As a result of the protracted political crisis affecting the country since 2009 and entrenched poor governance, the social and economic situation of Madagascar has steadily worsened. With an additional 4 million poor people to the most vulnerable segments of the population since the crisis began, over 80% of the population now lives below the poverty line. The country is unlikely to achieve any of the MDGs by 2015. Madagascar is currently one of the poorest countries in the world and income per capita barely reaches US$ 450 per year.
Madagascar has recently held presidential and parliamentary elections, with the support of UNDP and the international community, which have been judged by international observers as credible and transparent. The election of the new President, Hery Rajaonarimampianina raises considerable expectations in terms of political stabilization, national reconciliation and improvement of governance practices.
Contrary to some of its African neighbours, Madagascar does not suffer from open armed conflicts. However, the recurrence of serious political crises (1972, 1991, 2002, 2009) shows the existence of deep cleavages and tensions. These include competition over natural resources, pressure over land, the unmatched power of the presidency, weakness of checks and balances, limited accountability mechanisms and institutions, a polarized society, the political role of the armed forces, insecurity in the South and extreme urban poverty, among others.
Against this backdrop, Madagascar’s fragile post-crisis situation is a source of concern and requires close analysis and monitoring in order to prevent the country from relapsing into open crisis, which would have inestimable social and economic cost on a strained population. United Nations assistance is therefore crucial to help prevent potential conflicts and to consolidate peace. Such assistance would translate on one hand into specific reconciliation and peace-building activities, and on the other hand into mainstreaming conflict-sensitivity throughout all UNDP and UN programmes.
In this context, one of the three outcomes of the new UNDAF, recently finalized, precisely aims at contributing to appeased and pacified governance, while reconciliation remains as a main pillar. A Conflict and Development Analysis (CDA) was recently finalized, building on a Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment. Similarly, as recommended by the UN Secretary-General, AU, EU, SADC and other international partners in their statements following the December 2013 elections, the new Malagasy authorities have repeatedly and publicly committed to making national reconciliation and peace-building a key priority. The UN Secretary General met with President Hery Rajaonarimampianina and stressed the need for pursuing political reconciliation and inclusive policies and reforms that would deepen democratic and accountable governance, respect human rights and promote equitable economic recovery. He indicated the readiness of the United Nations to support Madagascar towards meeting its governance and development objectives.
UNDP Madagascar’s approach to peace-building is twofold. On the one hand, peace-building and conflict sensitivity are mainstreamed throughout UNDP programmes and activities. On the other hand, that a specific output of the governance programme is dedicated to supporting the national reconciliation process through strengthening the Council for the Malagasy Reconciliation, the Special Commission for Amnesty of the Supreme Court and national mechanisms to prevent election-related violence, among others.
The Madagascar country office therefore invites highly qualified candidates with proven experience in peace and development to apply for the present position whose main duties are described below.
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