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Senior Policy Officer - Rule of Law, P-5 United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Criminal Law and Judicial Advisory Service (CLJAS) in the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The incumbent will report to the Deputy Chief of Service as first reporting officer and to the Director, CLJAS, as second reporting officer.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of the Criminal Law and Judicial Advisory Service (CLJAS) and the Deputy Chief, the incumbent is responsible for providing a doctrinal basis and the requisite policy framework to guide the work of justice and corrections components in peace operations as part of a comprehensive rule of law approach. In close coordination with other United Nations entities and external organizations and institutions, s/he oversees development, updating and dissemination of policy documents, guidance materials, standard operating procedures, lessons learned studies and operational tools for justice and corrections reform in post-conflict settings. S/he oversees the development of training material and the organization of training courses for judicial affairs and corrections officers. S/he engages with other United Nations offices, departments and agencies on documents related to the rule of law, including the development of papers for the Policy Committee, thematic reports of the Secretary-General and other important guidance materials. The incumbent supervises the policy cell in CLJAS, as well as officers in the Justice Team and Corrections Team when they are engaged in the development of lessons learned, policy, guidance or training materials. S/he provides advice and support to the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions and to DPKO on judicial, legal and correctional systems issues. The incumbent is also responsible for the overall quality of this aspect of the Service’s work product.

Competencies

Core Competencies:
Professionalism: In-depth understanding of judicial and legal system issues, including knowledge of criminal law and relevant international human rights standards and their linkages to the broader developmental/post-conflict recovery framework and initiatives; Extensive knowledge of the United Nations system and of United Nations policies and guidance materials related to the rule of law; Ability to provide advice and guidance on judicial, legal and correctional system reform activities; Excellent conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills; Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, develop lessons learned, identify best practices, make recommendations and develop policy and guidance documents; Ability to incorporate 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 the 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.

Managerial Competencies:
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

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.

Qualifications:

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, or bar qualification, or equivalent, in addition to a first level degree, is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with other relevant academic qualifications and/or legal experience in the field of rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, criminal justice academic, legal consultant, or adviser in the field of justice and/or corrections is required. This must include a minimum of one year of experience providing technical assistance for strengthening rule of law institutions in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting, outside the applicant’s country of nationality. United Nations field experience, especially in a peacekeeping operation, is required. Management experience is required. Experience developing lessons learned and/or guidance materials in the area of judicial, legal and correctional system reform is also required.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral English and exceptional drafting ability in written English is required. Knowledge of a second official UN language, preferably French, is desirable.

United Nations Considerations
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). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Assessment Method
Kindly note that you may, as part of the evaluation of your application for this position, be requested to undergo written knowledge-based assessment exercises, which may be followed by a competency-based interview, depending on the result of the written test.
How to apply
Online: https://inspira.un.org/psp/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=18203&PostingSeq=1