Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Officer, P-4

This position is located in the United Nations Office to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Within limits of delegated authority, and under the guidance of the Senior Political Affairs Officer, the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Build relationships, develop and maintain close liaison with AU counterparts and also maintain close liaison with the OROLSI/DDR Section; Assist in the assessment of existing DDR experience and capacities within the AU and TCCs; Provide guidance on Africa-specific capacities that could be leveraged to support AU DDR activities, and develop a comprehensive capacity-building plan for the AU to strengthen capacities in DDR overall; Manage a proposed one-year joint UN-World Bank-AU programme on DDR; Identify emerging issues and analyse their implications for DDR for the Strategic Planning and Management Unit of the PSOD; Provide other short-term operational and policy support and guidance on specific DDR situations, as appropriate, to those responsible for DDR at PSOD in close consultation with the DSD as well as specific United Nations missions covering the countries concerned (e.g. UNPOS). Liaise closely with other colleagues at UNOAU, in particular the SSR officer, to develop a harmonised approach on DDR; Provide advice to the AU, and particularly AMISOM, as regards issues surrounding DDR in Somalia, in close consultation with UNPOS DDR Unit/SSDO in order to ensure harmonisation of AU and UN approaches; Liaise with the UNPOS DDR team and the wider Security Sector Development Office; liaise with UNSOA to support any eventual AMISOM efforts on DDR as regards logistical support and planning; assist AMISOM in carrying out its mandated role in the implementation and monitoring of DDR activities in Somalia, in coordination with UNPOS and other UN actors, national authorities, civic institutions and non-governmental organisations; Research and draft both regular and ad hoc political reports, briefing notes and talking points, as required; Perform other duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism - In-depth knowledge and understanding of UNOAU's mandate and strategic direction and ability to develop and direct viable programme/projects reflective of these goals.Knowledge of wide range of DDR issues and best practises; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to analyse and articulate the DDR dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated capacity-building skills, including an ability to build relationships and trust; shows sensitivity and adaptability to the institutional and cultural environment. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex and unusual issues/problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment. 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. 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 organisational 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& Organising - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities where necessary; 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. Creativity - Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box". 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; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social sciences, management, international economics, international relations, law, or a related field. 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in international affairs such as peacekeeping, peace-building or development programmes in the field with specific focus on DDR, small arms control, conflict/post-conflict crisis management, economic recovery or related area. Experience in capacity-building such as training or mentoring. Proven ability to work in a large multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team and in coordination with multiple partner agencies funds or programmes. Experience in programme planning and management is an advantage, as is experience in working in Africa or with the African Union.

Languages Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of French is highly desirable.

Other Skills

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