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PRINCIPAL SECURITY SECTOR REFORM OFFICER PRINCIPAL SECURITY SECTOR REFORM OFFICER PRINCIPAL SECURITY SECTOR REFORM OFFICER

New York City

  • Organization: UN - United Nations
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Senior Executive level - D-1, Director - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Democratic Governance
    • Security and Safety
    • Public Policy and Administration
    • Peace and Development
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

DPO provides political and executive direction to UN peace operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPO also provides guidance and support on military, police, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions.

This position is located within the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Unit in the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI), Department of Peace Operations (DPO), United Nations Headquarters. The Chief reports to the Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions.

Responsibilities

•Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the SSR Unit.
•Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the SSR Unit, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within OROLSI and DPO, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, in particular through the Inter-agency SSR Task Force, as appropriate.
•Provides strategic and technical SSR advice to the Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, OROLSI, DPO and broader UN leadership and Member States, as well as both international and national partners, with special emphasis on security sector governance.
•Responds to requests from senior management in UN country presences for advice on design, implementation and review of SSR support.
•Leads the development of integrated and coherent DPO (and UN where applicable)-wide solutions to complex national SSR challenges.
•Leads the development and implementation of SSR guidance and knowledge, including the croSSRoads guidance project.
•Leads the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships in the area of SSR, including in particular the World Bank.
•Serves as spokesperson on a diverse range of SSR activities and issues; develops and maintains relations with high level government officials, national leaders and other key players; and actively promotes coordination and communication between international and national partners.
• Leads the implementation of S/RES/2553 (2020) and the third SG’s Report on SSR (S/2022-280), including through co-chairing at the expert level the Inter-agency SSR Task Force.
•Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the SSR Unit. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the SSR Unit and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
•Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
•Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
•Ensures that the outputs produced by the SSR Unit maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the SSR Unit meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
•Prepares the work programme of the SSR Unit, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
•Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the SSR Unit, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
•Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance.
•Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
•Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the SSR Unit and across organizational boundaries.
•Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
•Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
•Represents the SSR Unit at international, regional or national meetings

Competencies

Professionalism:
Demonstrates knowledge of security sector reform (concepts, terminology, research and policy literature), in particular security sector governance issues, with special emphasis on civilian oversight, management and coordination, and including areas such as strategy, policy development and plans; governance oversight and accountability; institutional development; disarmament affairs; sustainable development, etc. Ability to advise senior management and other senior officials on approaches and techniques to assess highly complex/sensitive issues. Proven strengths in policy and operational-level coordination. Proven expertise in country/region of assignment. Demonstrates the capacity for intellectual leadership; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity and ability to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of issues/problems, in particular security sector governance issues, with special emphasis on civilian oversight, management and coordination. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of SSR.

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

Accountability:
-Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments
-Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards
-Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules
-Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments
-Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

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

Leadership:
-Serves as a role model that other people want to follow
-Empowers others to translate vision into results
-Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
-Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support
-Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions
-Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo
-Shows the courage to take unpopular stands

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in arts, business or public administration, international relations security sector management or a 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 fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in peace and security, is required.

Previous senior experience in advisory and coordination roles in the areas of national security and/or SSR is required.

Previous experience in organizational/team management, is required.

. Previous experience in the development and implementation of SSR governance programmes/projects and leading SSR policy development processes at the international level is desirable.

Previous experience overseeing global SSR partnerships, including with the African Union and/or the World Bank, is desirable .

Previous experience supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations is desirable.

Previous senior diplomatic experience is desirable.

Previous experience in SSR resource mobilization is desirable.

Previous experience in designing and leading UN system-wide SSR conferences and events is desirable.

Previous experience in education and/or training on SSR and/or international security is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

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.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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