Conflict Resolution Officer P4, Rome, Italy

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This job is located in the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services (HQ) and reports to the Director, Office of Ombudsman and Mediation Services. Frequent travel to WFP Country and Field Offices is required.

JOB PURPOSE

To provide sound informal conflict resolution services to all employees; and assist in identifying systemic issues, trends, and patterns and facilitate change at the systemic level (policies, procedures, practice, structures, culture or attitude).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Provide conflict prevention and resolution services to employees to resolve any workplace concerns they bring to the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services (the Office). Such handling of cases must be guided by a full understanding of the principles of confidentiality, independence, neutrality, and impartiality.
2. Identify options for next steps or resolution of the matter within the WFP system and its rules, including the provision of relevant information and referrals.
3. Provide various conflict resolution interventions, including conflict coaching, shuffle diplomacy and mediation.
4. Conduct regular visits to WFP regional, country, and field offices to provide in-person conflict resolution services to employees, as well as outreach and training.
5. Work collaboratively with relevant actors in various offices to achieve an informal resolution to work-related problems raised by the parties.
6. Follow up with the parties to receive feedback and where needed or requested, to advise on further services or steps.
7. Collect and interpret data, and contribute to the writing of the Ombudsman annual report.
8. Identify systemic issues encountered during informal conflict resolution, and formulate recommendations for addressing them.
9. Develop and deliver outreach and learning activities on informal resolution and conflict management to support all employees and managers to acquire the individual capacity to effectively deal with (potential) conflict.
10. Keep abreast of developments in the field of conflict resolution and within the Organization.
11. Contribute to developing state-of-the-art and client-oriented Ombudsman, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution practices within the office.
12. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men and preferably equal outcomes.
13. Perform any other duties or special projects to support the Office in carrying out its functions, as assigned, including research in the field of conflict resolution and contributions to reports.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• University degree in administration, Human Resources, Social Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Gender Studies or other relevant fields, and/or training/courses in alternative dispute resolution or conflict management.

Experience: 

• 8 years of relevant professional experience of which 2 years of relevant UN experience and 6 years in the field of International Development, Civil Affairs, Ethics, Ombudsman, HR, Staff Relations and Management Training or Coaching. 

Language:

• Fluency (level C) in English language and Intermediate (level B) knowledge in French or Spanish Language.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

Capability:

• Conflict resolution: Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of alternative dispute and conflict resolution mechanisms, e.g. mediation, reconciliation, restorative practices.  Demonstrates professional competence in conflict resolution, seeking fair and equitable solutions to and prevention of employment-related problems. Demonstrates an ability to creatively respond to problems and to mobilise, empower or enable other actors to respond where necessary. Able to assist in developing a deeper understanding of conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution.
• Analysis: Able to analyse a wide range of factors affecting conflict dynamics and to identify systemic issues (with regard to policies, procedures, practice, structures, culture or attitude) and to formulate clear recommendations for addressing those issues in order to facilitate change at the systemic level.
• Communication: Able to create a safe setting in which visitors feel comfortable in being able to bring forward issues or concerns by demonstrating advanced listening skills and the ability to establish rapport and gain trust and respect; speaks and writes clearly and effectively and tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience.
• Outreach and Stakeholder Management: Understands the importance of outreach and is able to deliver oral presentations to various audiences; able to diplomatically handle sensitive situations and cultivate productive relationships with target audiences and stakeholders.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Non-Rotational Nature

Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with http://www.wfp.org  Click on: “Where we work” and “Our work” to learn more about WFP’s operations.
http://icsc.un.org  Click: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date
http://www.unstaffmobility.org  Learn more about countries where the UN operates

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

18 September 2018

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.