These positions are located in United Nations peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and/or other field operations. Incumbents may serve as head of the corrections component. The Senior Corrections Officer typically reports to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the head of the justice and corrections component of the mission, or another relevant senior officer, depending on the mission structure. Senior corrections officer positions are typically based at the headquarters of UN field mission, generally the capital city of the country where the mission is established.
Within limits of delegated authority, and under the supervision of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the head of the justice and corrections component or other relevant senior officer, the Senior Corrections Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may differ depending on the mandate and requirements of the mission).
• Lead and manage the development and implementation of the mission’s strategies related to supporting national counterparts in strengthening and developing all aspects of the corrections system, including: implementation of applicable international standards; development and implementation of strategic planning processes; development, implementation and assessment of training programmes; review and development of relevant legislation; rehabilitation of facilities; management of prisoners and staff; management of critical strategic and operational issues, particularly security and overcrowding; and development of effective linkages with the police and the court system.
• Establish and maintain contacts and effective relations with senior national government officials and civil society representatives, including counterparts in the Ministry of Justice and/or other relevant Ministries, the police, courts, prisons, non-governmental organizations, universities and law schools, media, diplomatic missions and donors.
• Build linkages with development partners and donors to ensure a seamless transition to long term development support and mobilization of resources where necessary.
• Advise on and prepare assessment reports, policy documents, guidelines and reports addressing complex strategic and operational prison system issues.
• Participate in coordination mechanisms at mission level, maintaining close working relationships with relevant components (human rights, police, justice, gender, child protection, etc.) and United Nations entities, and represent the mission as required.
•Perform programmatic, managerial and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the mission’s corrections component, including the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, recruiting staff and managing and evaluating staff performance.
•Perform any other task as requested by the mission leadership.
•PROFESSIONALISM
Demonstrated in-depth understanding of corrections system issues, and knowledge of relevant international human rights standards; capacity to adopt a strategic approach to the development of a prison system. S/he 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.
•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; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping others informed.
•PLANNING AND ORGANIZING
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate 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.
•LEADERSHIP
Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
•MANAGING PERFORMANCE
Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminal justice, social sciences, management or related areas is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in these areas, in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience in the field of corrections, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in a corrections system is required, including experience in one or more of the following areas: prison management; policy development; strategic and operational planning; and training or related areas. At east one year of experience providing technical assistance for strengthening the corrections system in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required. Experience in managing large team is required. Experience in planning, staffing and budgeting is required.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required; working knowledge of French or Arabic is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
The United Nations Department of Field Support maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.
The purpose of this job opening is to populate an existing mixed male/female roster of pre-cleared candidates for positions as Senior Corrections Officer, P-5 in UN peace operations. Women are particularly encouraged to apply in support of achievement of the United Nations System-Wide Gender Parity Strategy launched in September 2017.
https://iseek-newyork.un.org/system/files/1700102b_gender_strategy_report_13_sept_2017.pdf
Please note that this roster is for a specific profile of candidates required by UN peace operations. These positions are located in conflict and post-conflict locations which are typically classified as non-family and/or hardship duty stations. As such, candidates who are eventually selected for positions cannot bring family members with them. That said, the United Nations offers a competitive salary package and specific benefits and entitlements to help staff deployed to non-family duty stations balance work and life commitments. To learn more about the UN salary scale and benefits and entitlements in hardship locations, please visit http://unjumet.net/ohrm_main/index.php. An updated list of UN peace operations and additional information on working in the field can be found at http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/about/dfs/ and http://www.un.org/undpa/en/in-the-field/overview.
All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.