Peacebuilding Affairs Officer

Nov 21, 2015 | Peace & Collaborative Development Network
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The Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) was established to assist and support the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and administer the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). Based on the founding resolutions (A/RES/60/180 and S/RES/1645(2005)) establishing the Peacebuilding Commission, the Secretary-General created PBSO which comprises of the Peacebuilding Commission Support Branch, the Policy, Planning and Application Branch and the Financing for Peacebuilding Branch. This position is located in the Policy, Planning and Application Branch (PPAB) and the incumbent reports to the Chief of PPAB. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Peacebuilding Officer: •Produces analytical, background, policy papers and reports of the Secretary-General, as well as lessons learned and good practices on peacebuilding, including for the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and in collaboration with the other branches of PBSO;•Provides technical and substantive support to the implementation of mandates of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), including on policy development with connection to the preparation for and follow-up to the Commission’s annual sessions, its advisory role to the Security Council, and during the development of Peacebuilding Fund programmes in countries considered by the PBC; •Mainstreams good peacebuilding practices within the UN system, and promotes system-wide coherence, including through participation in relevant inter-agency mechanisms, such as the integrated mission assessment and planning, Integrated Mission Task Forces and sector-specific meetings; •Prepares talking points, speeches and background notes for the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support and other senior UN officials;•Develops and implements partnerships with other UN entities and external partners, including with international financial institutions, regional organizations and independent research and policy institutions; •Supports the mainstreaming of gender and youth issues in the work of the PBC, Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and PBSO; and •Monitors the overall trends in conflict-affected countries, including those in which the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) is engaged, with a view to identifying opportunities and emerging threats to the peacebuilding process, liaising with relevant UN and non-UN actors and recommending appropriate course of action to the Chair and/or to the leadership of PBSO, including through PBF programmes. •Works with the Peacebuilding Commission and the Financing for Peacebuilding branches on diversifying modes of the Commission’s country-specific engagements and in identifying entry points and opportunities for such engagements;

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Proven analytical skills and ability to formulate policies, good practices and identify peacebuilding challenges and offer proposals for addressing such challenges; Ability to integrate knowledge of country contexts with broader policy and operational objectives; In-depth understanding of the inter-agency processes relating to peacebuilding; Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; Strong negotiations skills and ability to seek and reach agreement in inter-agency processes; Ability to innovate and improve processes and procedures relating to PBC engagement with countries on its agenda; and Ability to manage a team and team members. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • 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, peace/conflict studies; international law, political/development economics, public administration or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience in intergovernmental and diplomatic areas, is desirable. Experience in the United Nations or other regional, international Peacebuilding or in conflict resolution and mediation missions are desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other official UN language(s) is an advantage.

Assessment Method

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

United Nations Considerations

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, 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 and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). 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 inspira account-holder homepage.Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. 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.