Tuesday 17 January 2012

UNDP Coordination Officer, Civil Affairs Job Vacancy in New York

Job Title: Coordination Officer, Civil Affairs, P3
Department/ Office: Department Of Peacekeeping Operations
Duty Station: NEW YORK
Posting Period: 15 December 2011-13 February 2012

Job Opening number: 11-POL-DEPT PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS-21781-R-NEW YORK

This position is located in the Policy and Best Practices Service of the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the incumbent will serve as part of the Civil Affairs Team. The incumbent will report to the Team Leader of the Civil Affairs Team.

Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Civil Affairs Team Leader the Coordination Officer is responsible for the following:
- Development and maintenance of policy and guidance on Civil Affairs, and related areas as required
- Pursue research on topics of practical, operational and strategic relevance to Civil Affairs components in field missions
- Assists in updating and maintaining a policy directive that outlines the main roles and guiding principles of Civil Affairs through fully consulting (including both through travel to missions and/or holding workshops)
- Assists with the clarification of respective roles in Civil Affairs and related areas of work with UN and other partners through, inter alia: developing and maintaining relationships with relevant actors, participation in relevant working groups, joint trips to the field with other agencies to identify opportunities and synergies, developments of case studies, participation in wider efforts to enhance coherence within the UN system
- Ongoing development and maintenance of appropriate guidance on various aspects of the Civil Affairs role, and related areas as required, as part of the Policy and Best Practice Service, drawing on good practice collected from the field and available from the wider community of academics and practitioners in peacekeeping
- Coordination of good practice collection and dissemination through close contact with practitioners and the identification of opportunities to collect good practice
- Coordination of the development of training opportunities for Civil Affairs officers through partnership with Integrated Training Service (ITS), including annual workshops on Civil Affairs as appropriate
- Management and facilitation of the Civil Affairs Network, an online library resource and email network linking Civil Affairs practitioners in different mission, by keeping abreast of new research or developments related to Civil Affairs work and posting them on the network, and by actively encouraging the membership to share information and ideas through the network
- Facilitation and organisation of teleconferences and workshops to facilitate communication between Heads of Civil Affairs components; acting as secretariat to the meetings/workshops, setting the date and agenda, providing a summary of discussions, and arranging for guest speakers as appropriate
- Provide support to the Office of Operation in its responsibility to operationally support Civil Affairs work in missions, by reviewing relevant documents on request, remaining abreast of developments, and raising any potential issues of concern
- Input to integrated mission planning as requested on matters related to Civil Affairs
- Assist in the support of the effective recruitment of Civil Affairs officers by improving the generic job descriptions, clarifying the nature of skills sought, and developing recruitment outreach activities.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Professionalism:
- Knowledge of the role and mandate of the United nations Peacekeeping Operations with regard to Civil Affairs at the national and local level.
- Solid understanding of the contexts within which peacekeeping operations function.
- Solid knowledge of DPKO/DFS policy on Civil Affairs and related areas, and a strong appreciation of the role of Civil Affairs in empowering and enabling other actors.
- Awareness of key elements involved in the performance of civil affairs related work including: cross mission representation monitoring and facilitation at the local level, confidence building, conflict management and support to reconciliation, and; support the restoration and extension of state authority.
- Understanding of the relationship between local dynamics and the central level in the progress of the overall peace process.
- Understanding of the principle of local ownership and of how to apply this in Civil Affairs work.
- Knowledge of operational aspects of national, bilateral and multilateral aid programmes.
- Appreciation of the value of identifying and sharing best practices and lessons learned.
- Appreciation of the value of integrating gender perspectives into Civil Affairs work.
- Ability to identify sources of data collection and to synthesised large amounts of data into clear text.
- Ability to build networks and maintain effective working partnerships with a range of actors and understanding of how to ensure effective coordination.
- Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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

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

Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, law, economics or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in Civil Affairs related work with UN Peacekeeping Operations, UN funds or programmes, National or International NGOs, or community based organizations, research institutions, etc. Experience in a UN peace operation in the field is required. Previous experience in related policy work at UN headquarters is desirable. Experience in a position requiring conflict management, facilitation, mediation or negotiation skills; and/or in working in promoting local governance and state institution support; and/or in programme/project management with international governmental or non-governmental organizations are also desirable.

Languages
For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage

Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a case study and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice
- Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
- Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.
- These posts are financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. Extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval. The appointment of staff will also be limited to service on posts financed by the Support Account.

United Nations Considerations
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.

No Fee
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.

Click Here to Apply

Closing Date: Monday, 13 February 2012

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