Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: CORE PROFILE:

• Supports the Director of Civil Affairs Division in all aspects of his/her role, including through the provision of policy guidance and strategy development. Acts as possibly OIC Head of Field Office where requested.

• Ensures coherence of the work of the Civil Affairs field component as a whole. Manages, supervises and carries out the work plan of the Field Office under his/her responsibility. Supervises and monitors the work of officers under his/her responsibility in undertaking the full range of their duties.

• Designs and coordinates diverse programmatic funding projects and activities for Civil Affairs to further the overall objectives of the Division, including joint programmes with UNCT and other actors where appropriate. Monitors activities to ensure that substantive work programmes are carried out in a timely and effective fashion, taking account of inclusivity including the targeting of women and youth.

• Manages relevant planning and budgeting processes for the Field Office, in accordance with UN and Mission procedures. Anticipates changes in the environment and proposes adjustments in the priorities or approach accordingly.

• Ensures that information and analysis provided by Civil Affairs Officers at the local level is collected and presented in a consistent and planned manner. Provides an overall analysis of trends and issues based on input from diverse geographical areas. Ensures that Civil Affairs analysis is integrated into overall mission analysis and planning.

• Coordinates across disciplines and thematic priorities such as support to civil society engagement in peacebuilding, promotion of confidence building, social cohesion, conflict prevention and mitigation.

• Ensures effective partnership, coordination and information sharing between the Civil Affairs component and both Mission and non-Mission partners. Ensures that all partners and interlocutors are aware of the role and contributions of Civil Affairs as part of the overall Mission and UN effort.

• Manages a local field CAD team, undertaking or overseeing the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for its functioning. Designs and oversees implementation of the Civil Affairs work plan for that area. Ensures that all Civil Affairs and non-Civil Affairs Mission actors in that regional or local area of operations share an understanding of the Mission mandate and operations, and act in a cohesive and consistent manner. Coordinates with UNCT partners in that area of operations to ensure a coherent UN system effort.

• Performs other duties as required, in line with the DPKO/DFS Policy Directive on Civil Affairs. CONFLICT MANAGEMENT:

• Manages Civil Affairs support to national and local actors in designing strategies and processes for conflict management and resolution.

• Convenes or oversees support to dialogue and negotiation between groups in conflict. Facilitates, enables, or mediates dialogue where appropriate.

• Manages partnerships with relevant actors to advocate the protection and empowerment of excluded and/or threatened groups in full respect of humanitarian and international law, including mechanisms for information-sharing, crisis response and protection of civilians as needed.

• Identifies and coordinates a response to specific conflict drivers at the social level, including by mobilising a response from other actors where appropriate.

• Identifies and designs practical Civil Affairs support activities for constructive civil society actors. SUPPORT TO STATE INSTITUTIONS:

• Develops strategies to enhance effective cooperation between Civil Affairs and relevant state institutions with a view to: strengthening local ownership of the peace process, building capacity, promoting cooperation between authorities and relevant community and social actors, as well as supporting operations, policy and decision-making processes as appropriate in conflict management, reconciliation and promoting social cohesion.

• Ensures consistent identification country-wide of the support needs of local authorities in managing local conflicts and the design of practical Civil Affairs activities to respond to them. Ensures that Civil Affairs work is carried out in coordination with other actors, in particular UNDP, and as part of a joint programme where appropriate.

• Ensures consistent and appropriate Civil Affairs support to dialogue and cooperation between authorities and relevant community and social actors and encourages the development of structures of accountability and transparency.

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT:

• Undertakes or oversees the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for its functioning. Designs and oversees implementation of the Civil Affairs workplan for that area, as well as the work of other components as relevant, ensuring consistency of approach and efficiency of output.

• Implement projects from Programmatic Funding budget with Mission priorities and the DPKO/DFS policy. Includes, inter alia: ensuring the effective and timely running of the project design, approval and implementation process, the keeping of accurate records, assistance with determining mission specific priorities, assessment of impact of the overall programme, and drafting of programmatic proposals submission for the Mission budget.

• Oversees development and ensures distribution of high-quality mission-specific induction materials. Designs, oversees implementation and evaluates tailored in-mission skills training for Civil Affairs components in accordance with global Civil Affairs skills training methodologies

Education 

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience 

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in civil affairs, political affairs, public administration, or related fields is required.

At least three (3) years’ experience of managerial and supervisory functions is required.

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in conflict management, facilitation, mediation or negotiation skills, with an emphasis on analytical and strategic planning functions is required.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience in programme/project management working with international governmental or non-governmental organizations, including relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects, budgeting and financial reporting is required.

Experience in facilitating structured dialogue events between different parties, and reconciliation activities and processes is desirable.

Experience in policy advice in the areas of institution strengthening and governance support for peacebuilding in a conflict or post-conflict setting, is desirable. Previous experience in conflict or post conflict setting in Sub Saharan Africa is desirable.

Language 

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