Chief of Service, Civil Affairs, D-1

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Civil Affairs Division of the United Nations United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Chief of Service, Civil Affairs Officer will be based in Bangui. The incumbent reports to the Deputy/SRSG-RC/HC

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Service, Civil Affairs, will be responsible for the following duties:

Core profile:

• Contributes to and shares decision making on policy direction and development of the strategic vision for the overall Mission and UN effort. The incumbent contributes to policy and programme formulation and strategic vision which executed in multiple phases. S/he is also responsible to identify problems and propose solutions based on through analysis.
• Ensures that Civil Affairs work is clearly conceptualized in support of this, in line with the evolving situation on the ground and in accordance with the DPKO/DFS Civil Affairs Policy Directive.
• Develops and formulates and implements the substantive work programme of Civil Affairs, in consultation with key partners inside and outside the Mission, taking account of gender consideration and ensuring that the component functions as one part of the coherent overall UN effort to support the peace process.
• Develops new approaches on activities and performance expectations to component staff and oversees the management of programmed activities including the delivery of high-quality outputs and results.
• Designs and institutes effective partnership and information-sharing arrangements with both relevant Mission and non-Mission actors, including the UN Country Team (UNCT). Oversees and ensures effective cooperation and coordination on the ground with all partners by Civil Affairs component staff. Ensures that all Mission and non-Mission partners are clear about the role and contributions of the Civil Affairs component.
• Ensures that the Mission and its mandate is effectively and consistently represented to relevant interlocutors at the sub-national level by the Civil Affairs component (and the Mission actors where appropriate), and that the perceptions and concerns of all sectors of the population are accurately fed into Mission-wide situation analysis and planning processes with full understanding of the complex operations and multiple disciplines.
• Provides the Mission’s leadership with high-quality information and consistent analysis concerning conflict dynamics at the sub-national level and progress with or obstacles to the peace process countrywide, including via identification of critical peacebuilding gaps.
• Advocates for, and provides contextual advice to the Mission on, adherence to the principle of local ownership in the execution of its mandate.
• Institutes and oversees the programme management system for Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in line with the DPKO Policy Directive on QIPs, including through setting up projects management and approval mechanisms, proposing mission-specific priorities and ensuring impact evaluation.
• Oversees and manages the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of Civil Affairs, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, evaluation of candidates, and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. Ensures an appropriate balance of skills and specializations is recruited to the Civil Affairs component, in accordance with (and where possible anticipating) evolving requirements over time.
• Fosters team spirit among Civil Affairs staff, ensures they are provided with the requisite guidance and training to fulfil their tasks (including mission-specific induction and skills training), oversees the systematic identification of lessons and good practice and the sharing of these with Civil Affairs components in other Missions, and encourages free and active participation by all component staff in the online Civil Affairs Community of Practice.
• Performs other duties as required, in line with the DPKO/DFS Policy Directive on Civil Affairs.

Conflict Management:

• Provides leadership and vision for the development of a Civil Affairs or (where appropriate) Mission-wide conflict management strategy, including mechanisms for information-sharing, consistent conflict mapping, crisis response and protection of civilians as needed.
• Promotes a culture of peace and reconciliation by identifying appropriate domestic actors and/or processes and designing strategies for the Civil Affairs component to support them at both national and sub-national levels.
• Convenes or oversees support to national level dialogue and negotiation between groups in conflict at the local level. Facilitates, enables, or mediates dialogue where appropriate.
• Forges partnerships with relevant actors to advocate the protection and empowerment of excluded and/or threatened groups in full respect of humanitarian and international law.
• Identifies and coordinates a response to specific conflict drivers countrywide, including by mobilizing a response from other actors where appropriate.

Support the restoration and extension of the state authority:

• Provides leadership and vision for the development of a Civil Affairs or(where appropriate) Mission-wide strategy to support the restoration and extension of the state authority at the sub-national level with a view to, strengthening local ownership of the peace process, building capacity, promoting cooperation between authorities and relevant community and social actors, as well as supporting operations, policy and decision-making processes as appropriate.
• Forges partnerships with other actors in this area, including the UN Country Tean (UNCT) and particularly UNDP.
• Oversees work with national / local authorities and other partners to identify critical support needs of local authorities and to design strategies for responding to them, either through Civil Affairs support or through mobilization of other actors and resources.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of Civil Affairs, ability to translate theoretical concepts into concrete actions for the extension of state authority. 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.
• 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.
• 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. 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.
• 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 social science, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 15 years’ experience in Civil Affairs, Political Affairs, Public Administration, or related field, with a minimum of five (5) years in or in support of a field operations of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization, or National or International NGOs, international bilateral organizations is required.
• Out of these years, a minimum of five (5) years should be in a management position with responsibility for developing and implementing a strategic programme with both personnel and resource management responsibilities. a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a position requiring conflict management, facilitation, mediation or negotiation skills, with an emphasizes on analytical and strategic planning functions,
• Experience in facilitating structured dialogue events between different parties, and reconciliation activities and processes is desirable. a minimum of five (5) years in working on governance, support to core government functions, or related areas.
• Experience in policy advice in the area of institution strengthening and governance support in post-conflict setting is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and French is required.

Application instructions

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