployment will ensure the DS Stabilization Specialist supports the RC. UNDP RR, the Durable Solutions Task Force, the One UN Plan Steering Committee, Peacebuilding Fund Steering Committee, Internal Displacement Solutions Fund secretariate , and other emerging coordination structures relating to displacement, durable solutions and stabilization in Iraq, partners and communities on durable solutions and displacement programming and delivery.

It is planned that the Durable Solution and Stabilization Specialist will be outposted in the RC Office in Baghdad, while working closely with the UNDP CO. He/she will participate in field visits and international travel as often as necessary and subject to RC/UNDP RR needs or approved work plans.  

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative, and in strategic partnership with the Resident Coordinator, and diect supervision of the Team Leader Social Cohesion, the Durable Solutions and Stabilization Specialist will serve as the principal system-level advisor on internal displacement, stabilization, and reintegration policy. The position will provide substantive strategic advice to UNDP senior management and the RC/UNCT on integrating durable solutions into development, peacebuilding, and governance programming under the UNSDCF and other relevant pilot projects.

The Specialist will operate at the nexus of political analysis, programme design, resource mobilization, and intergovernmental coordination, ensuring that displacement-sensitive approaches are embedded across the UNCT and UNDP portfolios and broader UN system engagement in Iraq.

The Durable Solutions and Stabilization Specialist will support the UN Programme Management (PMT) and UN Country Teams (UNCT) and relevant coordination bodies, such as the Federal-Level Durable Task Force and Durable Solutions Technical Working Group, as well as other displacement-related platforms (including and not exclusive to One UN Plan Steering Committee, Sinjar Taskforce, and other relevant coordination structures specific to displacement, durable solutions and stabilization) to promote and advance the implementation of durable solutions’ programmes and activities, closely linked to the HDP Nexus and resilience framework, as well as to reinforce efforts to mobilise necessary financial resources contributing to the sustainable improvement of conditions of displaced communities in Iraq. 

The Durable Solutions and Stabilization Specialist will offer advice and coordinate efforts with the technical working group to ensure the ONE UN is clearly reflecting emerging needs and gaps. The position holder will be the prime focal point from the resident coordinator office to coordinate with the UNCT in supporting the government of Iraq on the return of Iraqi nationals from al Hol camp and other places in northeast Syria under the framework of the One UN Plan for 2025-27.  

More specifically, the Durable Solutions and Stabilization Specialist will:

• Assist and advise the DSRSG/RC/HC in coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the UN durable solutions strategy and One UN Plan and strategically advice the UN system on the durable solutions components as outlined in the UNSDCF 2025 – 2030, particularly on the shift from humanitarian response to system level developmental solutions to internal displacement and inclusion of IDPs in government led developmental programme. 
• Act as a primary focal point for the DS and Al Hol-related Coordination Architecture which bridges the nexus between Humanitarian and Development actors into one coherent approach to ending protracted displacement for Iraqis displaced in the country and returnees from northeast Syria.
• Lead the UN effort for drafting and developing approaches to addressing displacement for Yazidi population in Sinjar, in coordination with relevant UN agencies and close coordination with the Kurdistan regional Government and the Federal Authorities of relevance including the Sinjar Area Based Programme.
• Develop annual plans, periodic updates, and annual reports on the DS Action Plan and in general ensure that a practice of monitoring and review is developed amongst all DS actors that allows for adjustment and improvement of approaches based on lessons learned and evidence collected.
• Prepare and maintain a multi-stakeholder engagement and advocacy map to continuously bring DS actors together into a community of practice, where information and knowledge is shared.
• Carry direct advocacy with the government of Iraq and national stakeholders for the inclusion of policy and provision allocation for solutions to internal displacement. 
• Overall support to the resident coordinator on matter of relevance to durable solutions and displacement, such as strategic advice and coordination on behalf of the Resident Coordinator’s office on the coordination and implementation of the ONE UN Plan for the returns from Al Hol. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across  interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions,  teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Advise and Support the development of UN programmes and activities promoting durable solutions closely linked to HDP Nexus/resilience in Iraq as well as the Al Hol Returns. Make sounds contributions to Knowledge Management 

• Provide advice and coordination to support the UNCT in ensuring better synergies between Durable Solutions’ efforts and humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actions, and for implementing the One UN Plan for returns from Al Hol. 
• Provide substantive advisory support to UNDP Resident Representative and senior management on integrating durable solutions and stabilization considerations into UNDP country programme portfolios.
• Support UNDP as the lead development actor in post-humanitarian transition contexts, including by shaping policy dialogue with federal and regional authorities on development-oriented approaches to ending displacement.
• Provide political economy analysis and policy recommendations to RC/HC and UNDP RR, UNCT to inform programming in fragile and contested areas of operations, particularly on Sinjar and blocked areas, to ensuring conflict sensitivity and alignment with stabilization objectives.
• Act as the RCO’s key focal point on internal displacement, durable solutions linking to HDP Nexus and resilience framework. 
• Act as the UNCT focal point to the Global Al Hol Taskforce and support the RC in his duties as assigned by USG Guy Rayder on Iraq support to the government of Iraq on the Al Hol returns. 
• Contribute to the inclusion of DS approach into the development of a shared vision and roadmap for operationalizing the HDP nexus in Iraq among the UN and its partners. This includes the development of a specialized and focused approach to Sinjar and the Yazidi displacement issue.
• The UNDP DS Specialist will facilitate the work of the DS architecture and other entities as outlined in the UNSDCF (including the ABCs) and coordinate/facilitate meetings, agenda preparation, note taking and other tasks requested by the DSRSG/RC/HC.
• The Specialist will support agencies and the durable solutions task force (DSTF) - which provides strategic oversight, strategic advice, and coherence - to develop annual plans, periodic updates and annual reports on the DS Action Plan and in general ensure that a practice of monitoring and review is developed amongst all DS actors that allows for adjustment and improvement of approaches based on lessons learned and evidence collected. This includes comprehensive consultation on the revised ToR of the DSTF and its inclusion in the UNSDCF.
• Facilitate the identification of technical gaps and relevant technical resources to fill identified needs, in close coordination with partners. Participate in outreach and training as relevant and needed.
• Lead and facilitate the implementation of recommendations in Iraq of the HLPD/SG Action Agenda’s recommendations, liaising with relevant structures in HQ Geneva and NYC. 
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. The Durable Solutions Specialist will play a crucial role in fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the organization and among partners. This includes developing and implementing mechanisms for capturing and disseminating best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to durable solutions. The Specialist will facilitate workshops, training sessions, and collaborative platforms that encourage dialogue and exchange of ideas among stakeholders. By promoting knowledge sharing, the Specialist will contribute to enhancing the overall effectiveness of UNDP's initiatives and ensure that experiences and insights are leveraged to inform future programming and policy development.

