SENIOR GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 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 located in the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Policy Analysis and Monitoring Branch. The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa is responsible for providing integrated advice, promoting coherence, monitoring the implementation of commitments and coordinating global advocacy in support of Africa’s development. More information on the Office can be found in the website https://www.un.org/osaa/

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Senior Governance and Public Administration Officer will be responsible for developing analysis, policies, programmes and strategies on governance, public administration, institution building and development management, particularly with regard to the linkages between sustainable development and sustainable peace in Africa. In particular:

Governance and Public Administration analysis •Leads or provides major inputs in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes of governance, public administration, institution-building and development management, particularly with regard to the interrelation between governance, public administration and the provision of public services with conflict, peace and stability in Africa, as well as in the formulation of possible strategies, policies and actions for adoption by Member States and/or the international community on the abovementioned issues •Leads or participates extensively in the identification of new or emerging issues of potential concern to Member States and/or the international community affecting Africa, with regard to governance, public administration, public service provision and their interrelation with conflict, peace and stability, and leads in the development of programmes to address them. •Provides authoritative advice to the Special Adviser on Africa on a number of thematic issues on the nexus between peace and security, human rights, humanitarian affairs and development in Africa; leads in the collection and analysis of data and information on these issues. •Commissions and oversees studies and analyses that cannot be undertaken internally on governance, public administration, institution-building and development management, particularly with regard to the interrelation between governance, public administration and the provision of public services with conflict, peace and stability in Africa. •Plans, designs, supervises and undertakes substantive research, studies, and prepares or reviews reports, and publications included in the Office’s programme of work, particularly with regard to the nexus between peace and security, human rights, humanitarian affairs and development. •Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the finalization of OSAA’s outputs. •Writes, supervises and finalizes reports on governance, public administration, institution-building and development management particularly with regard to the interrelation between governance, public administration and the provision of public services with conflict, peace and stability in Africa for issuance by the Office. •Prepares briefing notes and speeches for more senior staff and makes presentations on governance, public administration, institution building and development management related issues and their interaction with conflict, peace and stability for specialist or non-specialist audiences. •Prepares and finalizes sectoral, country or regional analytical studies on governance, public administration, institution building and development management, particularly with regard to their interrelation with conflict, peace and stability in particular country or region situations. •Leads the development of a research agenda, oversees the development of key trends and specific topics on the abovementioned issues to continuously enrich the substantive work of OSAA.

Intergovernmental support •Provides direct substantive support on governance, public administration, institution-building and development management, particularly with regard to their interrelation with conflict, peace and stability to intergovernmental bodies such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council, among others, by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus; •Prepares and manages meetings of intergovernmental bodies on the abovementioned issues; •Represents the Office at international, regional and national meetings on governance, public administration, institution-building and development management issues.

Technical cooperation •Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of Member Governments and ensures a response to requests for advice and/or assistance on governance, public administration, institution-building and development management issues and policies, particularly with a focus on their interrelation with conflict, peace and stability. •Negotiates with donor and recipient governments on technical assistance programmes and projects on the abovementioned issues. •Organizes and coordinates cooperation among Member States on governance, public administration, institution-building and development management programmes or issues particularly with a focus on their interrelation with conflict, peace and stability. •Leads or participates in technical cooperation missions. •Plans, designs and oversees implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects in governance, public administration, institution-building and development management, particularly with a focus on their interrelation with conflict, peace and stability, and manages major projects or studies. •Leads and finalizes the development of a research agenda and studies in support of programme and project formulation. •Takes a leading role in supervising the administration of technical support of seminars and workshops organized by the Office and its partners. •Participates in and, when required, leads, the Office’s interaction with scholars, academia and civil society on governance, public administration, institution-building and development management, particularly with regard to the interrelation between governance, public administration and the provision of public services with conflict, peace and stability in Africa.

Programme support •Functions as head of a team. •Actively participates and provides major inputs in the formulation of the medium-term plan, the programme of work and the budget of the Office and participates in the formulation of the organization’s overall programme of work and other similar endeavors; •Maintains records and data related to programmes within his/her responsibility. •Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies •Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of governance, public administration and development theories, principles and applications. Ability to produce quality reports and publications in selected areas of governance, public administration and development management. 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.

•Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

•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 improvements; 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.

•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 degree) in public administration, governance, sustainable development, political science, social science, business administration, law, public finance or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in governance, public administration, development management, political affairs or related areas is required. Experience in developing policies, projects, programmes and/or strategies is desirable. Experience in managing people, projects, deadlines and information is desirable. Experience on Africa issues is desirable. Experience in analyzing the interplay of sustainable development and governance systems and institutions at the national and international levels, in institution-building, conflict prevention, human rights or humanitarian affairs is desirable. Experience working in other UN entities dealing with nexus issues is desirable. Experience collaborating with Member States, other international organizations and civil society is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available starting as soon as possible until 30 September 2021, with a possibility of extension. 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.