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Civil Affairs Officer

Multiple locations

  • Organization: UNDOS - United Nations Department of Operational Support
  • Location: Multiple locations
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Political, Peace and HumanitarianCivil Affairs
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the United Nations field Peace Operations and Special Political missions. The majority of P4 Civil Affairs Officers work at the local level, with some postings at Mission Headquarters. P4 Civil Affairs Officers usually report to the Director / Chief of Civil Affairs, Senior Civil Affairs Officer or Regional Administrator.

Please note that, in order to be rostered, P4 Civil Affairs Officer candidates are required to clearly demonstrate competencies and experience in two (or more) of three specialised areas, in addition to a core profile. The specialisations are:

•Conflict Management
•Support to State Institutions
•Programme Management

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority the P4 Civil Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties. (These duties are generic, and may not all be performed by all P4 Civil Affairs Officers).

Core profile
•Represents the mission at the regional or local level and ensures that all relevant governmental and non-governmental actors in the area have accurate information about the mandate and full-range of operations of the Mission.
•Provides information and analysis for the Mission and other actors where applicable, on political, social and economic issues affecting conflict dynamics at the local and regional level, including analysis on how these relate to the national level and vice versa. Ensures a sound methodology for identifying the concerns and perceptions of the local population, and ensures these are effectively communicated to the Mission, as well as other actors where appropriate. Identifies emerging issues and critical peacebuilding gaps, provides an early warning function where necessary.
•Ensures a shared understanding of the Mission environment, mandate and operations amongst Mission actors at the regional or local level, in particular uniformed components, to support consistency and coherence of approach. Establishes and fosters effective working relations with United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and develops local initiatives for joint work where appropriate. Coordinates and plans with UNCT partners in that area of operations to ensure a coherent UN system effort.
•Troubleshoots problems that arise at the regional or local level that threaten mandate implementation and the progress of the peace process. Formulates recommendations concerning Mission broader actions and approaches required at regional or local level, mobilises a response from other actors where appropriate.
•Identifies, manages and evaluates individual Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) intended for confidence building purposes at the local level, in line with DPKO/DFS Policy Directive on QIPs and mission specific priorities.
•Supervises, monitors and encourages the work of officers under his/her responsibility in undertaking the full range of their duties.
•Identifies and researches good practice and lessons learned in Civil Affairs work and shares these with colleagues, including through active participation in the online Civil Affairs Network.
•Proactively contributes to overall mission monitoring and planning.
•Performs other duties as required, in line with the DPKO/DFS Policy Directive on Civil Affairs.

Conflict Management
•Develops a strategy for regional or local level conflict management work in line with the wider strategy, including mechanisms for information-sharing, crisis response and protection of civilians as needed.
•Facilitates and supports dialogue between groups in conflict in the area of responsibility by convening structured meetings and similar activities.
•Promotes and protects the interest of excluded and/or threatened groups through advocacy in full respect of humanitarian and international law.
•Identifies and supports civil society groups and/or institutions that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation. Assists them, including, where appropriate, in becoming effective implementing partners for Quick Impact Projects.

Support to State Institutions
•Provides a strategy for effective cooperation between Civil Affairs and state institutions at the regional or local level, in line with the wider strategy and in coordination with other actors.
•Assists local institutions to assess capacity building and support needs, working with partners including the UNCT and in particular UNDP. Helps to design and mobilise a coordinated response to these needs from relevant actors.
•Designs and implements appropriate and practical Civil Affairs support to local authorities, including mentoring and support to policy and decision-making processes where appropriate.
•Supports dialogue and cooperation between authorities and relevant interest groups with the aim of creating political space and accountability, and provides support to the development of structures of accountability and transparency.
•Initiates and/or supports events such as public fora or town-hall meetings to foster development of political space at the local level. Initiates and/or supports civic education programmes at the local level on a range of issues, including elections, policy issues, and good governance principles, in coordination with local authorities and/or civil society actors.

