MISSION PLANNING OFFICER [Temporary]

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba, Office of Chief of Staff, Strategic Planning Unit. Juba is classified in the "E" category and as a non-family duty station. The Mission Planning Officer reports through the Team Leader of the Strategic Planning Unit to the Mission Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Senior Mission Planning Officer (Team Leader of the Strategic Planning Unit) and the overall guidance of the Chief of Staff, the Mission Planning Officer:

•By conducting research and writing initial drafts of document segments, contributes to the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies to maximize the individual and collective impact of the UN’s response in South Sudan, concentrating on mandated tasks and activities required to consolidate peace, through a strategic partnership between UNMISS and the UN country team.
•Provides advice to programme managers on planning guidance and tools, especially the UN Policy on Integrated Assessment and Planning (IAP); provides recommendations on design of specific planning tools and mechanisms, in line with policy and best practice, to meet the needs of the Mission and partners.
•Provides secretariat support and technical assistance to integrated field coordination structures, as required.
•As directed, contributes to the development and implementation of an UN Integrated Strategic Framework for peace consolidation in the country, including a system for monitoring and evaluation of progress.
•By making suggestions and drafting inputs for review and approval by the Senior Mission Planning Officer, assists in the preparation of a Mission Plan, which, building on the vision of the SRSG, translates the mission mandated tasks into a form that fuses objectives, timelines and expected outcomes into a coherent whole, serving as an authoritative guide for the development and implementation of Mission component plans.
•By compiling and analyzing data, contributes to preparation of the Mission Results-Based Budget (RBB) frameworks and performance reports, and of inputs as required for audits, budget monitoring and performance reporting.
•Facilitates the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment System (CPAS), including by facilitating data and indicator compilation, reporting and analysis as directed, to ensure coherence, integration and alignment of CPAS with other Mission planning and performance assessment efforts.
•Contributes to the implementation of Enterprise Risk Management in the Mission, as directed by the Senior Mission Planning Officer.
•Proactively interacts and collaborates with planning focal points across Mission components to help foster a culture of planning and coordination; provides technical support to the Mission components in development of component-level plans and programmatic activities, so as to ensure coherence with the Mission’s overall strategic direction and planning tools, and to support joint and integrated planning between Mission components, UN country team members and other relevant partners in accordance with the IAP Policy and senior management guidance.
•Performs other duties as required.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
•Heads and planning focal points of Mission Components;
•The Headquarters Integrated Task Force (ITF);
•The Resident Coordinator’s Office and the UN Country Team.
Results Expected:
•Integrated planning mechanisms at Mission level function in accordance with the IAP policy.
•An Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF) is developed through a partnership with the UN Country Team and the Mission, and in coordination with other relevant entities outside the UN, and is monitored and evaluated in accordance with established standards.
•RBB and CPAS are implemented in accordance with relevant policies and consistent with other planning processes and documents.

Competencies

Professionalism:
-Demonstrates good knowledge of institutional mandates and policies of the institutions of the UN system, peacekeeping in particular
-Is familiar with UNMISS mandate and the strategic and operational environment in South Sudan
-Has knowledge of strategy design, management and monitoring, particularly on UN integrated assessment and planning processes
-Demonstrates experience in coordinating and facilitating multi-stakeholder processes
-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

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


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

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Management or Development, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, humanitarian affairs, development, programme management or related field is required.

Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder processes in a peace consolidation setting is required.

Experience working directly on UN field operation strategic planning processes is required.

Knowledge of relevant UN policies, processes and operations is required

Experience in monitoring programmes or planning in a transition context is desirable.

At least one full year of experience working in a UN common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) - or similar international organization or non-governmental organization - in a conflict or post conflict setting is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in oral 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

• This position is temporarily available for six (6) months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

• Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.