Guinea-Bissau is facing recurring instability that is threatening its socio-economic development. The United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office (UNIOGBIS) is working to promote dialogue as the primary tool to resolve the ongoing instability along a strategy that envisions short to medium term stabilization through high level dialogue and good offices and longer term conflict resolution through a national dialogue process that addresses root causes of instability in the country and that brings broader segments of Bissau-Guineans into the political conversation. In this connection, and following the elections in 2014, the National Assembly (ANP) appointed a new Organising Commission to re-launch the parliamentary national conference “Paths to peace and development” subtitled “Causes, consequences and resolution of conflicts in Guinea-Bissau”. The organising Commission was sworn-in on 18 May 2015 and is composed of 34 representatives of all parliamentary political parties, the representatives of sovereign organs of the state, ministries of defence and interior, civil society organisations and National Assembly staff, who are part of the Commission’s technical support. The chairperson and the vice chairs are drawn from the religious community of Guinea-Bissau.
The Organizing Commission (COCN) has defined a roadmap for the organisation of the National Conference which identifies the following activities: the development of a two-pronged communications strategy to mobilize support to and engagement in the national dialogue process of with the sovereignty organs and public opinion, the capitalization of previous work by the previous Commission and other relevant dialogue initiatives in a consolidated report that will then be taken through a validation process through grass-roots consultations and once finalized presented to the National Conference. The National Conference has not been scheduled and in order to keep the momentum and elevate the national dialogue agenda to the national level, the COCN is planning to organize a symposium 27-30 January 2017 entitled “NÓ NFRENTA PASADO PA NÔ KUMPU GUINÉ-BISSAU DI AMANHÔ (We face the past to build the Guinea-Bissau of the future).
The Scope of the Consultancy
UNIOGBIS is seeking an international consultant on transitional justice to hold a one day training of the Commission before the symposium and then participate in the symposium itself to deliver a speech on transitional justice principles and practice (details of training and speech to be developed by the consultant in collaboration with UNIOGBIS and the COCN).The specific objectives of the consultancy will be as follows:
- Develop a two-day training program on transitional justice and hold training
- Consult and work closely with the Organizing Commission for National Dialogue and UNIOGBIS to develop speech for symposium, in Portuguese
- Participate in symposium and help moderate and facilitate group work
- Develop policy paper on transitional justice in Guinea-Bissau
Outputs
- Training in transitional justice, speech and symposium participation Topics under discussion should include truth and reconciliation commissions; justice mechanisms, including hybrid courts and commissions of inquiry; memorialization and reparation schemes.
- Research and write an options paper on transitional justice solutions for Guinea-Bissau so that it can be considered among the materials the COCN can take into account when presenting the topics for discussion and different options at the National Conference. The paper will clearly identify positive and negative factors that can influence the impact of TJ policy and wider transformation in Guinea-Bissau, with an emphasis on political factors and costs. The document will have to be presented in English and Portuguese to UNIOGBIS Political Affairs Section within 20 days from the consultant’s departure from Bissau.
Other
The international consultant will work closely with the UN system in Guinea-Bissau and under the direct supervision and guidance of the Political Affairs Section of UNIOGBIS.
Qualifications
University degree in political science, development science, or combination of professional training, certification and experience in advisory skills. Training in transitional justice at the masters or, preferably, PHD level.
Work experience
At least 5 years of relevant work or academic experience in transitional justice processes.
Knowledge about Guinea-Bissau historical and political intricacies and current political situation is an advantage;
The candidate must have good communication skills;
Languages
Fluency in oral and written English and Portuguese. Spoken Guinea-Bissau creole can replace Portuguese requirement.
Other skills
Good oral and written communication skills; computer skills; team work. Experience within the UN system would be advantage.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send CV’s, Educational and work proof and Reference documentation directly to reksten@un.org; gomez-orodea@un.org and evorae@un.org
