DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND REINTEGRATION OFFICER

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 DDR Officer P 3 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.

These positions are located in United Nations field peacekeeping operations and special
political missions. The DDR Officer typically reports to a Section Chief responsible for DDR operations in a field location. These positions contribute to the formulation of overall policies, procedures, objectives, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DDR programmes, operations and other related activities in the country or region concerned.

Applicants will be expected to serve in hardship duty stations with difficult working and living conditions. An updated list of missions and additional information on working in the field can be found at http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/about/dfs

Within delegated authority, the DDR Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be performed by all DDR Officers):

•Contributes to the substantive development and implementation of the DDR programme, including overall policy and legal framework, implementation strategy, operational modalities and action plans, taking into account national programme priorities and targets.

•Provides technical inputs to the planning, design and implementation of projects, as well as technical advice and assistance to key parties (e.g. DDR unit management, DDR Commissions, government representatives, etc.); consults with relevant stakeholders through inclusive and participatory processes; and undertakes continuous monitoring of project activities.

•Organizes and undertakes research and analysis on various aspects of DDR work, including risk and threat assessments, target group profiles, political factors, security and other issues affecting operations; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; identifies and tracks follow-up actions; produces progress and briefing reports.

•Supports the development and maintenance of appropriate mechanisms and systems for tracking, monitoring and evaluation of key components of DDR-related programmes; manages data collection and follow-up; identifies issues and prepares conclusions.

•Coordinates the mobilization of networks of local partners and communities (e.g. NGOs, community-based organizations, private sector enterprises and local communal authorities) and facilitates their participation in the planning and implementation of DDR programmes and related activities.

•Supports efforts in resource mobilization and development of strategic partnerships with multiple donors and agencies.

•In consultation with relevant parties, develops targeted training programmes for institutional capacity building.

•Participates in or leads field missions, including provision of guidance to government officials and other parties; drafts mission reports and prepares briefings for senior Mission leadership.

•Ensures that DDR activities are well integrated and coordinated with other mission activities (e.g. political, military, humanitarian; public information; legal, etc.).

•Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.

•Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings (e.g. conferences, workshops) to include proposing agenda topics, preparation of documents and presentations.

•Supervises field office personnel working on DDR activities.

•Performs other duties as required.

PROFESSIONALISM:
Knowledge and understanding of UN field missions’ mandate and strategic direction. Knowledge of DDR and related issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Sound understanding of and an ability to evaluate international political situations in that area. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the DDR activities in assigned country/area. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. 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. S/he takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:
S/he 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:
S/he 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) in political science, social sciences, management, international economics, international relations, law, development or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, political affairs, civil affairs, humanitarian affairs or related area is required. Off this, a minimum of one year experience in conflict/post-conflict/ transition countries working on : small arms control, economic recovery or in any area related to the management of armed groups is desirable. Experience working within peacekeeping, peace-building or development programs operations is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency (both in spoken and written) English is required. Fluency in French and/or Arabic is an advantage.

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

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.

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.