Employer: United Nations
Closing date: 05 May 2016
Special Notice
The United Nation Secretariat 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 generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Principal Security Sector Reform Officer roster.
The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; 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.
Closing date: 05 May 2016
Special Notice
The United Nation Secretariat 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 generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Principal Security Sector Reform Officer roster.
The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; 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.
Org. Setting and Reporting
These positions are located in United Nations (UN) Peace Operations. The Principal Security Sector Reform (SSR) Officer reports to the Director, SSR, or in the absence of such a position, to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) or the Principal Deputy SRSG. The focus of these positions is on the provision of strategic advice in support of nationally owned SSR efforts and the overall leadership and management of an SSR capacity, including its programme, staff and budgetary resources. (The actual level of these posts varies according to the size, scope and complexity of the programme and its operations.)
These positions are located in United Nations (UN) Peace Operations. The Principal Security Sector Reform (SSR) Officer reports to the Director, SSR, or in the absence of such a position, to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) or the Principal Deputy SRSG. The focus of these positions is on the provision of strategic advice in support of nationally owned SSR efforts and the overall leadership and management of an SSR capacity, including its programme, staff and budgetary resources. (The actual level of these posts varies according to the size, scope and complexity of the programme and its operations.)
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Principal SSR Officer will be responsible for the following duties. (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Principal SSR Officers):
•Provides strategic and technical advice to both national stakeholders and Mission/UNCT leadership on security sector-wide issues, with special emphasis on civilian oversight, management and coordination.
•Assists the SRSG in developing, formulating and promoting mission strategy, policy and proposals with respect to support of national SSR efforts.
•Seeks to find relevant solutions to meet host country SSR requirements; improves on existing frameworks; and offers new options to meet host country needs.
•Advises mission management on SSR policy and on the strategic planning, design, implementation, review and evaluation of SSR plans and programmes; assists in determining priorities and allocating resources.
•Serves as the Mission’s focal point on SSR, and as the Mission’s representative for government officials, bilateral and multilateral partners and other entities in this area; serves on relevant committees as required.
•Assists national efforts to mobilize and coordinate international assistance to security sector initiatives.
•Leads the delivery of coherent ‘one-UN’ support of national SSR efforts, together with all relevant Mission/UNCT interlocutors, including coordination of Mission-UNCT assistance. This should include initiating and subsequently chairing monthly Mission-UNCT SSR Working Group meetings.
•Oversees the team’s outputs to ensure that products meet UN high-quality standards, and that reports are clear, objective, based on comprehensive data, produced in a timely fashion and complying with the relevant mandates.
•Represents the SSR capacity and participates in international, regional or national meetings; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
•Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, and other events on substantive issues; manages the substantive preparation and organization of such events.
•Provides leadership and overall management of an SSR capacity; formulates, develops and directs the implementation of the work programme; oversees programmed activities, ensuring appropriate coordination and integration with the Mission’s general mandate and all its components (in particular both the political affairs and justice/ROL components, but also communications and public information, legal affairs, policy and planning, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, humanitarian, human rights, civilian police, and military components), as well as with other UN organizations, and international and national partners, as appropriate.
•Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the capacity, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
•Recruits staff while making every effort to ensure geographical representation and gender balance.
•Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision.
•Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the team and across organizational boundaries.
•Leads the preparation of regular progress reports on UN security sector support for the consideration of senior Mission leadership, in coordination with Mission/UNCT, national and international partners.
•Reports on budget/programme performance and other substantive issues, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
•Prepares substantive inputs to SSR position papers and reports for presentation to relevant bodies.
•Responds to requests and reporting requirements from the SSR Unit, OROLSI, DPKO.
•Undertakes other duties as required.
Within delegated authority, the Principal SSR Officer will be responsible for the following duties. (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Principal SSR Officers):
•Provides strategic and technical advice to both national stakeholders and Mission/UNCT leadership on security sector-wide issues, with special emphasis on civilian oversight, management and coordination.
•Assists the SRSG in developing, formulating and promoting mission strategy, policy and proposals with respect to support of national SSR efforts.
