Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI), Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Section (DDRS). While the incumbent will report to the Chief of the DPO/Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Section, he/she will work in tandem with the Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Conventional Arms Branch (CAB) as part of the joint DPO-ODA initiative “Effective Weapons and Ammunition Management in a Changing DDR Context”. DPO provides political and executive direction to UN Peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPO also provides guidance and support on military, police, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions. Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) was established in 2007 to strengthen the links and coordinate the Department’s activities in the areas of police, justice and corrections, mine action and weapons/ammunition management, the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants and security sector reform. (https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/department-of-peacekeeping-operations). UNODA is responsible for supporting multilateral efforts in the area of disarmament, arms regulation and international security. The mandate for the Office derives from the priorities established in relevant General Assembly resolutions and decisions in the field of disarmament, including the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the Assembly, the first special session devoted to disarmament (resolution S-10/2). UNODA supports efforts in the area of weapons of mass destruction, conventional arms, including small arms and light weapons, and emerging weapons technologies. UNODA advises and assists the Secretary-General in the discharge of the Secretary-General’s responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations and the mandates given by the General Assembly, the Security Council and other organs of the United Nations system, in the area of disarmament, arms regulation and related security matters. The Conventional Arms Branch of UNODA works to support greater mutual confidence and transparency among Member States in the field of conventional arms and to facilitate their efforts in deliberations on the regulation and limitation of conventional weapons, including small arms and light weapons.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of the DPO-UNODA project on “Effective Weapons and Ammunition Management in a Changing DDR Context”; Monitors and analyzes project development and implementation; Reviews relevant documents and reports, identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; Liaises with relevant project partners; Identifies and tracks follow-up actions; • Provide briefings to the Inter-Agency Working Group on DDR (IAWG) and Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA) mechanism, ass needed; • Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources; • Assists in the development of policies and additional resource materials, including a generic standard operating procedure on weapons and ammunition management in DDR/Community Violence Reduction settings; • Coordinates the regular review, translation, and dissemination of project materials and resources; • Prepares various written outputs, including background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications; • Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Engages regional organizations (African Union, European Union) in the course of the implementation of the project and provides them with regular updates; • Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Coordinate the development of training materials, including through coordination with the Integrated DDR Training Group; • Participates in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries; • Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget); • Performs other duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in relevant Secretariat units and in UN funds, programs and other UN specialized agencies. Representatives and officials in national governments, international organizations, consultants, academia. Results Expected: Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates assigned programme/projects. Provides thorough, well reasoned written contributions, e.g., background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. Develops and maintains effective working relationships. Promulgate coherent policies, and consistent adherence to these by clients. Efficiently uses of resources. Builds partnerships with relevant project partners and other entities.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of DDR concepts and approaches; Knowledge of peacekeeping mandates and structures in the field; excellent research, analytical and problem solving skills; ability to work with minimal supervision and define priorities. 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. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent degree) in the field of Political Science, International Relations or related area. 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

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, development or related area are required. Experience in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, small arms control and/or conflict/post-conflict crisis management is required. Experience working in a large multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team and coordinating with multiple partner agencies, funds or programmes is desirable. Experience in coordinating and delivering training is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nation language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.