Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO). The Principal Officer is the senior adviser dealing with a variety of political and managerial questions entrusted to the ASG for Africa; monitors activities pertaining to the implementation of the functions entrusted to the ASG and the two Departments, providing substantive and managerial advice as required; liaises and coordinates with the relevant divisions, offices and teams reporting to or through the ASG for Africa as well as other parts of the peace and security pillar and the UN system; and advances the continued implementation of reform and change management initiatives.

Responsibilities

The Principal Officer is the senior adviser dealing with a variety of political and managerial questions entrusted to the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace operations (ASG); monitors activities pertaining to the implementation of the functions entrusted to the ASG and the two Departments, providing substantive and managerial advice as required; liaises and coordinates with the relevant divisions, offices and teams reporting to or through the ASG for Africa as well as other parts of the peace and security pillar and the UN system; and advances the continued implementation of reform and change management initiatives. •Leads and Coordinates the provision of day-to-day support to the ASG, in accordance with DPPA-DPO priorities. •Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme and the management functions under the supervision and authority of the ASG. •Ensures the effective coordination of the work carried out by the different work units under the responsibility of the ASG with those of relevant agencies and bodies of the United Nations system. •Provides substantive reviews and inputs to all document emanating from Divisions and units reporting to or through the ASG. •Contributes to the timely preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, the General Assembly, the Security Council and other policy and decision-making organs, as appropriate. •Liaises with Special Political Missions (SPMs) and Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) on substantive and strategic issues as necessary and upon the request of the ASG; •Ensures that the outputs produced by the Divisions and units reporting to or through OASG maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and completed in a timely manner. •Recruits staff, including conducts interviews and evaluation of candidates for job openings, candidates taking due account of geographical and gender balance. •Manages actively, provides regular guidance, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. •Fosters teamwork, communication and interact regularly with Directors of the Divisions and units reporting to or through the ASG to ensure that strategic guidance and directives by senior management are implemented; brings issues of concerns, challenges and possible solutions/recommendations to address them to the attention of the ASG. •Leads and supervises the organization and substantive preparations of meetings, seminars as directed by the ASG. •Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on relevant issues; holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. •Ensure that the appropriate level of confidentiality for products is maintained.

Competencies

•Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. •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 & 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 •Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. 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. •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 business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget or related field is required. At least three years of managerial experience at a senior level is required. Experience in supervising teams, projects and operations is required. Experience in dealing with African peace and security issues within an international organization is required. Experience advising a senior official in a front office setting is required. At least four years of field experience in Africa is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in both oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This post is financed through extra budgetary resources for an initial period of one year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.