CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,970 USD and 117,287 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The 2 positions are located in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). The Civil Affairs Officers will be based in Goma and Beni and will report operationally and substantively to the respective Head of Office and Chief of Service, Civil Affairs.

MONUSCO’s mandate is based on Security Council Resolution 2502 (2019). Civil Affairs has a significant field presence in the Mission area and contribute to a number of the mandated tasks including, inter alia, the protection of civilians and support for the implementation of the stabilization process, including efforts in favor of the extension of state authority. More specifically, the Civil Affairs component contribute to the development and implementation of a reconciliation and conflict prevention strategy that includes activities in local communities in coordination with civil society organizations and national partners. Civil Affairs also play a key role in developing and implementing the mission’s strategy in support of the extension and restoration of state authority, in the areas of local governance and promotion of state-society relationship. In particular, Civil Affairs work to support the host government to ensure that essential state institutions are present in the most populated areas freed from armed groups and that they function in accordance with the constitutional order and in a manner responsive to the needs of the population, including by providing a reasonable level of essential services.

The Civil Affairs Officer will contribute to the formulation of the mission’s strategic plan, provide guidance and assistance to various components in MONUSCO; and provide advice on government strategies, policies and regulatory frameworks, to strengthen institutional capacities to promote effective and accountable governance for better service delivery and inclusion of all Congolese. The incumbent will submit accurate analysis and reporting of issues and actions in well written and concise reports. S/he effectively works with the governance institutions, including government and community-based organizations, as well as the international community.

Responsibilities Within the limits of delegated authority, the Civil Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Represents the mission as required and ensures that all relevant governmental and nongovernmental actors are coordinated in support of the governance priorities identified by the government.
• Provides information and analysis for the Mission and other actors where applicable, on governance dynamics that impact political, social and economic issues affecting conflict dynamics at the local and regional level, including analysis on how these relate to the national level and vice versa. Ensures a sound methodology for identifying concerns and perceptions of the local governance, and ensures these are effectively communicated to the Mission, as well as other actors where appropriate. Identifies emerging issues and critical peacebuilding and governance gaps.
• Ensures a shared understanding of the Mission environment, mandate and operations amongst Mission actors at the regional or local level, uniformed components, to support consistency and coherence of approach. •Establishes and fosters effective working relations with members of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT)
• Troubleshoots problems that arise at the regional or local level that threaten mandate implementation and the progress of the peace process. Formulates recommendations concerning Mission broader actions and approaches required at regional or local level, mobilizes a response from other actors where appropriate.
• Identifies, manages and evaluates individual Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) intended for confidence building purposes at the local level, in line with the DPO Policy Directive on QIPs and mission specific priorities.
• Supervises, monitors and encourages the work of officers under his/her responsibility in undertaking the full range of their duties.
• Identifies and researches good practice and lessons learned in Civil Affairs work and shares these with colleagues, including through active participation in the online Civil Affairs Network.
• Proactively contributes to overall mission monitoring and planning.

Conflict Management and protection of civilians

• Develops strategies aimed at strengthening local governance for regional or local level conflict management work in line with the wider strategy including mechanisms for information-sharing, crisis response and protection of civilians as needed.
• Facilitates and supports dialogue between governance institutions and civil societies by convening structured meetings and similar activities.
• Updates regularly Civil Society networks both at the national and sub national levels including youth and women groups.
• Assists Civil Society Joint Working Groups to coordinate joint position on policy, peace and governance issues.
• Promotes and protects equity and inclusivity, in particular of women and youths, through advocacy in full respect of humanitarian and international law.
• Identifies and supports Civil Society networks and/or institutions that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation.

Support to State Institutions:

• Provides a strategy for effective cooperation between MONUSCO/UN and state institutions at the national or local level, in line with the wider strategy and in coordination with other actors.
• Assists governance institutions and mechanisms to assess capacity building and support needs, working with partners including the UNCT and in particular UNDP. Helps to design and mobilise a coordinated response to these needs from relevant actors.
• Designs and implements appropriate and practical Civil Affairs support to local authorities, including mentoring and provision of supporting to policy and decision-making processes where appropriate.
• Supports dialogue and cooperation between authorities and relevant interest groups with the aim of creating political space and accountability. Provides support to the development of structures of accountability and transparency.
• Initiates and/or supports events such as town-hall meetings to foster development of political space at the local level. Initiates and/or supports civic education programmes at the local level on a range of issues, including elections, policy issues, and good governance principles, in coordination with local authorities and/or civil society actors.

Programme Management:

• Support the respective Head of Office and Chief of Civil Affairs in all aspects of their role. Acts as Coordinator of Civil Affairs in Beni and Deputy Head CAS in Goma and perform other duties as required, including assuming a management and leadership role in support of the Goma Head CAS and Beni Head of Office and/or in her/his absence.
• Manages the local Civil Affairs office in Goma, 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 Missions 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.
• Provide advice with respect to subnational governance and civil service reform issues. Contributes to design of the Governance annual workplan and ensures synergies of work with other components as relevant, ensuring consistency of approach and efficiency of output.
• Advises Mission of issues concerning governance in the context of Mission-wide peace initiatives, as required.
• Contribute towards efforts to researching, identifying and sharing good practices and lessons learned with the Civil Affairs component and the global Civil Affairs community.

• Performs other duties as required, in line with the DPO Policy Directive on Civil Affairs.

  Competencies Professionalism:

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.

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 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.

Managing Performance:

Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, law, international relations, public administration, social sciences, anthropology, economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in social sciences, governance, international relations, civil affairs or other related area.

Of these seven years, a minimum of 4 years demonstrated in both protection of civilians and management of a large and diverse team is desirable.

Experience working on support to state institutions, and/or programme management, security, political and institutional analysis; planning and organizing, women’s empowerment, youth empowerment, and /or development of civil society is desirable.

A minimum of 2 years of experience working in a UN Peacekeeping Operation or Special Political Mission is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English and knowledge of French is required. Fluency in French is desirable.

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

Special Notice The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

• This position is temporarily available until [specific date]. 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.

  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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.