Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) based in Juba. The Senior Security Sector Reform (SSR) Officer reports to the Chief of Service, Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section (RoLSIS) under the direct responsibility of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG)/Political. The focus of the position is on the provision of strategic advice in support of nationally-owned SSR efforts and in supporting the overall leadership and management of SSR operations on behalf of the UNMISS.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the DSRSG-Political and the direct authority of the Chief of Service, RoLSIS, the Senior SSR Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Provides strategic and technical advice to the Chief of Service to advise the Mission leadership as well as national stakeholders on security sector-wide reform issues, with special emphasis on civilian oversight, management and coordination; • Provides advice on issues concerned with building political will and fostering national ownership of the SSR process; • Develops the SSR work programme in line with the mandate and ensures that RoLSIS prioritizes initiatives in advancing short and longer-term mission objectives and nationally-led SSR, in close consultation with all civilian, military and police components of the mission; • Supports the Chief of Service and senior management in undertaking good offices and prepares background notes to the Mission leadership and spokespersons on a diverse range of SSR activities and issues; Contributes to ensuring that high quality outputs are delivered on a timely basis and integrate relevant data and trends; • Develops and maintains technical and working-level relations with government officials, local leaders and other national key players and contributes in the agenda-setting and reporting to the technical and the high-level consultation process with the Donors and UNCT members and with the Government; actively promotes coordination and communication between international and national partners; • Helps manage sometimes large and highly complex missions and consultation processes, including by providing guidance to technical-level government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries; identifies problems and issues to be assessed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties, ensures follow-up actions and reports on developments; • Assists the Chief of Service on national efforts to mobilize and coordinate international assistance to security sector initiatives, in coordination with the DSRSG- Political and all relevant civilian units, as well as with the Force and UNPOL on relevant technical matters on SSR, DDR, CVR, and related matters; • Leads the delivery of coherent ‘one-UN’ support of national SSR efforts, together with all relevant Mission/UNCT interlocutors, including coordination of Mission-UNCT assistance. This would include initiating and chairing SSR Working Group meetings; • Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, and other events on substantive issues; manages the substantive preparation and organization of such events; • Supports senior management on SSR policy, and on the design, implementation and review of security sector-wide plans and programmes; establishes priorities for policy development in key area(s) of SSR; provides policy and operational advice on an ongoing basis and assists in the programming of SSR activities at the national level;. • Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines;. • Directs and/or provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing and presenting agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents, etc. • Leads the preparation of regular progress reports on UN security sector support for the consideration of senior Mission leadership, in coordination with Mission/UNCT, national and international partners. • Prepares substantive inputs to SSR position papers and reports for presentation to relevant bodies. • Responds to requests and reporting requirements from relevant components of OROLSI, DPO. • Prepares and/or supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Assists in coordinating activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and in preparing related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, budget, etc.). • Guides, supervises and mentors staff in the execution of their respective functions. • Acts as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Chief of Service, RoLSIS • Performa other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Understands the political, social and economic environment and their impact on the implementation of the Mission’s mandate. Expert knowledge of SSR (concepts, terminology, research, and policy), in particular security sector-wide issues, with special emphasis on civilian oversight, management and coordination. Demonstrated leadership, conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to thoroughly analyse and evaluate critical matters pertaining to SSR, particularly security sector-wide issues. Demonstrated capacity for original and creative thinking, independent judgment and discretion in advising on and handling major policy, programme/project and other issues/problems. Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human suffering). 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& 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. 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. 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, business administration/management, public administration, security sector management, international relations or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in security sector reform at a sector-wide level, national security coordination, the development or implementation of SSR programmes/projects, institutional development, programme management, strategy and/or policy development, strategic planning, defence or other related area is required. Previous experience in advisory and coordination roles in the areas of national security and/or SSR, DDR and community violence reduction in Africa is required. At least two years of experience in a UN peacekeeping mission is required. Previous experience in organizational/team management is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Arabic 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 for six (6) months possibility of extension subject to availability funds. 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. • Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.