Nexus Regional Coordinator | Jijiga

Since 2004, the United Nations Development Programme and the UN Department of Political Affairs have partnered to strengthen support to the UN’s work in building national capacities for conflict prevention. Often, such support is extended through the deployment of Peace and Development Advisors (or PDAs), a growing cadre of UN staff who support Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, adapt and respond to complex political situations and to develop and implement strategic conflict prevention initiatives and programmes. PDAs wear two ‘hats’: focussing primarily on strategic guidance and implementation of conflict prevention initiatives that involve national counterparts from government and civil society, while also supporting RCs through political and conflict analysis and the UNCT design and implement conflict-sensitive programming

The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) in Ethiopia is supporting the operationalization of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus, an approach to integrate and align efforts across humanitarian, development, and peace actors to address the root causes of vulnerability, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainable development. These efforts are undertaken under the leadership and guidance of the Government of Ethiopia and in alignment with national and regional development plans and priorities.

To support this initiative, the UNRCO seeks a skilled UN Volunteer (UNV) to support the development and operationalization of the nexus approach. The Regional Nexus Coordinator will play a vital role in connecting national and sub-national nexus efforts, reinforcing the coherence and impact of the nexus approach throughout the country. The position is based in the field, with extensive travel expected between areas of operation and Addis Ababa.

The Regional Nexus Coordinator will work directly with regional nexus coordination groups, local authorities, UN agencies, NGO partners, and community members. The Coordinator will provide essential support to regional nexus coordination systems, assisting in the development and coordination of regional operational action plans, and supporting the collection, consolidation, and analysis of data on needs, gaps, and interventions. The Coordinator will also support the strengthening of regional government capacities to coordinate development, humanitarian, and peace initiatives by the UN and partners on the ground, ensuring that these efforts address the root causes of humanitarian needs, reinforce peace, and support national development priorities while strengthening resilience and self-reliance.

The Coordinator will act as a liaison between local and national levels, ensuring that regional nexus initiatives are contextually relevant, effectively implemented, peace-oriented, and aligned with the Government of Ethiopia’s leadership and priorities.
The Regional Nexus Coordinator will report directly to the Nexus Advisor and work closely with regional stakeholders. The Coordinator will facilitate meetings, play a central secretariat function role at both regional and national levels, provide technical support, manage data, report on progress, and ensure the continuous flow of information between regional and national levels.

Under the direct supervision of the Nexus Advisor, the Regional Nexus Coordinator will perform the following functions:

Support to Regional Nexus Coordination

• Support regional authorities and nexus partners in leading the operationalization of the nexus approach in the region, ensuring alignment with national and regional
development plans and priorities under the leadership and guidance of the Government of Ethiopia.
• Strengthen the capacities of regional governments to coordinate development, humanitarian, and peace initiatives by the UN and partners on the ground, ensuring that
these efforts address the root causes of humanitarian needs, reinforce peace, and support national development priorities while strengthening resilience and self-
reliance.
• Attend and support the organization of nexus coordination meetings at local and national levels, including providing secretariat functions for the regional nexus
coordination systems (e.g., drafting meeting minutes).
• Support regional coordination groups in reporting and data analysis functions, including data collection, analysis, and the consolidation of assessments and surveys.
• Participate in the development of regional nexus operational action plans and support the nexus coordination function of the groups.
• Ensure constant information flow between the regional and national levels, keeping the Nexus Advisor and relevant stakeholders updated on developments at the
regional level.
• Ensure tools, templates, and guidance developed at the national level are correctly used at the regional level and harmonized between regions.
• Facilitate collaboration between regional and national stakeholders to ensure that nexus initiatives are contextually relevant and aligned with the Government of
Ethiopia’s priorities.

Data Management, Analysis, and Reporting

• Assist in developing databases, analysis documents, maps, and visualizations to strengthen nexus system planning, prioritization, and collective reporting.
• Collect, consolidate, and organize datasets from various sources, such as UN agencies, government, and NGOs, ensuring alignment with national and regional
priorities.
• Conduct basic spatial and statistical analysis to support evidence-based decisions for nexus prioritization and collective reporting.
• Conduct data quality checks to maintain data integrity, following UNRCO standards.
• Assist in creating resources for field staff and partners to ensure consistent data collection and reporting.
• Support the preparation of reports, maps, and visualizations for internal and external use, ensuring alignment with the Government of Ethiopia’s development priorities.
• Document workflows and data sources for continuity and transparency.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing by developing summaries and lessons learned from nexus initiatives.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Nexus Advisor, ensuring that all activities are aligned with the leadership and guidance of the Government of Ethiopia and its
national and regional development plans.