Historique

The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations provides an integrated capacity to develop and disseminate policy and doctrine for peacekeeping; to develop, coordinate and deliver standardized training for all categories of peacekeepers; to evaluate mission progress towards mandate implementation; and to develop policies and operational frameworks for strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners. Within DPET, the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) provides support to both DPKO and DFS.

The function of PBPS is to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of peace operations through the exchange of good practices between missions, the development of guidance material that reflects lessons learned, thematic policy and operational support in selected areas: Protection of Civilians; Women, Peace and Security; Child Protection;  HIV/AIDS; Civil Affairs; and Knowledge Management and Guidance. In this latter role, PBPS coordinates the network of Best Practices Officers in the field and provides guidance on the capture of best practices through the ‘Best Practices Toolbox’.

On guidance development, PBPS acts as secretariat for the Expanded Senior Management Team (E-SMT), DPKO’s policy review body, and coordinates the drafting of policies, guidelines and procedures on crosscutting aspects of peace operations, such as mission integration or risk management, and in specialized areas, including strategic partnerships with regional organizations, or protection of civilians. PBPS also supports electronic resources, such as Communities of Practice, the Policy and Practice Database, and the Peacekeeping Resource Hub. PBPS also undertakes  lessons learned studies on aspects of peacekeeping to draw good practices and identify challenges to improve peacekeeping and provide responses to emerging problems.

The Policy Planning Team of PBPS provides direct support to ongoing policy development and implementation across DPKO/DFS, working to define the evolving strategic context for peacekeeping and required adjustments in policy and doctrine. These include policy development on issues such as impartiality and consent, the use of force, the peacekeeping-peacebuilding nexus, strategic force generation and expanding the base; capability development; socio-economic impacts of peacekeeping; support to the restoration of state authority; and provision of support to initiatives to enhance client orientation, develop tools to assist faster more flexible deployments and identify economies of scale. The Policy Planning Team also acts as the DPKO/DFS interface with the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34).

Supervision

Title of Supervisor:
Policy Planning Team Leader

Content and methodology of supervision:
The JPO  will be supervised by the Policy Planning Team Leader, through direction and tasking on specific projects and activities related to the Team work streams, including those in support of other Policy Planning Team staff members. These work streams will be monitored through regular task-specific progress meetings and supporting weekly updates provided at the Team level.

Establishment of a work plan: during the first month of the assignment, the JPO  will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO  and his/her supervisor.

Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate of the JPO ’s performance.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The JPO  will be directly involved in the assessment of ongoing policy issues for UN peacekeeping and will work with team members to maintain visibility of policy planning issues for consideration and analysis within the department. The JPO  will also gather information on emerging dilemmas and opportunities for UN peacekeeping policy development from peacekeeping experts at Headquarters and in the field. Based on these processes, the JPO  will be expected to develop appropriate and comprehensive written materials for use to support furtherance of policy initiatives of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)/Department of Field Support (DFS), for varied audiences.

The JPO  will be involved in the preparation and provision of support to DPKO/DFS senior management in helping to capture the evolving strategic context of peacekeeping as well as their consideration of specific emerging policy issues and will support formal and informal Secretariat outreach to Member States and other partners, contributing to the General Assembly’s Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations-related products and peacekeeping policy outputs. The JPO  will be expected to produce comprehensive talking points, speeches and briefing materials to support senior management processes and engage effectively with appropriate offices to ensure clear, accurate and timely information sharing and promulgation.

As DPET is a shared resource of both DPKO and DFS, the JPO  will also engage with the Department of Field Support on issues pertaining to policy development and planning. This will include through support of drafting and policy development work.

The JPO  will be expected to take on responsibilities and work under minimal supervision on projects and activities within the purview of the Policy Planning Team and provide direct support to Team staff members, as required. Individual projects and outputs will be identified in the JPO ’s annual work plan. In the coming year, this will likely include implementation of the Secretary-General’s report on the recommendations of the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations.

Compétences

• Communication “speaks and writes clearly and effectively”, “demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed”, “listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately”.
• Planning and Organizing: “identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required”, “allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work”, “monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary”.
• Teamwork: “works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals”, places team agenda before personal agenda”, “solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others”.
• Accountability: “takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments”, “delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards”, “operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules”.

Learning Elements
On completion of the assignment, the JPO  will have/be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the key challenges facing DPKO/DFS and its field operations and the activities being planned and executed to overcome them.
• Identify and articulate and additional upcoming policy challenges to be addressed by DPKO/DFS.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the policy development processes within DPKO/DFS, including the relationships with Member States and the main and sub-committees of the UN legislative bodies, and the wider structures within UNHQ.
• Draft policy analysis, proposals and supporting materials for submission to and approval of DPKO/DFS leadership.
• Draft communications and outreach materials, speeches and presentations for use internally and externally by DPKO/DFS senior leadership.
• Plan and implement project related support tasks including budget and project planning in accordance with relevant UN Regulations and Rules and appropriate standards and instructions.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

Advanced university degree in International Relations, Political Science, International Law or related field.

Work experience:

A minimum of two years of experience, preferably in policy development, or related research fields.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required, fluency in French is highly desirable.

Other skills:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Disclaimer:

The above position with the UN Secretariat is open in the context of the Junior Programme Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of Kuwait and addressed exclusively to candidates with Kuwaiti citizenship.