Saturday 4 April 2020

Conflict Resolution Officer at United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services

The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) acts as an independent confidential and neutral dispute resolution resource to provide a safe setting in which all staff members feel comfortable in being able to bring forward issues or concerns. The Office seeks to: resolve conflicts expeditiously and effectively through ombudsing and mediation; identify system issues, trends and patterns and thus facilitate changes at the systemic level (policies, procedures, practice, structures, culture or attitude), encourage and, where applicable, assist in developing a deeper understanding of conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution, while exploring opportunities for preventive practices; internally, team members work together as a team to support effective performance and apply professional standards to achieve common goals and objectives. The post is located in the Nairobi Branch of the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services and is dedicated to serve staff of the Resident Coordinator System. The incumbent will report directly to the Regional Ombudsman/Regional Coordinator in Nairobi and will be under the general supervision of the Chief of Office.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority and abiding by the principles of UNOMS, the Conflict Resolution Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Provide conflict resolution services to staff members and other personnel from the Resident Coordinator System with access to the Office of Ombudsman and Mediation Services with a view to resolving any workplace concerns they bring to the Office. Conflict resolution service may entail: option discussion, facilitation of dialogue; conflict coaching; shuttle diplomacy and referrals. The handling of cases is guided by ombudsman principles: of confidentiality, independence, neutrality and impartiality.

2. Provide support to mediation processes under the guidance of the Regional Ombudsmen and other Senior Officers as applicable. Liaise with the components of the administration of justice system and other stakeholders as needed.

4. Provide systemic observations on factors underlying workplace issues in the Resident Coordinator System and support the Senior Conflict Resolution Officer (Systemic Issues) in further analysis.

5. Undertake outreach missions as requested and provide conflict competence training to build capacity enabling staff to constructively address conflicts.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence in conflict resolution, seeking fair and equitable solutions to and prevention of employment related problems. Knowledge of alternate dispute and conflict resolution mechanisms. Knowledge of the Organization’s human resources policies and procedures. Ability to network and maintain excellent relationships with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders. Ability to work in an international setting and operate effectively across organizational boundaries; respect for and understanding of diversity, including its impact on workplace issues and conflict and possible resolution. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

An Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in conflict resolution, law, administration, human resources, social sciences or related field 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. Training in alternative dispute resolution is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in conflict resolution, law, human resources, administration or social sciences is required.
Experience providing conflict resolution or skill-building training is desirable.
Experience working in the United Nations, or other similar international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language 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 until 31, December 2020. 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 job opening 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.

• The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.

• For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.

• The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: https://ift.tt/1FlfndO

• 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.

• Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. 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.

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.

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