Posting Title: Conflict Resolution Officer, P4
Job Code Title: CONFLICT RESOLUTION OFFICER
Department/Office: Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services
Duty Station: ENTEBBE
Posting Period: 02 July 2019 – 15 August 2019
Job Opening Number: 19-Ombudsman-OMBUDSMAN-117849-R-Entebbe (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and Reporting
The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) acts as an independent confidential and neutral dispute resolution resource to provide a safe setting in which all staff members feel comfortable in being able to bring forward issues or concerns. The Office seeks to: resolve conflicts expeditiously and effectively through ombudsing and mediation; identify system issues, trends and patterns and thus facilitate changes at the systemic level (policies, procedures, practice, structures, culture or attitude), encourage and, where applicable, assist in developing a deeper understanding of conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution, while exploring opportunities for preventive practices; internally, team members work together as a team to support effective performance and apply professional standards to achieve common goals and objectives. The post is located in the Entebbe Branch of the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services. The incumbent will report directly to the Regional Ombudsman (Senior Conflict Resolution Officer) and will be under the general supervision of the Regional Coordinator.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Ombudsman as First Reporting Officer and the Regional Coordinator as Second Reporting Officer, the Conflict Resolution Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Handle cases of staff members and other personnel with access to the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services (visitors) with a view to resolving any workplace concerns. Such handling of cases must be guided by a full understanding of the principles of confidentiality, independence, neutrality and impartiality.
- Review and analyse the matter, identify and discuss options for next steps in the framework of the UN system and its rules, including providing relevant information and referrals.
- Provide conflict coaching with a view to helping the visitors resolve their issues without referral to higher levels or formal means.
- Conduct informal fact-finding with the agreement of the visitor. This involves contacts with other parties involved, such as supervisors, human resources personnel and administrators.
- Undertake shuttle diplomacy between the visitor and the respective parties involved, aiming for improved and direct communication or otherwise a better understanding of positions allowing to find mutually acceptable solutions.
- Mediate and facilitate the negotiations of the parties involved as a third-party neutral.
- Conduct regular official visits to provide in-person informal conflict resolution services to staff members serving in the locations/missions covered by the Entebbe Branch. Hold discussions with senior management as required.
- On a flexible basis, and depending on need, conduct extended official visits to provide in-person informal conflict resolution services to staff members serving in any other
locations/missions as required by UNOMS.
- As part of the Ombudsman’s mandate to support organizational improvement through the identification of systemic issues and trends, and developing options of addressing them:
- Support in providing continuous feedback into the system identifying systemic issues arising from the cases handled, trends observed and lessons learned;
- Contribute to writing the Office’s annual report to the General Assembly with respect to the trends and systemic issues identified and suggest recommendations for addressing them.
- Make presentations to various audiences as part of outreach efforts and deliver conflict competence workshops supported by UNOMS.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field of conflict resolution and within the Organization, especially in the field of human resources policies and practices. Maintain a highly professional and client oriented Ombudsman practice within UNOMS.
- Perform any other duties or special projects to support UNOMS in carrying out its functions, as assigned, including research and contributions to various activities.
- Act as Officer in Charge of the Regional Branch as required and support in supervising junior staff.
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence in conflict resolution, seeking fair and equitable solutions to and prevention of employment related problems. Knowledge of alternate dispute and conflict resolution mechanisms. Knowledge of the Organization’s human resources policies and procedures. Ability to network and maintain excellent relationships with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders. Ability to work in an international setting and operate effectively across organizational boundaries; respect for and understanding of diversity, including its impact on workplace issues and conflict and possible resolution. 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.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
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
An Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in conflict resolution, law, administration, human resources, social sciences or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in conflict resolution, law, human resources, administration or social sciences is required. Experience providing conflict resolution training is desirable. Experience working in a multicultural organizational setting is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. 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
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.
The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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.
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.
More Information
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