Associate Policy and Best Practices Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

This position is located in Bangui, in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Associate Policy and Best Practices Officer (APBPO) reports to the Mission’s Chief of Staff through the Policy and Best Practices Officer (PBPO).

Assignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July - 30 June) up to a maximum of 4 years. Contract renewals are granted based on Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory performance.

Duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.

Under the direct supervision of the PBPO, the APBPO will carry out the following duties:

1) Promote and facilitate organization learning and the sharing of knowledge within the Mission and between the Mission and other missions and UNHQ:

• In consultation with the PBPO and the Chief of Staff and assisted by the Policy and Best Practices Service at UN Headquarters, support the knowledge management action plan that will address the Mission's operational learning needs;

• Promote the active use throughout the Mission of the DPO-DOS 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 practices focal points within the Mission;

• Support the 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;

• Provide inputs to draft guidance as needed, when consulted by UNHQ offices;

• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities, conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on policy, best practices and lessons learning issues;

• Facilitate and/or generate good practices and lessons learned on various Mission work processes, operational responses, organizational systems, mandate implementation, etc.;

• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources;

• Collect, store and share 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;

• Prepare and share with Mission leadership syntheses of lessons learned and recommendations documented in the Mission's knowledge sharing reports, as required;

• Organize follow-up action as required on studies undertaken, seminars or workshops on Mission-specific best practices and lessons learned activities;

• Liaise and coordinate with UN partner organizations, national and international organizations and academic institutions on all issues related to lessons learning and knowledge sharing;

• Provide other learning and research services to the Mission as required.

2) Support the establishment of a Mission-wide system of guidance development based on lessons learned and good practice:

• Promote the integration of lessons learned, good practices and other operational knowledge into work processes, guidance, and planning scenarios;

• Develop, on behalf of the Mission management, an appropriate mechanism for considering and, following up on local-level recommendations generated by knowledge sharing mechanisms;

• Take an active part in the network of Policy and Best 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 Service (UNHQ), assist the Mission with designing and implementing a mission-specific guidance development process;

• Support the Mission Chief of Staff and other senior Mission managers upon request, with the development, review, approval and dissemination of mission-specific guidance;

• Support alignment of DPO-DOS 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 Service (UNHQ), support coordination of and/or implement policy reviews and studies;

• Coordinate policy development on cross-cutting issues, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies;

• Liaise with UN partner organizations, national and international organizations and academic institutions on all issues related to policy/guidance development.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

international affairs, preferably in the area of knowledge management, organizational learning, policy development or evaluation. Experience with coordinating and communicating change management with diverse stakeholders is highly 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 a conflict or post-conflict environment is desirable.

The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am.

The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along the way.

This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer goods are available, but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market.

There is no MINUSCA guesthouse in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 1000 USD for a small apartment with basic furniture, but no power generator and interrupted running water supply, to 2,000+ USD with all commodities.

A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well.

Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.

A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency.

The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.