Advise and support the resource mobilization efforts to fund durable solutions programmes and activities and, providing the context is appropriate.

• Advise the RC/HC in relation to ongoing high-level resource mobilization efforts with the donor community  and possibly funding from the Government as well as private sector to obtain necessary funding to initiate new programmes and activities for durable solutions to displaced communities, including by preparing donor briefs and talking points. 
• Support and lead as necessary a system wide strategic positioning, conceptualization and proposals for catalytic financing mechanisms linked to durable solutions and stabilization, including the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF), and potential blended financing instruments in coordination with relevant entities such as the world bank and the EU. 
• Support the drafting and write up of high-value funding proposals (including multi-million-dollar submissions) to global financing instruments and bilateral donors, ensuring strategic coherence with UN system wide priorities for Iraq. 
• Lead inter-agency efforts at technical level for partnership and resource mobilization to expand the support for DS related programmes and activities and for the fund, in close coordination with the technical-level Iraq Durable Solutions Mechanism, Regional DS Working Groups in close collaboration with the RCO Partnership and Development Financing Officer. 
• In close consultation with the Federal Government and Regional Governments when and where appropriate, as well as donors, UN and NGO partners, and the Multi Partner Trust Fund Office in New York, lead conceptual work to establish the fund, including finalizing key documents (terms of reference, operation manual, etc.) of the fund, including providing technical inputs in related documentation around the DS plan to enhance liaison and engagement between Government of Iraq/Kurdish Regional Government and the UN on protracted displacement.
• Support the UNCT in designing an area-based programme to advance long-term development in Sinjar beyond stabilization efforts, including the conduct of an integrated recovery and peacebuilding assessment.
• Provide strategic advisory support to the UNCT and Government counterparts in shaping and coordinating the implementation of key pooled financing instruments, including the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF), ensuring alignment with the UNSDCF.

Advise and Support DS and displacement advocacy and information exchange between key stakeholders, including government counterparts, private sector, civil society/academia and the donor community. 

• Advise and support the UNCT in establishing and maintaining a network of key stakeholders to promote their active participation in operationalizing the Durable Solutions Initiative, through engagement in the Federal and Regional Durable Solutions Working Groups. 
• Update and disseminate DS information whenever relevant and necessary, advise and facilitate existing or future coordination mechanisms (e.g. any coordination structure based on transition and collective outcomes that may be established between Humanitarian-Development-Peace actors). 
• The Specialist is expected to represent UNDP and/or the RC in high-level national and international engagements related to durable solutions and stabilization, as delegated.
• Ensure close coordination and structured collaboration with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau at regional level in the development, review, and refinement of strategic working documents, policy frameworks, guidance notes, and programme designs related to durable solutions, stabilization, and post-crisis recovery.
• Coordinate with and ensure synergy with activities delivered under the other components of Building Peace and Stability in Iraq (BPSI) through Un Ponte Per  I and IOM, e.g. attending BPSI-funded conferences/policy dialogues, amplifying messaging from advocacy activities
• Support and facilitate cooperation with and advocacy towards relevant senior government officials both at the Governorate and Federal levels, (the GRC and Ministry of Migration and Displacement, for instance). The final objective would be to have the Government lead the DS work (including local integration and resettlement elsewhere in the country), with the support of the international community, and a strong involvement of the IDPs and their communities.  
• Contribute to relevant policy dialogue in line with the UNSDCF. 

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: None

Competencies

• Core Competencies: 

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.

• Cross Functional and  Technical Competencies:

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.

Communication - Advocacy Strategy & Implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to  impactful change.

Business Direction & Strategy - Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment 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, prioritise and control the  organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. 
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. 
• Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management. 

2030 Agenda: Prosperity - Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility:

• Stabilization

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences (International Development, International Relations etc.), Law (International Law, IHL, etc.), or a 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 the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with master's degree) or 9 years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in international development, project design, project management, project implementation, post-conflict rehabilitation, including concrete experience in the area of Durable Solutions is required.
• Experience and strong knowledge of durable solutions frameworks, including the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee) Framework on Durable Solutions for IDPs and the 2011 SG Policy Committee Decision on durable solutions is an asset. 
• Prior relevant experience in project/programme coordination is desirable.
• Experience working within in an inter-agency setting (UN, NGOs, donor community, authorities, IDPs, civil society) is desired.
• Experience and good understanding of the humanitarian and development agencies mandates, and the country policy/programming architecture as well as the related documents is an asset (HRP, UNSDCF, Durable Solutions Plan) is desired.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
• Experience in post-conflict rehabilitation and durable solutions frameworks is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Working Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

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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