Within delegated authority, the Policy and Best Practices Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Promotes and facilitates organization learning and the sharing of knowledge within the mission and between the mission and other missions and UNHQ: ? In consultation with the Mission Chief of Staff and the Senior Leadership Team and assisted by the Policy and Best Practices Section at UN Headquarters, develops a knowledge management action plan that will address the mission’s operational learning needs. ? Promotes the active use of the DPKO-DFS knowledge sharing tools and systems, such as the Policy and Practice Database, End of Assignment Reports, Surveys of Practice and After-Action Reviews including through the establishment and support of a network of best practice focal points within the mission. ? Supports the SRSG/Head of Mission, Chief of Staff and other senior mission managers upon request, in identifying gaps in existing official guidance, as identified through needs assessments, evaluations, lessons learned studies, etc. and developing guidance where needed based on identified gaps resulting in improved mission performance. ? Provides inputs to draft guidance as needed, when consulted by UNHQ offices. ? Initiates and coordinates outreach activities, conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on policy, best practices and lessons learning issues. ? Facilitates and/or generates good practices and lessons learned on various mission work processes, operational responses, organizational systems, mandate implementation, etc. ? Research, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources. ? Collects, stores, and shares best practice materials originating in the mission with UNHQ and other missions through the Policy and Practice Database, Communities of Practice and other channels and information sharing fora. ? Prepares and shares with mission leadership syntheses of lessons learned and recommendations documented in the mission’s knowledge sharing reports, as required. ? Organizes follow-up action as required on studies undertaken, seminars or workshops on mission specific best practices and lessons learned activities. ? Liaises and coordinates with UN partner organizations, national and international organizations and academic institutions on all issues related to lessons learning and knowledge sharing. ? Provides other learning and research services to the mission as required. Supports the establishment of a mission-wide system of policy and guidance development based on lesson learned and good practice: ? Promotes the integration of lessons learned, good practices and other operational knowledge into work processes, guidance, and planning scenarios. ? Develops, on behalf of the mission management, an appropriate mechanism for considering and, following up on local-level recommendations generated by knowledge sharing mechanisms. ? Takes an active part in the network of Policy and Practices Officers and in developing and maintaining the network of mission focal points. ? In consultation with the Mission Chief of Staff and the senior mission leadership and supported by the Policy and Best Practices Section (UNHQ), assists the mission with designing and implementing a mission specific guidance development process. ? Supports the Mission Chief of Staff and other senior mission managers upon request, with the development, review, approval, and dissemination of mission specific guidance. ? Supports alignment of DPKO-DFS policy development priorities with mission guidance development priorities. ? In consultation with the Mission Chief of Staff and the senior mission leadership, and assisted by the Policy and Best Practices Section, supports coordination of and/or implements policy reviews and studies. ? Coordinates policy development on cross-cutting issues, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. ? Liaises with UN partner organizations, national and international organizations and academic institutions on all issues related to policy/guidance development. Serves as the head of the unit under the direct supervision of the mission Chief of staff: ? Supervises the work and staff of the Policy and Best Practice Unit. ? Prepares teamwork plan ensuring balance between maintenance and ad hoc tasks and projects. ? Monitors the implementation of activities against a timeline for deliverables and adopt contingency plans when faced with competing priorities. ? Ensures timely resource mobilization for team projects requiring extra budgetary resources. ? Provides advice and support to Military and Policy Best Practices Officers in the mission where they exist. ? Ensures effective team contribution to improved policies and best practices guidance and implementation.

Requirements:

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, peacekeeping, International Organizations, Business Administration and Management, public administration, human resources, social studies or humanities related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in international affairs, preferably in knowledge management, organizational learning, policy development or evaluation is required. Experience with leading, coordinating and communicating change management initiatives with diverse stakeholders is desirable. Experience in programme management/evaluation is desirable. Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable Experience in conflict or post conflict environment is desirable.

Languages

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