Somalia: Senior Civil Affairs Officer, P5

Assessment Period

STANDARD PRE-SELECTION TEST SCHEDULED for 1-3 April 2017.

Screened-in applicants will be invited by email to take the Standard Pre-selection Test (SPT); please ensure that your primary email address in Inspira is correct as this will be used for the invitation. No communications will be sent to your secondary email address.

Information on the SPT will also be available on your "My Upcoming Test Schedule" page in Inspira. The SPT will take place between 10:00 a.m. on 1st April to 9:59 a.m. on 3rd April 2017 (EST, New York time). Applicants must complete the test during this 48-hour testing window in order to remain under consideration.
All applicants should regularly check the United Nations HR Portal at https://hr.un.org/page/assessment or their "My Upcoming Test Schedule" page in Inspira for any updates/changes after the closing of this job opening, particularly during the week before the scheduled testing dates.
Please note that applicants who apply as rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and accordingly, will not be invited to participate in the SPT or any other assessments (including any written exam, interview, etc.) throughout the selection process. For more information about the assessment process, please visit the United Nations HR Portal.

Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Is a career at the United Nations right for you? Take the voluntary self-assessment questionnaire and get valuable insight into the working environment of the United Nations as well as the Political, Peace and Humanitarian Network (POLNET). This questionnaire is anonymous and has no impact on your potential candidacy for this position. Upon completion, you will receive feedback to help you decide if working in the United Nations is right for you.

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Special Notice

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.
Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move(s) requirements, or geographical to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Civil Affairs Section of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in Mogadishu. Mogadishu is classified as an "E" hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent reports to and is under the direct supervision of the Director/Chief of the Civil Affairs Division, UNSOM.

Mandate Established on 2 May 2013 by the UN Security Council, UNSOM was launched on 3 June 2013. UNSOM’s core role is to act as an enabler, helping to create and galvanize the political and strategic environment in which stabilisation and peace-building can proceed, including by leveraging other parts of the UN system and international partners. UNSOM supports the Federal Government of Somalia’s agenda of peace, security and nation-building and will help the country move towards free and fair elections in 2016. It exercises its mandate guided by the principles of Somali ownership, flexibility, collaboration and partnerships. Learn more about the mission’s mandate at http://unsom.unmissions.org/

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority under the Director/Chief Civil Affairs Division (CCAD), the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
• Supports the Director/Chief of Civil Affairs in all aspects of their role, including through the provision of policy guidance and strategy development. Acts as Deputy Chief of Civil Affairs and possibly head of Field Office where requested.
• Ensures coherence of the work of the Civil Affairs field component as a whole. Manages, supervises and carries out the work plan of the Field Office under his/her responsibility. Supervises and monitors the work of officers under his/her responsibility in undertaking the full range of their duties.
• Designs and coordinates diverse projects and activities for Civil Affairs to further the overall objectives of the Division, including joint programmes with UNCT and other actors where appropriate. Monitors activities to ensure that substantive work programmes are carried out in a timely and effective fashion, taking account of inclusivity including the targeting of women and youth.
• Manages relevant planning and budgeting processes for the Field Office, in accordance with UN and Mission procedures. Anticipates changes in the environment and proposes adjustments in the priorities or approach accordingly.
• Ensures that information and analysis provided by Civil Affairs Officers at the local level is collected and presented in a consistent and planned manner. Provides an overall analysis of trends and issues based on input from diverse geographical areas. Ensures that Civil Affairs analysis is integrated into overall mission analysis and planning.
• Coordinates (across disciplines and thematic priorities such as support to civil society engagement in peacebuilding, promotion of confidence building, social cohesion, conflict prevention and mitigation, support to the extension of state administration and the return of basic services) to ensure effective partnership, coordination and information sharing between the Civil Affairs component and both Mission and non-Mission partners. Ensures that all partners and interlocutors are aware of the role and contributions of Civil Affairs as part of the overall Mission and UN effort.
• Manages a regional or local field office, undertaking or overseeing the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for its functioning. Designs and oversees implementation of the Civil Affairs work plan for that area. Ensures that all Civil Affairs and non-Civil Affairs Mission actors in that regional or local area of operations share an understanding of the Mission mandate and operations, and act in a cohesive and consistent manner. Coordinates with UNCT partners in that area of operations to ensure a coherent UN system effort.
• Performs other duties as required, in line with the DPKO/DFS Policy Directive on Civil Affairs.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the contexts within which peacekeeping operations function, and ability to contribute significantly to the overall strategic vision of the Mission. Ability to develop a vision and implement a plan for supporting domestic actors at the national level in conceptualising, designing and implementing conflict management or reconciliation processes. -- Ability to develop a vision and implement a plan for supporting domestic actors at the national level in conceptualising, designing and implementing a process for strengthening state institutions. Seasoned and in-depth knowledge and demonstrated capacity in dealing with policy and strategic issues related to institution building and governance. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; acts without consideration of personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority; stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.
Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats men and women equally; shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses; does not discriminate against any individual or group.
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.
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.

Managerial Competencies
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 degree) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in civil affairs, political affairs, public administration, or related fields is required. A minimum of three years’ experience of managerial and supervisory functions is required. A minimum of five years of experience in conflict management, facilitation, mediation or negotiation skills, with an emphasis on analytical and strategic planning functions is desirable. Experience in facilitating structured dialogue events between different parties, and reconciliation activities and processes is desirable. Experience working on governance, support to core government functions, or related areas is desirable. Experience in policy advice in the areas of institution strengthening and governance support 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 advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Core values and competencies will be assessed throughout the evaluation process.

To apply, please click on link

https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=72227

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, 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.

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.