Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch within the Security Council Affairs Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) at Headquarters in New York. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Branch.

The Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch (SCPCRB) in the Security Council Affairs Division of DPPA (SCAD) serves as the advisory and research arm of the Division on matters of Security Council practice and procedure. Among its core functions, the Branch is responsible for the preparation of the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council, the only official and comprehensive record of the practice of the United Nations Security Council. The Repertoire provides a comprehensive coverage of the Security Council’ s interpretation and application of the Charter and its own Provisional Rules of Procedure since 1946 in all six UN official languages. The Branch services the Security Council Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG) and provides substantive and administrative support to its Chairperson and members. The Branch contributes to the familiarization sessions for new Council members with respect to the evolving procedure, practice and working methods of the Council and its subsidiary organs. It also responds to queries on past and con practice of the Security Council, and on the Council’s interpretation and application of the Charter of the United Nations and the Council’s Provisional Rules of Procedure. The Branch also serves as the focal point within DPPA for Security Council reform. As such, the Branch monitors the debates in the General Assembly on Security Council reform and on the improvement of the Security Council working methods.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
• Conducts extensive research and analysis for the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council.
• Drafts, reviews, edits and revises and contributes to the drafting of Supplements of the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council and its case studies; in addition, coordinates research, drafting, and fact checking to ensure the timely and accurate preparation of the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council; ensures quality control, promotes uniform high standards across all parts of the publication and supports the development of lessons learned and best practices.

• Prepares analytical research on matters of concern to the work of the Security Council, the General Assembly and other bodies; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, and contributes to speeches for senior UN officials to provide comprehensive coverage of the Security Council’s interpretation and application of the Charter and of the Security Council’s Provisional Rules of Procedure.
• Prepares responses to queries on procedural and constitutional issues related to the Security Council from Member States, Secretariat officials, research and learning institutions, etc.

• Monitors the proceedings of the Security Council and prepares analytical notes on noteworthy procedural and constitutional developments.
• Monitors questions on the agenda of the Security Council and the General Assembly relating to the maintenance of international peace and security.
• Provides substantive guidance and advice on the working methods as well as the current and past practices of the Security Council to Council Members, Secretariat Senior Officers and counterparts, requesting Member States, academic and learning institutions and the public at large, as required.
• Supports the formulation of the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the Branch and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Branch; coordinates and oversees the work of colleagues in the Branch, as appropriate.

• Supervises staff as assigned; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs; carries out, in consultation with the Chief of Branch, administrative functions relating to the staff planning.

• Supports the Chief of Branch in providing substantive servicing to the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions of the Security Council (IWG), maintains liaison with and provides advice and substantive support to the Chair and members of the IWG; supports the preparation of meetings including the distribution to Council members of relevant documentation and information as well as procedural and substantive communications from the Chair; drafts or reviews the drafting of notes of the meetings for the record as required; liaises with other Departments in the Secretariat when the IWG’s decisions impact on their daily work; ensures the updating of the IWG’s website as needed.

• Collects and analyses data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.

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.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programmes in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.

One year of experience in providing guidance on procedural or constitutional issues related to the UN Security Council or General Assembly or similar international organ is required.

At least one year of experience in drafting, editing and supporting complex publications is required.

A minimum of one year of experience within the UN common system is required.

Experience in database and website management is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is advantage.

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 for 6 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a assignment.

• While this 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 job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This 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 need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current 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 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.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 April 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.