HEAD OF OFFICE, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Contract

This is a D-1 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 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 128,707 USD and 162,415 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 This position is in Bria in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The incumbent will report to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Field Offices Coordinator (DCOS/FCO). The Head of Office (HoO) is the most senior United Nations representative in the designated Area of Responsibility (AoR) and is responsible for implementing the Mission’s mandate and developing strategies for achieving these goals in the AoR using the political, institutional and financial resources available.

The HoO plays an important role in as he/she is responsible for the overall coordination of protection of civilians actions in the AoR. The HoO also leads the coordination of stabilization efforts, including coordination of the implementation of the Mission Concept and programs.

Responsibilities Within limits of delegated authority, the Head of Office’s responsibilities may include the following

Representational

• As the most senior United Nations official in the AoR, the HoO represents the MINUSCA with local authorities, senior government officials, international organizations, representatives of civil society and other senior stakeholders.
• Ensures the mission is fully engaged in any ongoing peace and political processes that the mission is mandated to support in the AoR.

Operational Management

• In consultation with substantive components at Mission Headquarters (HQ), lead, direct and coordinate the personnel, operations and programs of all civilian Mission components in the Field Office AoR, in line with the mandate and strategic guidance and priorities provided by Mission Headquarters, as well as applicable principles, rules and regulations.
• Ensure the operational functioning of the Field Office, in collaboration with Mission Support, the military, and the police.
• Formulate a comprehensive programme of work for the Field Office, including operational plans within the AoR, determining local priorities and activities that are in accordance with the mandate, that align with the strategic direction of the Mission and the Result-Based Budget (RBB) and which promote coherence and integration across the substantive units.
• Monitor and report on performance against targets/indicators developed in the local work plans, for example for mandated reporting to the General Assembly such as the RBB performance report/ Comprehensive Performance Assessment System (CPAS) and the Mission’s quarterly goals.
• Ensures that the resources provided to the Field Office are managed and used efficiently and effectively.
• Work in an integrated fashion with the Mission’s military and police components to ensure that their activities are aligned with Mission priorities and relevant frameworks and regulations, including vis-à-vis security management.
• Through delegated authority, act as Area Security Coordinator, responsible for implementing the UN security management framework, designed to ensure the protection of all UN staff and assets.
• Manage and oversee the development and implementation of projects supported by the mission;
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate civilian staff within the Field Office according to procedures established by the mission.

Analysis, Advice and Reporting

• Assess implications of local developments and emerging issues in the AoR and make recommendations to Mission leadership on possible strategies, actions, policies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives and UN principles and values; Ensure outcomes are monitored, evaluated and reported.
• Ensure regular, timely and high quality reporting to the Mission leadership on pertinent developments and issues; Oversee and manage the preparation of summary and analytical reports, including conflict analyses, situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file and draft code cables.
• Oversee the preparation of contextual information materials, such as background notes and profiles; Ensure an effective system of information management designed to guarantee accessibility and utility of information.

Planning, Coordination and Facilitation

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with the authorities, political and community leaders, civil society actors, the UN family and other national and international partners on operations, coordination and policy matters.
• Develop and lead outreach strategies targeting the local population, in order to cultivate ties, create/expand political space, foster inter-community dialogue and conflict resolution and develop an understanding of local perceptions and views on relevant issues, challenges and possible solutions thereto; Ensure that perceptions are factored into the Mission’s own activities and contribution to policy-making and planning processes.
• Consult and collaborate with institutional partners to increase understanding of issues and develop strategies and plans of action to address challenges, in pursuit of shared objectives.
• Promote coherence in the activities of the members of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT); Support the development and implementation of UN common planning and programming processes, including through the provision of substantive and practical assistance to related activities.

• Support and/or facilitate visits to the AoR by Mission delegations and/or other partners and stakeholders.

  Competencies Professionalism: Extensive understanding of conflict and post-conflict contexts, with proven ability to work under pressure in austere, insecure environments while maintaining resilience, integrity, productivity and effectiveness. Demonstrated capacity and willingness to learn and apply United Nations Secretariat rules and regulations in a sub-national field context. Proven ability to work in a diverse environment, including with uniformed personnel. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

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

Work Experience A minimum of fifteen (15) years with a master's or seventeen (17) years with bachelor 's degree of progressively responsible experience in political, civil or humanitarian affairs, human rights, programme management, or a related field is required. Extensive experience in outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. At least five (5) years of experience in the management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams is required. At least three (3) years of experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) or similar international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Previous experience in the implementation of peace agreement is desirable. Experience working in coordination with national or international military forces is highly desirable

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and French (oral and written) is required.

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 and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for 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.

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.