SECURITY SECTOR REFORM OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located within United Nations Field Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions, and Offices. The Security Sector Reform Officer reports to a Senior SSR Officer, depending on the specific mission or office structure.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Security Sector Reform Officer P-3 will be responsible for, but not limited to, the performance of the following duties:

• Assists in the administration of the SSR capacity. Also supports the development of the SSR capacity's assistance to national SSR efforts, as well as the day-to-day coordination of activities with other mission components (e.g. political, military, civilian; communications/public affairs; legal; policy/planning; mission analysis, etc.) and UN entities.
• Supports the provision of strategic and technical advice to both national stakeholders and Mission/UNCT leadership on SSR, with special emphasis on governance, the politics of security, civilian oversight, management, and coordination.
• Supports the development of mission strategy, policy, and proposals with respect to support of national SSR efforts.
• Supports the delivery of coherent 'one-UN' support of national SSR efforts, together with all relevant Mission/UNCT interlocutors, including coordination of Mission-UNCT assistance and through effective integration of all SSR programmes/projects and related activities undertaken by Mission components.
• Supports the provision of advice and assistance to key parties (e.g. SSR unit management and staff, established Commissions, government officials, etc.); consults with relevant stake holders through inclusive and participatory processes.
• Assists national efforts to mobilize and coordinate international assistance to security sector initiatives.
• Prepares substantive input to SSR, security sector and politico-security-related analysis, position papers, presentations, and reports.
• Provides substantive support to the organization of meetings, seminars, and other events on substantive issues.
• Including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparing documents and presentations.
• Organizes and/or undertakes research on various aspects of SSR work; analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources; identifies problems and issues to be assessed and proposes corrective actions and/or way forward.
• Contributes to the preparation of budget documents and preparation of input for results-based budgeting.
• Strengthens data-driven approaches to SSR, including the utilization of data for purposes of early warning analysis and response.
• Ensures gender-responsive approaches in all SSR related frameworks and activities.
• Responds to requests from the UN SSR Unit, OROLSI & DPKO.
• Performs other related duties as required.

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 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, management/business studies, security sector management, public administration, international relations, or a related field. 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 five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the area of security sector reform (SSR) is required.

Experience in security sector oversight and/or management is required.

Experience in the coordination, development, and implementation of SSR oversight and/or management programmes and projects is required.

Experience conducting and/or supporting national security and/or sector analyses is desirable.

Experience conducting and/or supporting sector assessments is desirable.

Experience providing technical support in the area of SSR to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.

The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Security Sector Reform Officer roster at the P-3 level. The entire assessment process takes an average of four months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

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.

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.

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.