This position is located within the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Unit in the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI), Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), United Nations Headquarters. The Security Sector Reform Officer (Coordination Officer) reports to the Chief of the SSR Unit, and/or his/her delegate.
Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) was established in 2007 to strengthen the links and coordinate the Department’s activities in the areas of police, justice and corrections, mine action and weapons/ammunition management, the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants and security sector reform. (https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/department-of-peacekeeping-operations).
Within delegated authority, the Security Sector Reform Officer (Coordination Officer) will be responsible for the following duties:
• Coordinate responses to queries and requests for support to Security Sector Reform (SSR) activities from peacekeeping operations, other departments, agencies and field offices, including in West and/or East Africa.
• Support in the development of an approach to SSR at Headquarters by developing and maintaining a system-wide knowledge base for SSR-related materials.
• Establish a database of non-UN partners engaged in SSR and points of contact therein. In this respect, serves as the SSR Unit’s Focal Point for Security Sector Public Expenditure Reviews and, in this respect, manages the SSR Unit partnership with the World Bank and the SSR Unit-World Bank joint project on Security Sector Public Expenditure Reviews. Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources.
• Assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.
• Undertake survey initiatives; review, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions.
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, sensitization briefings, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents (including briefing notes and talking points) and presentations, etc.
• Assist in outreach activities, training workshops, seminars, presentations, etc, including the development and implementation of a system-wide SSR communications and awareness building plan.
• Participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinate activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Perform other duties as required.
Professionalism: Knowledge of Security and / or Defence / Police sector reforms (concepts, terminology, research and policy literature, etc.), in particular in the area(s) of specialization (e.g. governance, oversight and accountability of the security sector; institutional development, sustainable development or other relevant area) and ability to apply technical expertise to identify, assess and resolve a range of difficult issues/problems. Experience in the design and implementation of SSR programmes / projects. Proven strengths in policy and operational-level coordination. Ability to conduct research and data collection using various methods, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the SSR activities in assigned country/area. Ability to work with a wide range of technical experts including police, military, public administrative and judicial actors and to support interdisciplinary / interdepartmental teams and task forces, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matters; 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; 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.
Teamwork: Works 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.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in security sector management, administration, governance, business management, public administration, international relations or a related field. A first level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area. Experience providing technical SSR support to government counterparts in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Previous experience in a peacekeeping or special political mission or other international, regional organizations is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations languages is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency - based interview.
• This position is temporarily available until 23 January 2019. 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.
• 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.
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.