Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration 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 147,917 USD and 190,709 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 United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was created in 2010 to strengthen the United Nations’ interaction with the African Union. UNOAU is mandated to contribute to enhancing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in the area of peace and security, provide coordinated and consistent United Nations advice to the African Union on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support, and streamline the United Nations presence in Addis Ababa to be more cost-effective and efficient in delivering United Nations assistance to the African Union. UNOAU plays a key role in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, signed by the United Nations Secretary-General and Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 19 April 2017.

This position is located at the Political Affairs Section at UNOAU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Within delegated authority, the incumbent of the post reports to the Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Works closely in cooperation with other Rule of Law and Security Institutions staff (notably the Security Sector Reform (SSR), Gender, Human Rights, Police and Mine Action Officers) in order to create synergies between the different programmes and improve overall strategic cooperation between the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and the United Nations.

• Ensures day-to-day coordination with the UN DDR section in Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and acts as the policy focal point for all UN entities wishing to collaborate with the AU on DDR and responds to requests.

• Coordinates and liaises with UN teams in the field and at Headquarters level to facilitate interaction with relevant counterparts in the African Union and RECs/RMs, as well as ensuring effective coordination with other substantive units in UNOAU, while facilitating the UN approach to DDR and the implementation of nationally owned processes.

• Assists in maintaining and further development of the partnership with the AU on DDR.

• Assists the AU Commission Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) Department and its Divisions, notably the DDR and SSR Division as part of the Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate in the planning of strategic, technical and operational components of its work and in the day-to-day coordination of its activities with UN missions, agencies and entities and other partners.

• Works in close coordination with the AU DDR and SSR Division and with other relevant AU divisions and programs to align work, including AU gender/WPS/YPS experts, the Post Conflict, Reconstruction Division (PCRD), and Peace Support Operations, as well as programs such as the Agenda 2063 and Silencing the Guns.

• Supports the AU Commission and RECs/RMs in developing, reviewing, revising, promoting and disseminating operational guidelines and toolkits to assist in designing and building institutional frameworks for national DDR programs, and where necessary to assist the AU throughout all phases of Peace Support Operations (PSO).

• Assists the African Union and RECs/RMs in the strategic planning of DDR field operations in accordance with the mandate of the African Union, its legal instruments and policies.

• Supports the African Union and RECs/RMs in coordinating its DDR policy development, including program and project development, the review and analysis of issues and trends, best practices, lessons learned, preparation of impact evaluation, monitoring, assessments or other research activities and studies.

• Provides strategic and technical inputs to the planning, design and implementation of programmes/projects, best practices and lessons learned as well as strategic and technical advice, guidance and assistance to key counterparts in the AU, AU member states, AU PSOs (e.g. the AU DDR/SSR division, National DDR Commissions, government representatives, etc.); consults with relevant stakeholders through inclusive and participatory processes.

• Builds and maintains partnerships necessary to maximize the impact of his/her work.

• Ensures implementation of human rights, Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) and gender related policies in all DDR activities.

• Supports the UNOAU in taking a holistic approach to DDR, by emphasizing linkages between cross-cutting issues including, but not limited to, SSR, gender, Women Peace and Security, Youth Peace and Security, human rights, climate and prevention. This includes a close working relationship with other UNOAU colleagues on these topics.

• In close consultation with the African Union, assists in identifying, establishing and maintaining contacts and partnerships with other international and national actors in assigned areas of responsibility with a view to pursuing DDR objectives and ensuring participation in and effective integration of ideas in the planning and implementation of DDR activities.

• Consults with relevant stakeholders through inclusive and participatory processes, ensuring appropriate integration and linkages with critical areas/components of wider rule of law support to AU member states.

• Leads and/or participates in technical/joint field missions, etc., including provision of advice to government officials of AU member states and other relevant parties; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; ensures follow-up actions.

• Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues; manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.

• Prepares and/or supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.

• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings (e.g. conferences, workshops) to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; assists in the planning of high level visits.

• Supports UNOAU management in day-to-day activities, programmatic/substantive reviews of work and draft reports prepared by others in her/his area of responsibility.

• Supports the UNOAU management in day-to-day activities, programmatic/substantive reviews of work and draft reports prepared by others in her/his area of responsibility.

• Supports the development of the AU Small Arms and Light Weapons initiatives and facilitates cooperation and coordination with the Office of Disarmament Affairs (ODA) through the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC)

• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Expert knowledge of Rule of Law and SSR (concepts, terminology, research, and policy), in particular security sector-wide issues, with special emphasis on security sector governance, civilian oversight, management and coordination. Strong analytical skills and excellent skills in drafting a broad range of documents including speeches and reports; Ability to influence others to reach agreement; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Ability to work in support of, and in cooperation with, others within a multilateral setting; Anticipates and manages risk; Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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.

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 & 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

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in political affairs, business administration/management, public administration, DDR management, international relations or 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

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the area/s of DDR, political affairs, defense sector reform, DDR governance, strategic support to institutional development, disarmament or a related area is required.

Experience in rule of law and security institutions strategy or policy development, programme/project planning, management, review and evaluation is required.

Experience in a field operation in an international organization, non-governmental organization, or within the United Nations common system (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programs), preferably in a conflict, post conflict or peace building context, in Africa is required.

Experience working on political affairs, peace and security issues in support of the African Union and its partner institutions, including Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms, is desirable.

Experience in the coordination, development and implementation of DDR programmes and projects in conflict and/or post-conflict contexts is desirable.

Experience in the facilitation of recognized DDR-related training courses is desirable.

Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities maybe provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Oct 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

Education qualification exceeding the specified requirement of this job opening including university degrees and certificates shall not give rise to additional entitlements or benefits, or facilitate a move to the Professional category. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only a few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visithttps://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP

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.