Programme Management
•Supports the Director / Chief of Civil Affairs in all aspects of their role. Acts as Deputy Director / Chief of Civil Affairs of a small Civil Affairs component where requested.
•Manages a regional or local field office or team, undertaking or overseeing the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for its functioning. Designs and oversees implementation of the Civil Affairs workplan for that area, as well as the work of other components as relevant, ensuring consistency of approach and efficiency of output.
•Manages a large Mission QIPs programme in accordance with Mission priorities and the DPKO/DFS policy on QIPs. Includes, inter alia: acting as Secretariat to a decision-making body on QIPs, ensuring the effective and timely running of the project design, approval and implementation process, the keeping of accurate records, assistance with determining mission specific priorities, assessment of impact of the overall programme, and drafting of QIPs submission for the Mission budget.
•Oversees development and ensures distribution of high-quality mission-specific induction materials. Designs, oversees implementation and evaluates tailored in-mission skills training for Civil Affairs components in accordance with global Civil Affairs skills training methodologies.
•Serves as focal point for researching, identifying and sharing good practices and lessons learned with the Civil Affairs component and the global Civil Affairs community.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Staff within work unit, Mission and DPKO, DFS, DPA/Headquarters; Senior national and local government officials, community representatives, national non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizers; UN system actors such as UNDP, UNHCR, OCHA, etc.; International non-governmental organizations and multilateral/bilateral donors; Counterparts in regional organizations (e.g., AU, EU, OSCE, NATO, etc); Local and, as required, international media.

Results Expected: Provides authoritative analysis about the regional / local level, and makes high-quality recommendations about the approaches or interventions needed in the area by the Mission as a whole. Where possible, creatively resolves problems at the regional or local level. Where necessary, mobilises relevant actors to assist in addressing problems. Ensures Mission and other actors are well coordinated in the area. Delivers high quality results in relevant specialised areas.

Competencies

Professionalism:
Core profile: Solid understanding of the contexts within which peacekeeping operations function, and ability to translate a broad strategic vision into concrete objectives on the ground. Ability to adapt experience and knowledge to different environments. Solid knowledge of United Nations policy on Civil Affairs and related areas, and a strong appreciation of the role of Civil Affairs in empowering and enabling other actors. Ability to build networks and to initiate, design and maintain effective working partnerships with a range of actors at the sub-national level, and to positively influence them where appropriate in establishing a common sense of purpose. Proven ability to creatively respond to problems and to mobilise other actors to respond where necessary. Understanding of how to ensure effective coordination. Ability to analyse political, economic and social factors affecting conflict dynamics and to identify critical peacebuilding gaps at the regional or local level. Ability to source, evaluate and integrate information and analysis from a range of actors, and to articulate analysis in clear reports. Understanding of the relationship between regional / local dynamics and the central level in the progress of the overall peace process. Understanding of the functioning of political parties and the role of elected or transitional members of representative bodies. Solid understanding of the principle of local ownership and of how to apply this in Civil Affairs work. Appreciation of the complexities involved in identifying the concerns and perceptions of the local population in post-conflict environments, and knowledge of mechanisms for doing so. Proven ability to work independently under pressure, on occasion in highly stressful or isolated environments and with minimum supervision. Ability to work with tact and diplomacy, primarily as an enabler of constructive actors and processes. Respect for local cultures and values, awareness of the impact of personal conduct, ability to adapt behaviour to different environments with sensitivity. Commitment to long term objectives, tenacity and a positive attitude in pursuing them. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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 the audience
-Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

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

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

BuildingTrust:
-Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion
-Manages in a deliberate and predictable way
-Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda
-Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients
-Gives proper credit to others
-Follows through on agreed upon actions
-Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in civil affairs-related work with UN Peace Operations, UN Funds or Programmes, national or international NGOs, or community based organizations, research institutions, etc. Of these seven years at least three must be in a conflict affected environment working on conflict analysis, conflict management, community reconciliation, protection of civilians, social cohesion or support to the effective functioning of local authorities and institutions. Work experience in a field office operating at the sub-national level is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English and French is required; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

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.

This vacancy is now closed.