Best Practices Officer

Posting Title: Best Practices Officer, P3

Job Code Title: Policy and Best Practices Officer

Organization: United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Duty Station: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Posting Period: 13 July 2023 - 31 August 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Political Affairs-MONUSCO-213143-F-Kinshasa (M)

Staffing Exercise: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Policy and Best Practices Officer will be based in Kinshasa and will report to the Mission Chief of Staff (MCOS).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Mission Chief of Staff, the Policy and Best Practices Officer will carry out the following duties:

Promote and facilitate organization learning and the sharing of knowledge within the Mission and between the Mission and other missions and UNHQ:
• Promote the active use of the DPO-DOS knowledge sharing tools and systems, such as the Policy and Practice Database, End of Assignment Reports, After Action Reviews, and Practice Notes, including through the support of a network of best practice focal points within the Mission.
• Support the SRSG/Head of Mission and other senior mission managers upon request, in identifying gaps in existing official guidance, as identified through needs assessments, evaluations, lessons learned studies, etc. and contribute to development of guidance where needed based on identified gaps.
• Provide inputs to draft guidance as needed, when consulted by UNHQ offices.
• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities, conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on policy, best practices and lessons learning issues.
• Facilitate and/or generate good practices and lessons learned on various Mission and integrated work processes with the UN Country Team (UNCT), Mission operational responses, organizational systems, mandate implementation, etc, including cross-cutting workstreams such as the UN Transition in the DRC, Mission drawdown, etc.
• In close coordination with the Chief of Staff and Mission sections, facilitate and/or spearhead the integration of innovative practices, including those employed by other peace operations, the Policy and Best Practices Services and/or other UN Secretariat entities.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources.
• Collect, store and share best practice materials originating in the Mission with UNHQ and other missions through the Policy and Practice Database, Communities of Practice and other channels and information sharing for a.
• Prepare and share with Mission leadership syntheses of lessons learned and recommendations documented in the Mission's knowledge sharing reports, as required.
• Organize follow-up action and monitor implementation of recommendations as required on studies undertaken, seminars or workshops on mission specific best practices and lessons learned activities.
• Liaise and coordinate with UN partner organizations, national and international organizations and academic institutions on all issues related to lessons learning and knowledge sharing, including research requests submitted to the Mission.
• Support the Information Management Officer in the maintenance and updating of the Mission Knowledge Hub and UN in the DRC Transition Hub as core resources for Mission and UNCT knowledge sharing.
• In consultation with the MONUSCO Chief of Staff and the Senior Mission Leadership and assisted by the Policy and Best Practices Services at UN Headquarters, contribute to the development of a knowledge management action plan that will address the mission's operational learning needs.
• Provide other learning and research services to the Mission as required.

Support the establishment of a mission-wide system of guidance development based on lessons learned and good practice:

• Promote the integration of lessons learned, good practices and other operational knowledge into work processes, guidance, and planning scenarios, including through Mission Working Groups, Task Forces and committees.
• Coordinate guidance review and development and provide technical support on guidance development to all Mission sections, facilitating a topical and fit-for-purpose guidance framework for the Mission, including through the coordination of the Mission Task Force on Guidance.
• Maintain and update, on behalf of the mission management, the appropriate tracking mechanism for considering and, following up on recommendations generated by Mission learning exercises.
• Take an active part in the network of Policy and Practice Officers and in developing and maintaining the network of Mission focal points.
• In consultation with the Chief of Staff and the senior mission leadership and supported by the Policy and Best Practices Section (UNHQ), assist the Mission with designing and implementing a mission-specific guidance development process.
• Support alignment of DPO-DOS policy development priorities with Mission guidance development priorities.
• In consultation with the Chief of Staff and the senior mission leadership and assisted by the Policy and Best Practices Section (UNHQ), support coordination of and/or implement policy reviews and studies.
• Contribute to the coordination of policy development on cross-cutting issues, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Liaise with UN partner organizations, national and international organizations and academic institutions on all issues related to policy/guidance development.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates sound knowledge of the UN system and understands the roles of each of the components of a Peace Operation; 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 and 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 degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, International Economics, Law, Business Administration and Management, Public Administration, Human Resources, social studies or humanities related fields. 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

At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in international affairs, preferably in the area of knowledge management, organizational learning, policy development or evaluation is required.

Experience with leading, coordinating and communicating change management initiatives with diverse stakeholders is desirable.

Experience in programme management/evaluation is desirable.

Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Experience in a conflict or post-conflict environment is desirable

Languages

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

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. 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.

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.

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.

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