Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) in Bangui within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The incumbent reports directly to the DSRSG/RC/HC.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority the Senior Coordination Officer is responsible for the following duties:

• Oversees, manages and guides the work of the shared resources under the DSRSG/RC/HC.
• Works closely with the Mission Chief of Staff (CoS), and as appropriate the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Guides integrated analysis and planning processes for the UN presence; Deepens partnerships between Mission Planning Units, Joint Mission Analysis Center (JMAC) and Joint Operations Center (JOC) and the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO)/ United Nations Country Team (UNCT);Ensures synergies are developed between the programmatic work of the UNCT and the mission; Ensures cross-cutting issues are integrated across the UN presence.
• Works closely with the Mission CoS and Director of Mission Support (DMS) to develop operational synergies between the UNCT and the mission, through the Operation Management Team (OMT) efficiency agenda and; ensure the mission is integrated into the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) 2.0 where appropriate.
• Works closely with the RCO, develops Risk Management practices for the UN presence, supports robust risk-informed analysis and planning, due diligence and information sharing aiming to improve programme implementation, informed decision-making, fiduciary accountability, do-no-harm and open dialogue with partners.
• Supports transitions planning and monitoring as required.
• Engages with the DSRSG/RC/HC on triple nexus opportunities across the system and actively identifies and supports triple nexus programmatic approaches.
• Supports the DSRSG/RC/HC on prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuses (SEA) and other system-wide priorities.

Analysis, Advice, and Reporting
• Fosters positive relationships with Government counterparts and advises the DSRSG/RC/HC on identifying priority areas of international support;
• Supports the development of strategies, policies and other measures to address programmatic and coordination issues; Provides up-to-date analysis and advice to mission’s senior leadership on economic, social, human rights and humanitarian trends; Monitors, evaluates and reports on outcomes of programmes and initiatives; Coordinates the development and implementation of cross-cutting and management policy among the various components of mission and UNCT, when required; Provides strategic advice on the relationships with high Government Officials to ensure reporting and partnership between UN and Host Government;
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with Head of RCO, Agency representatives, UN Colleagues, Government counterparts at all levels, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, and civil society; Supports the RC in engaging bilateral and multilateral donors, including for resource mobilization;
• Supports the development of a resource mobilization strategy for the host country, and supports the management of the Recovery Trust Fund (RTF); Provides strategic advice on additional resources required to implement programs and projects; Analyzes traditional and non-traditional donor priorities in the context of a country-wide recovery and development framework and identifies funding opportunities; Advises on donor engagement and strategies, and supports with the preparation of donor conferences and other resource mobilization efforts;

Partnerships, Planning and Programming
• Supports the DSRSG/RC/HC and RCO in the development of strategic and programmatic frameworks;
• Facilitates mission and UN agency joint programming efforts; Provides substantial and practical support to related activities, meetings and events; Monitors and evaluates actions implemented through these frameworks;
• Advises DSRSG/RC/HC on the identification of potential areas or issues for common UN approaches and in the development of proposals/actions for enhancing interagency and mission cooperation and coordination;
• Supports mission and UNCT coherence initiatives, as requested by the DSRSG/RC/HC;
• Interacts closely with other sections of the mission in the production of briefings, background notes, talking points, cables, media statements and speeches; Plans and organizes mission meetings chaired by the RC;
• Coordinates and prepares agendas, alerting the RC to pending issues; Prepares records and conclusions and ensures appropriate follow-up; Maintains working relationships with mission, agency representatives, UN colleagues and other relevant partners, such as Government counterparts and NGOs at all levels; Represents the ODSRSG/RC/HC in meetings, ensuring feedback is adequately reported and reflected in the work of the ODSRSG/RC/HC;
• Together with the Head of RCO, identifies and recommends actions for enhancing interagency coordination to RC and initiates their implementation as requested by the RC; Provides guidance on United Nations policies and procedures;

Information Management and Communication
• Ensures that advice and information on cross-cutting issues is coordinated with all relevant components of the mission and UNCT.
• Promotes and facilitates the flow of information between stakeholders. Promotes coherence in communication strategies among mission and UN agencies; Oversees the implementation of knowledge management approaches throughout the mission, such as handover notes, after-action reviews and end-of-assignment reports; Participates in the UN Communications Working Group; Strengthens the ODSRSG/RC/HC’s information and reporting systems, ensuring efficient flows of information between the DSRSG/RC/HC, the mission and the UNCT as well as the UN Global system (including UNDGO, RBAS, BCPR); Coordinates and prepares inputs into reports of the DSRSG/RC/HC.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listen to others, correctly interpret messages from others and responds appropriately; ask 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

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 or Equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international studies, or a related field is required. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience with international organizations in humanitarian, post-conflict, development contexts, or related field is required.

At least three years of experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization, or similar multi-lateral or non-governmental organization is desirable.

Experience working with the UN and in inter-agency coordination/Resident Coordinator system is desirable.

Languages

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