•Seeks to find relevant solutions to meet host country SSR requirements; improves on existing frameworks; and offers new options to meet host country needs.
•Advises mission management on SSR policy and on the strategic planning, design, implementation, review and evaluation of SSR plans and programmes; assists in determining priorities and allocating resources.
•Serves as the Mission’s focal point on SSR, and as the Mission’s representative for government officials, bilateral and multilateral partners and other entities in this area; serves on relevant committees as required.
•Assists national efforts to mobilize and coordinate international assistance to security sector initiatives.
•Leads the delivery of coherent ‘one-UN’ support of national SSR efforts, together with all relevant Mission/UNCT interlocutors, including coordination of Mission-UNCT assistance. This should include initiating and subsequently chairing monthly Mission-UNCT SSR Working Group meetings.
•Oversees the team’s outputs to ensure that products meet UN high-quality standards, and that reports are clear, objective, based on comprehensive data, produced in a timely fashion and complying with the relevant mandates.
•Represents the SSR capacity and participates in international, regional or national meetings; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
•Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, and other events on substantive issues; manages the substantive preparation and organization of such events.
•Provides leadership and overall management of an SSR capacity; formulates, develops and directs the implementation of the work programme; oversees programmed activities, ensuring appropriate coordination and integration with the Mission’s general mandate and all its components (in particular both the political affairs and justice/ROL components, but also communications and public information, legal affairs, policy and planning, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, humanitarian, human rights, civilian police, and military components), as well as with other UN organizations, and international and national partners, as appropriate.
•Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the capacity, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
•Recruits staff while making every effort to ensure geographical representation and gender balance.
•Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision.
•Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the team and across organizational boundaries.
•Leads the preparation of regular progress reports on UN security sector support for the consideration of senior Mission leadership, in coordination with Mission/UNCT, national and international partners.
•Reports on budget/programme performance and other substantive issues, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
•Prepares substantive inputs to SSR position papers and reports for presentation to relevant bodies.
•Responds to requests and reporting requirements from the SSR Unit, OROLSI, DPKO.
•Undertakes other duties as required.
Competencies
•Professionalism: Understanding of the political, social and economic environment and their impact on the implementation of the Mission’s mandate. Expert knowledge of SSR (concepts, terminology, research, and policy), in particular security sector-wide issues, with special emphasis on civilian oversight, management and coordination. Demonstrated leadership, conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to thoroughly analyse and evaluate critical matters pertaining to SSR, particularly security sector-wide issues. Demonstrated capacity for original and creative thinking, independent judgment and discretion in advising on and handling major policy, programme/project and other issues/problems. Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human suffering). Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implement the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement 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.
•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 people informed.
•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.
•Professionalism: Understanding of the political, social and economic environment and their impact on the implementation of the Mission’s mandate. Expert knowledge of SSR (concepts, terminology, research, and policy), in particular security sector-wide issues, with special emphasis on civilian oversight, management and coordination. Demonstrated leadership, conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to thoroughly analyse and evaluate critical matters pertaining to SSR, particularly security sector-wide issues. Demonstrated capacity for original and creative thinking, independent judgment and discretion in advising on and handling major policy, programme/project and other issues/problems. Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human suffering). Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implement the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement 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.
•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 people informed.
•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.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration/management, public administration, security sector management, international relations or other relevant fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration/management, public administration, security sector management, international relations or other relevant fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible professional experience in security sector reform at a sector-wide level, national security coordination, institutional development, programme management or a related area is required. Previous experience in organizational/team management, as well as in the development and implementation of SSR programmes/projects at a sector-wide level, is required. Previous senior experience in advisory and coordination roles in the areas of national security and/or SSR is required. Previous experience in organizational/team management is required.
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible professional experience in security sector reform at a sector-wide level, national security coordination, institutional development, programme management or a related area is required. Previous experience in organizational/team management, as well as in the development and implementation of SSR programmes/projects at a sector-wide level, is required. Previous senior experience in advisory and coordination roles in the areas of national security and/or SSR is required. Previous experience in organizational/team management is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).
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 At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date