CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Mitrovica Regional Office (MRO).The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the Head of the UNMIK Regional Office in Mitrovica.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Civil Affairs Officer will be responsible for the
following duties:
Monitor specific aspects of mandate implementation; identify challenges in the process and
propose measures to address them;
Supervise, monitor and encourage the work of officers under her/his responsibility in
undertaking the full range of their duties;
Provide information and analysis on political, social and economic issues affecting mandate
implementation within the geographic area of responsibility, including analysis on how these
relate to the central level and vice versa.
Ensure a sound methodology for identifying concerns and perceptions of the local population, and that these are effectively communicated to the Head of Office, as well as other actors where appropriate; identify emerging issues and critical peacebuilding gaps.
Foster effective working relations with other international organizations, including the UN
Kosovo Team, particularly on issues related to trust-building;
Maintain working relationships with local officials, civil society representatives, community
representatives and others;
Provide critical interface, direct or indirect, between relevant local institutions and
communities, with a view to facilitating interactions between them;
Lead preparation and implementation of strategies to facilitate trust-building between
communities through engagement with representatives of the communities and relevant
institutions;
Identify and support civil society groups and/or institutions that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation;
Supervise development, implementation and evaluation of the office’s programmatic activities in line with the Mission’s mandate and strategic priorities;
Supervise specific aspects of programme/project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions;
Supervise a team of professional and program assistant staff;
Supervise preparation of daily, weekly, thematic and ad hoc reports;
Perform additional duties assigned by the Head of Office.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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

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.

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.

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 staff when they make mistakes; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Political Economy, International Relations, International Law, Public Administration, Sociology or related fields. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in civil affairs, political affairs, development, project/programme management, public administration or related area is required.

Experience in design and implementation of initiatives to promote dialogue, trust-building and reconciliation between different parties in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious environment is required.

Experience in managing complex projects and programmes is desirable.

Experience working in a conflict or a post-conflict setting is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and
geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this
position. The appointment or assignment and renewal therefore subject to the availability of the post
or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The 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 according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. 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 reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (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.