Background
The Office of the Ombudsman for United Nations Funds and Programmes (the “Office of the Ombudsman”) acts for five UN Funds and Programmes (UNDP / UNFPA / UNICEF/ UNOPS / UN Women) and is an independent, confidential, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource to provide a safe place, in which all staff members and related personnel to freely bring forward workplace issues or concerns.
The Office of the Ombudsman functions as an independent pillar of the integrated Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (“UNOMS”).
The overall objective of this consultancy for the Consultant Ombudsman (the “Consultant”) is to enhance the operational capacity of delivery of ombudsman services of the Office.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Ombudsman, the Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:
- Support the Office by providing conflict management services to funds and programmes’ staff members and non-staff personnel, as applicable;
- Facilitate informal resolution of workplace conflicts helping all parties to explore options and engage in a voluntary and confidential process, acting as a neutral third-party;
- Maintain neutrality and impartiality towards all parties and confidentiality within the process;
- Work collaboratively with relevant actors in the various offices to facilitate informal resolutions
- Develop and make presentations to raise awareness about informal conflict resolution to various audiences at headquarters and in the field
- Travel to field offices to respond to conflict situations, as required; and
- Perform other duties to support the Office in non-core functions, as assigned.
Deliverables
- Manage cases, including mediations, and tasks assigned in an effective and timely manner;
- Input and manage case information into internal databases;
- Maintain the Ombudsman adequately informed of developments and matters requiring particular/immediate attention;
Perform all additional tasks in effective and timely manner and in accordance to pertinent instructions provided by the Office.
Competencies
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Exercises stakeholder-centered design approaches for office/programme/division
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Guides substantive specialists/teams and expands credibility and innovation capacity
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Accepts accountability for the outcomes of programme delivery and facilitates improvement and innovation in the delivery of products and services
Knowledge Management
Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
Client Orientation
Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise
Required Skills and Experience
Academic qualifications:
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in alternative dispute resolution, human resources management, law, humanities, social sciences or related area. Training in providing Ombudsman services is required.
Experience:
A minimum of twenty years of progressively responsible experience, including ten at the international level, in conflict prevention and management. Work experience in an ombudsman office is required. Previous experience with the UN system is a strong asset.
Language:
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
- Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset