SENIOR DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND REINTEGRATION OFFICER

The United Nation 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 roster of Senior Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration officer (DDR) at P5 level.
Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the geographical or lateral move requirements as prescribed by ST/AI/2016/1 (paragraphs 6.9 et 25.2) to be eligible to apply for this roster. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying geographical or lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
The entire assessment process takes an average of six 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. Successful applicants will be expected to serve in hardship duty stations with difficult working and living conditions. An updated list of missions and additional information on working in the field can be found at http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/about/dfs/.

These positions are located in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions or other field operations. The Senior DDR Officer may serve as head or deputy head of the DDR component or as head of a DDR subcomponent of UN peacekeeping or political field missions. He/she typically reports to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Special Representative of the Secretary-General and/or another designated official at D1 or D2 level, depending on the mission structure.

Within delegated authority, the Senior Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Officer will be responsible for the following duties (these duties are generic and may vary depending on the missions’ mandate. Therefore, the incumbent may carry out most, but not all, of these functions):

•Serves as senior officer for a significant segment of DDR field operations; plans, coordinates, and supervises all aspects of DDR activities for an assigned area; ensures an integrated and harmonized approach among other components of the missions (political affairs, military component, civilian police, public information, logistic support, etc.).

•Develops and maintains relations with high level government officials, local leaders and other key players; and actively promotes coordination and communication between international and national partners with a view of pursuing DDR objectives and ensuring participation in and effective integration of ideas in the planning and implementation of DDR activities.

•Leads large, highly complex programmes/projects, field missions, etc., including provision of guidance to government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.

•Directs and/or provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing and presenting agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents, etc.

•Provides policy and operational advice to DDR management on an ongoing basis and assists in the initiatives and recommends appropriate actions.

•Maintains effective partnership with relevant UNCT partners.

•Provides innovative technical advice and assistance to regional and local DDR commissions and offices, etc., including in institutional strengthening (capacity building) for the national DDR institutions.

•Supports DDR leadership in conflict resolution and confidence building measures.

•Prepares and/or supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.

•Guides, supervises and mentors staff in the execution of their respective functions.

•Contributes to the development of resource mobilization strategy and ensures effective coordination with donors, including the private sector.

•May perform other duties as required.

PROFESSIONALISM

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the strategic direction of a peacekeeping mission and its operations, and understanding of the political, social and economic environment and their impact on the implementation of a mission’s mandate. Ability to advise senior management and other senior officials on approaches and techniques to address highly complex/sensitive issues. Ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery). Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs and seasoned knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. 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.

CREATIVITY

Actively seeks to improve programs or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuade others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.


PLANNING AND 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.


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.


JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING

Identifies key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on available information; check assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the underlying needs of the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, social sciences, international law, management, economics, development or other relevant fields. A first-level university degree with in combination two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international affairs, including at least 3 years of experience in disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, small arms control programmes, post-conflict crisis, economic recovery or related area. Experience in the management of programmes/projects involving national and international partners is required. Experience in leading and managing the work of multi-disciplinary teams, including staffing and budget, is required. Field work experience in a conflict/ post-conflict or transition country is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this generic job opening, fluency in English is required; working knowledge of French is required; knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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

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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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.

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

The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.