CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICER United Kingdom
Job description
These positions are located in the United Nations Field Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions, Service Centres and Offices as applicable. The Civil Affairs Officer at this level reports to the Chief of Section/Service, or Civil Affairs Officer. S/he will contribute to the formulation of the mission’s strategic plan, provide guidance and assistance to government departments and districts, and develop necessary guidelines, policies and technical capacity to ensure effective management of public and private sector activities. Submits accurate analysis and reporting of issues and actions in well written and concise reports, effectively works with the local community, including government and community-based organizations as well as the international community.
ResponsibilitiesCore profile
- Provides information and analysis for the Mission and other actors where applicable, on 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 that the concerns and perceptions of the local population are effectively communicated to the Mission, as well as other actors where appropriate.
- Represents the mission at the local level as required.
- Contributes to a shared understanding of the Mission environment, mandate and operations amongst Mission actors at the local level, in particular uniformed components, to support consistency and coherence of approach.
- Develops and maintains strong networks and partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including local authorities, civil society actors, communities and other UN agencies, in order to facilitate a more integrated and mutually reinforcing approach to addressing new risks and challenges.
- Leads Mission’s efforts at the local level on community engagement within the broader scope of the Mission’s political strategy and mandate.
- Contributes to the formulation of recommendations concerning Mission actions and approaches required at the local level, assists in mobilising a response from other actors where appropriate.
- Monitors and assesses emerging risks and challenges related to climate change, the use of social media to incite violence, misinformation and disinformation, and develop and implement targeted interventions to address these risks and prevent conflict.
- Manages individual Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) intended for confidence building purposes at the local level, in line with DPO Policy 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, including – where applicable- Community Liaison Assistants (CLAs).
- Identifies and researches good practice and lessons learned in Civil Affairs work and shares these with colleagues.
- Contributes to overall mission monitoring and planning as required.
- Performs other duties as required, in line with the DPO Policy on Civil Affairs.
Conflict Management
- Supports dialogue, social cohesion and reconciliation initiatives between groups and/or communities in conflict in the area of responsibility by convening structured meetings and similar activities in collaboration with local authorities, where applicable.
- Supports the implementation of social cohesion work and Protection of Civilians mandated activities through effective representation, community engagement, coordination and integrated approach
- Promotes and protects the interest of excluded and/or threatened groups through advocacy in full respect of humanitarian and international law.
- Engages with local authorities, civil society actors and communities to promote the responsible use of social media and to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
- Supports civil society groups and/or institutions at the local level that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation. Assists them, including, where appropriate, in becoming effective implementing partners for Quick Impact Projects.
- Promotes the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in peacebuilding efforts, by engaging with these groups to ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes, and by supporting the development of targeted interventions to promote gender equality, gender-based violence and discrimination.
Support to State Institutions
- Assists local institutions to assess capacity building and support needs, working with partners including the UNCT and in particular UNDP. Helps to design a coordinated response to these needs from relevant actors.
- Assists in the design and implementation of appropriate and practical Civil Affairs support to local authorities, including mentoring and support 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 and provides support to the development of structures of accountability and transparency.
- Supports government efforts to establish and/or revitalize existing coordination mechanism to strengthen local governance initiatives and programs, promote State-society dialogue and UN integrated approach to the restoration and extension State authority.
- Supports events such as public fora or town-hall meetings to foster development of political space at the local level. 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
- Manages a local field office or team, undertaking or overseeing the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for its functioning.
- Manages QIPs projects in accordance with Mission priorities and the DPO policy on QIPs, including during the identification, selection, implementation, and monitoring phase of a project.
- Contributes to the development and delivery of induction briefings on civil affairs related work and proactively implements guidance provided by the Department of Peace Operations or the Mission in the implementation of mandated tasks.
- Serves as focal point on gender for the Civil Affairs component, identifying and communicating ways to ensure that a gender perspective is considered in all aspects of Civil Affairs work.
- Serves as focal point for researching, identifying, and sharing good practices and lessons learned with the Civil Affairs component and the global Civil Affairs community.
- Collaborates with concerned stakeholders to develop programmatic funding proposals to support the implementation of mandate objectives.
- Performs other related work as required.
- 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.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics or related area. A first-level degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies, with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Civil Affairs-related work in or in support of UN field operations or similar interventions by other international organizations, National or International NGOs, or community-based organizations, research institutions or related field is required.
At least one (1) year of experience working in conflict management, facilitation, mediation, social cohesion, reconciliation, community engagement or negotiation skills and support to governance efforts is desirable.
Experience working in programme/project management with international governmental or non-governmental organizations, including experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects, budgeting or financial reporting is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special NoticeThe United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.
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 roster.
The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Civil Affairs Officer, P-3 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.
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.
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.
