Protection of Civilians Officer, P-3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Policy and Best Practices Service of the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The Protection of Civilians Officer (PoC Officer) reports to the Team Leader of the Protection of Civilians Team (POCT) and is responsible for supporting POC mandate implementation in UN peacekeeping. DPO provides political and executive direction to UN Peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of United Nations peacekeeping. In addition, the division has the responsibility to evaluate, at the request of the heads of the departments, how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices, and use that information to guide the development, coordination and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Protection Civilians Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Assists in improving the implementation of protection of civilians mandates in UN peacekeeping operations, and in close consultation with specialized protection experts, uniformed expertise and relevant regional desks;
• Develops, implements and evaluates POC policy, guidance and implementation strategies; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; works to ensure that political strategies, peacebuilding and sustaining peace in peacekeeping operations inform POC mandates and vice versa; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions;
• Works closely with DPO and DOS offices, including the Regional Pillar, Office of Military Affairs and the Office of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions to determine how POC can be more effectively integrated into the mission planning processes for which they are responsible;
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources;
• Provides specialist inputs on POC into cross-cutting guidance, training and planning materials;
• Contributes to and provides analysis of ongoing POC policy debates, including in Member State and research fora;
• Contributes to POC lessons learned exercises, including generating and analyzing surveys; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions;
• Drafts written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics and activities;
• Participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting missions summaries, etc.;
• Contributes to activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports;
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the role and mandate of peacekeeping operations implementing the POC mandate. Demonstrated awareness of the key challenges facing the implementation of POC mandates by peacekeeping operations, including with respect to issues such as the coordination of POC implementation within missions. Ability to understand the differing concepts of POC, the various actors involved in POC and the elements involved in the implementation of POC-related work. Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area. 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.
• 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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.

Education

• A first-level or advanced degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, human rights with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the protection of civilians in armed conflict, with experience working on developing and managing POC political or programmatic activities is required. Experience working in or in support of UN peace operations is required.

Languages

• English and French are the working language of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Application instructions

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