Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Justice and Corrections Section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Corrections Officer will be based in Bangui and reports to the Senior Corrections Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Corrections Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Leading the development and implementation of the Mission’s strategies related to strengthening all aspects of the corrections system, through advising, coaching, and mentoring national counterparts in line with applicable international standards. This will include actively leading/supporting the review, development, and/or implementation of: strategic planning processes; relevant policies and legislation; rehabilitation of facilities; management of prisoners, staff, critical strategic and operational issues; and effective linkages with the police and the court system.
• Facilitating the delivery of coherent ‘one-UN’ support to the national prison sector, including through facilitating the coordination of Mission-UNCT assistance and effective integration of corrections programmes, projects and related activities undertaken by Mission components.
• Assessing training needs and participating in the preparation of training and development strategies and
implementation plans in the Mission.
• Assisting in enhancing the national capacity to design, develop, deliver, evaluate and record training
programmes, including through providing training and development advice and guidance.
• Supporting the provision of advice and assistance on national efforts to mobilize and coordinate international assistance to prison sector initiatives.
• Overseeing the design, development, and implementation of the corrections training programs (formal and on the-job training) for all levels of staff, including new recruits, supervisory and management staff, non-uniformed administration staff and special units.
• Ensuring effective relations with national government officials and civil society representatives (including counterparts in the Ministry of Justice and/or other relevant Ministries, the police, the court system, women’s groups, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions and donors).
• Building linkages with development partners and donors to ensure seamless transition to longer-term
development support and mobilization of resources, where necessary.
• Advising on good prison practices and procedures, including the management of critical operational and security issues, and the rehabilitation of infrastructure.
• Advising senior leadership in the field or HQ, as applicable, on the Mission/HQ role, priorities, activities,
challenges and approaches regarding corrections matters.
• Other assignments will include: monitoring the preparation of outputs such as section reports and assessments, policy documents and guidelines; facilitating coordination mechanisms at the Mission/HQ level; maintaining close working relationships with relevant components (human rights, police, justice, gender etc.) and UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, and representing the Mission as required; overseeing the completion of programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing and evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates; and performing any other task as requested by the (Senior) Corrections Officer, Chief of Rule of Law, Chief of Joint Justice and Corrections Unit or Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG).
• Oversees the identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems, coordinating enhancements as necessary.
• Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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.

Planning and 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminal justice, social sciences, or management is required. A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and an additional two (2) years’ experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in a corrections system of which at least three years of experience in operational prison security management including rapid intervention techniques is required.

Significant experience with projects, programmes management and budgeting is required.

Management experience including experience in policy and planning is required.

At least one-year professional experience providing technical assistance for strengthening corrections systems in a transitional, developmental, or post-conflict setting outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required.

Experience providing services in the field of corrections system to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.