This position is located in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). The Special Assistant will be based in Kinshasa and reports directly to the Mission Chief of Staff (MCOS).
Within delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties:
- Provide substantive and practical support to MCOS in ensuring integrated and coherent functioning of the pillars, through effective direction and management, in accordance with the mission’s mandate and Head of Mission's instructions;
- Collaborate closely with the different substantive components working on the thematic areas of political affairs, protection of civilians, civil affairs, human rights, rule of law, DDR, security sector reform, and public information and ensure that material and advice shared with the COS reflect the various dimensions of the Mission's work;
- Keep the MCOS informed on all matters requiring her attention and that of the Mission Senior Leadership Team;
- Assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed.
- Assist the MCOS with the drafting, coordination and preparation of a range of written materials, including but not limited to briefing notes, notes to file, code cables, Note Verbales, SG reports, analysis , memoranda, situation reports, political briefs, analytical reports, Mission policies, standard operating procedures, guidelines and related documents in cross-cutting areas with other Mission components and support the COS in overseeing or in supporting their implementation or compliance, as appropriate.
- Perform general quality control for the O/COS correspondence and documents.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with Mission components, national authorities, the broader UN family, donors and other national and international partners on policy, management, operational and coordination matters;
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships within the UN system as well as with external partners and support the identification of potential areas for collaboration and coordination;
- Further support the coordination of actions related to the transition towards the United Nations agency-led commitment, depending on the mission's mandate and the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Assist in formulating and managing the implementation of the Mission's programme of work and provide support to information and knowledge management, planning and leadership decision-making processes.
- Plan, Organize, and manage official visits, conferences, seminars of the MCOS and the substantive aspects of MCOS’ meetings, field visits and MONUSCO events, as required while also preparing background notes, talking points, written summaries, and conducting follow-up activities, as appropriate;
- Identify, analyze and monitor developments and emerging issues and trends that might affect the Mission's mandate, operations and management; Assess implications and, in consultation with pillar components, make recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives; Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation;
- Perform other relevant duties as requested by MCOS.
Professionalism: Proven capacity to work under pressure and delivering within tight deadlines. Ability to respond expeditiously to diverse requests from multiple stakeholders and to set priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocatesappropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Teamwork: Collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals: solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Communication:Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors' language, tone, style and format to match audience; and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or related fields. A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field is required.
Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice, and reporting is required.
Experience in developing and supporting the coordination and integration of partnerships in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization or non- governmental organization is required.
Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization or non- governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.
Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official and/or as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior official is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French and English is required.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
Aux termes du paragraphe 3 de l’Article 101 de la Charte des Nations Unies, la considération dominante dans le recrutement du personnel doit être la nécessité d’assurer à l’Organisation les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. Ne seront pas retenues les candidatures des personnes qui ont commis des violations du droit international des droits de l’homme, des violations du droit international humanitaire, des actes d’exploitation, d’atteintes ou de harcèlement sexuels, ou au sujet desquelles il existe des raisons plausibles de croire qu’elles ont été impliquées dans la commission de tels actes. L’expression « exploitation sexuelle » désigne le fait d’abuser ou de tenter d’abuser d’un état de vulnérabilité, d’un rapport de force inégal ou de rapports de confiance à des fins sexuelles, y compris mais non exclusivement en vue d’en tirer un avantage pécuniaire, social ou politique. On entend par « atteinte sexuelle » toute atteinte physique de nature sexuelle commise par la force, sous la contrainte ou à la faveur d’un rapport inégal, ou la menace d’une telle atteinte. Le harcèlement sexuel s'entend de tout comportement déplacé à connotation sexuelle raisonnablement propre ou de nature à choquer ou humilier, lorsqu'il entrave la bonne marche du service, est présenté comme une condition d'emploi ou crée au lieu de travail un climat d'intimidation, d'hostilité ou de vexation, et lorsque ce comportement est assez grave pour justifier le licenciement de son auteur. La candidature de personnes qui ont commis des infractions autres que des infractions mineures au code de la route ne sera pas retenue.
Sera dûment prise en considération l'importance d'un recrutement effectué sur une base géographique aussi large que possible. Aucune restriction ne sera imposée par l'Organisation à l'accès des hommes et des femmes, dans des conditions égales, à toutes les fonctions, dans ses organes principaux et subsidiaires. Le Secrétariat de l'Organisation des Nations Unies est un espace non-fumeurs.
La considération dominante dans l’engagement, la mutation ou la promotion du personnel est la nécessité de s’assurer les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. En acceptant une offre d’engagement, les membres du personnel sont soumis(es) à l’autorité du Secrétaire général, qui peut leur assigner l’une quelconque des tâches ou l’un quelconque des postes de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, conformément à l’alinéa c) de l’article 1.2 du Statut du personnel. Dans ce contexte, tous les membres du personnel recrutés sur le plan international sont tenus de changer de fonctions périodiquement à l’intérieur d’un même lieu d’affectation ou dans un autre lieu d’affectation, dans les conditions fixées par le Secrétaire général.
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