Director Political Affairs (DSRSG), D-2

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 10-POL-UNPOS-424867-R-NAIROBI
Remuneration
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
More Info
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities
This post is in the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) and is at the D-2 level. The Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary-General (DSRSG) will be expected to be available immediately. The DSRSG of UNPOS reports to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and acts as Officer-in-Charge in her/his absence. Under the delegated authority of the SRSG and on his/her behalf, the DSRSG directs and manages the Mission’s activities in both the substantive and administrative areas, including political affairs, security sector development, electoral/civil affairs, human rights, gender affairs, public information, joint planning, human resources and budget. The DSRSG is expected to contribute to the overall implementation of UNPOS’ mandate, as outlined in the relevant Security Council resolutions. The DSRSG will assist the SRSG in supervising and coordinating UNPOS’ peace consolidation activities through the overall management of the above-mentioned substantive units and sections. Within delegated authority, the DSRSG will:Advise the SRSG on all matters related to the implementation of the Mission’s mandated tasks. Support the SRSG to develop a consensus vision for the strategic objectives of the mission that all members of the senior management team understand and can articulate to their respective staff and components. Assist the SRSG in the coordination of mediation efforts among stakeholders, including conducting “good offices” on behalf of the SRSG. Ensure liaison and effective coordination with AMISOM and the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA). Develop and maintain relations with government, political and military officials, all relevant political actors, civil society and NGOs at the appropriate level and advance the mission’s objectives. Assist the SRSG in maintaining close contact with regional organizations, governments of interested Member States, NGOs and bilateral donors, as appropriate. Assist the SRSG in ensuring that the efforts of the different components of the UN Country Team are mutually reinforcing and complementary with respect to peace support. Ensure that high quality political analysis is provided to the SRSG. Oversee the Electoral/Civil Affairs Office, the Political Affairs Office, the Office of the Legal Adviser, the Gender Affairs Section, the Humanitarian Affairs Unit, the Human Rights Section, the Senior Police Adviser, the Military Adviser, and Joint Planning Unit. Provide overall guidance for the management of the administrative component of the office including the development of the Results Based Budget process. Ensure that the heads of the above-mentioned components have clear Terms of Reference and that their work plans and those of their staff are in-line with the mission’s overall strategic objectives. Core values:Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in behaviours and actions; does not abuse authority; and, leads by example in demonstrating the highest standard of conduct of the United Nations. Respect for Diversity: Shows respect for diverse points of view and demonstrates this in decision-making; demonstrates understanding and respect of local culture, language and traditions of the field mission; works effectively with people from all backgrounds; ensures the existence of mechanisms to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and to foster respect for women’s rights; and, does not discriminate against any individual or group.

Competencies
Professionalism - Expert knowledge of and wide exposure to political, human rights and security issues as well as the management of complex, multidisciplinary teams/organization. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations. Leadership - Ability to translate political mandates and requirements into managerial action; ability to translate vision into comprehensive and holistic strategies and to translate strategies into achievable programmes of action; shows conceptual flexibility to adapt to changing environments; takes risks to advance implementation of mission mandates; and, mobilizes effective support from within and outside the mission. Vision - Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; and, links overall objectives and goals to activities of work units; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction. Judgement/Decision-making - Mature political judgement and initiative combined with strong analytical skills; takes decisions and courses of action that satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision while operating within the organizational regulations and rules; and, assumes responsibility and accountability for judgement and decisions. Team-building -Demonstrated ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavour; ability to build inclusive and productive teams whose members feel valued and enabled to work to shared goals and shared results; ability to promote good morale; and, ability to work in a multi-dimensional, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment. Communication - Excellent communication and presentational skills; ability to defend and explain difficult issues, key decisions and positions to senior officials of Governments, NGOs, intergovernmental bodies, the media and other parties; and, ability to communicate vision and strategies. Managing Performance - Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor the work of others; and, ability to motivate, coach and mentor staff and encourage good performance. Managing Performance Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor the work of others; and, ability to motivate, coach and mentor staff and encourage good performance.


QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Social Science, Law or a related field. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy, good offices including in bilateral and multilateral negotiations, and political analysis is required. Senior level experience serving in conflict, post-conflict, or development settings at the national and/or international level is required. Experience serving with the United Nations system, in particular in the field, in a combination of areas including conflict prevention, mediation, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, human rights, development and/or humanitarian assistance is required. Demonstrated track record of excellent management and leadership skills in a multicultural environment is essential. Sound knowledge of and experience working in reconciliation and conflict resolution, human rights and security issues in the Horn of Africa would be highly desirable.

Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. French and Arabic are an asset.

Other Skills
Excellent drafting skills are essential.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

How to apply

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.

Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.

1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.

2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.

3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.

4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.

E-mail: staffing@un.org,

Fax: 1-212-963-2800
Deadline 4th NOV 2010

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