CHIEF OF SERVICE, RULE OF LAW, D1

Special Notice

The United Nations 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 Chief of Service, Rule of Law D1 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. Selected candidates will typically serve in hardship duty stations. An updated list of missions and additional information on working in the field can be found at https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/about/work.shtml
Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the geographical or lateral move requirements as prescribed by ST/AI/2016/1 to be eligible to apply for this roster. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying geographical or lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political missions. The Chief of Service, Rule of Law, typically reports to the Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary-General or to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, depending on the mission structure. Incumbents typically serve as the head of the rule of law component or the justice and corrections component of the mission.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Service, Rule of Law will be responsible for the following duties: (these duties are generic and may vary depending on the mission’s mandate and priorities. Therefore, the incumbent may carry out most, but not all, of these functions).
1.Leads and manages the development and implementation of the mission’s strategies related to supporting national counterparts in the strengthening and developing of all aspects of the justice and corrections systems, including: implementation of applicable international standards, development and implementation of strategic planning processes, review and development of relevant legislation, rehabilitation of facilities, strengthening the capacity of the justice and corrections institutions, and supporting the development of effective linkages with the police. This will be undertaken by advising national counterparts and providing technical assistance, facilitating access to training and assisting to develop a strategic national reform plan.

2.Establishes and maintains 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.

3.Builds linkages with development partners and donors to ensure a seamless transition to long term development support and the mobilization of resources where necessary.

4.Advises on and prepares assessment reports, reports addressing complex strategic and operational justice and corrections issues, policy documents and guidelines.

5.Participates in coordination mechanism at mission level, maintaining close working relationships with relevant components (human rights, police, gender, etc) and other United Nations entities, and represent the mission as required.

6.Performs programmatic, managerial and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the missions’ rule of law component or justice and corrections component, including the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, recruiting staff and managing and evaluating staff performance.

7.Performs other related duties.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM
Demonstrates in-depth knowledge and understanding of the political, social and economic environment and their impact on the implementation of a mission’s mandate; extensive knowledge of judicial, legal and prison system issues, including knowledge of criminal law and informal justice mechanisms; extensive knowledge of relevant international human rights standards and their relationship and linkages to the broader developmental/post-conflict recovery framework and initiatives; knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to judicial and prison affairs and of the UN system; capacity of incorporating gender considerations in rule of law reform initiatives. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human suffering). 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 people 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.

VISION
Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

EMPOWERING OTHERS
Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; Encourages others to set challenging goals; Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise; Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience and bar qualification or equivalent may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in rule of law or a related area is required. This experience should include a minimum of ten years’ experience in one or more of the following areas: practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant, or advisor in the field of justice and/or rule of law assistance. Three years’ experience providing technical assistance supporting legal and judicial institutions in a transitional, developmental, conflict or post-conflict setting, including experience outside the applicant’s country of nationality, is required. Management experience is required. Experience with staffing, budgeting and planning is also required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of French or Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

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, 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 or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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 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 the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 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.

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.