Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Baghdad. The Mission Planning Officer will report to the Senior Planning Officer, P-5/Head of the Strategic Planning Unit (SPU).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
• Conduct research and participate in the writing of initial drafts of document segments, contribute to development, implementation and monitoring of strategies to maximize the individual and collective impact of the UN’s response in the country of deployment, concentrating on mandated tasks and activities required to consolidate peace, through a strategic partnership between the Mission and the UN Country Team.
• Provide advice to programme managers on planning guidance and tools, especially the Policy on Integrated Assessment and Planning (IAP); provide recommendations on design of specific planning tools and mechanisms such as integrated workplans, in line with policy and best practice, to meet the needs of the Mission and partners.
• Provide secretariat support and technical assistance to integrated field coordination structures, such as the Strategic Policy Group in close coordination with the Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Integrated Strategy and Planning Team and the Integrated Mission Planning Team, as required; support Mission participation in meetings of the Headquarters-based Integrated Mission Task Force or equivalent body.
• As directed, contributes to the development and implementation of a UN Integrated Strategic Framework or equivalent for peace consolidation in the country, including the Mission Plan and programme delivery monitoring through the Strategic Management Application, for monitoring, reporting and evaluation of progress.
• Make suggestions and drafting inputs for review and approval by the Senior Mission Planning Officer, assist in the preparation of a Mission Concept/Plan, which, building on the vision of the SRSG, translates the mission mandated tasks into a form that fuses objectives, timelines and expected outcomes into a coherent whole, serving as an authoritative guide for the development and implementation of Mission component plans.
• Compile and analyze data, contribute to preparation of the Mission Results-Based Budget (RBB) framework and performance reports, and inputs as required for audits, budget monitoring, evaluations, performance reporting with a particular focus on programmatic activities and other accountability measures as appropriate.
• Provide background information and drafts documents for review and approval by the Senior Mission Planning Officer in order to support Mission components in development of component-level plans, including to ensure coherence with the Mission’s overall strategic direction and planning tools, and to support joint and integrated planning between Mission components, UNCT members and other relevant partners in accordance with the IAP guidelines and senior management guidance.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism
Ability to perform a broad range of Administrative functions; Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations rules and regulations in work situations; Good knowledge of institutional mandates and policies of the institutions of the UN system, peacekeeping in particular; familiarity with the UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes, including how peacekeeping operations and UN Country Teams collaborate in a transition setting; demonstrated expertise in strategy design, management and monitoring; expertise in coordinating or integrating sub-units and cross-cutting programmatic activities and developing joint strategic and operational plans; 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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, international relations, development studies, management or a related field is required. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant, progressively responsible professional experience in programme management and/or strategic planning processes in integrated settings in a post-conflict environment is required.

Experience in development of Mission Plan and monitoring of mandate implementation through facilitating stakeholder engagement, programme and budget delivery through monitoring tools and applications is required.

Experience in budget development processes, including performance reporting and budget proposal through multi-stakeholder consultative processes, engaging in program design and capacity building is required.

Experience in coordinating inputs for mission-wide plans in support of integration and transition and mission planning and coordination by regularly engaging with the UNCT and other relevant pillars is required.

Knowledge of relevant UN policies, procedures and operations is required, as best practice and evaluation focal point, and/or within integration and transition planning.

Experience in coordinating Heads of Office retreat and workshop is desirable.

Experience in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is desirable.

Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official and/or as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior public official is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This job opening is advertised to fill a temporarily vacant position during the absence of the regular incumbent for an initial period of 364 days. The regular incumbent is entitled to return to this position at the expiry of the temporary vacancy period. If the regular incumbent exercises the right to return, the appointment or temporary assignment or promotion of the candidate selected for this job opening will not be renewed or extended.

• 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.

• 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.