Mar 7, 2016

Corrections Officer , Africa


Employer: United Nations (MINUSCA)
Location: Bangui , Central Africa Republic

Closing:  07 March 2016
Job Opening Number: 56971

Special Notice
Notes:


•A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified.

•Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.

•Subject to the funding source of the position, this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

•While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.

•The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.

•Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

•For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.

•The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/EnglishOrg. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Justice and Corrections Section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Corrections Officer will be based in Bangui and will report to the Senior Corrections Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Corrections Officer P-4 will be responsible for the following duties (these duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Corrections Officers P-4):

• Leading the development and implementation of the Mission’s strategies related to strengthening all aspects of the corrections system, through advising, coaching and mentoring national counterparts in line with applicable international standards. This will include actively leading/supporting the review, development, and/or implementation of: strategic planning, budget and procurement processes; project management processes; reporting and media relations procedures; relevant policies and legislation; rehabilitation of facilities; management of operational prison security tasks, management of prisoners, staff, critical strategic and operational issues; and effective linkages with the police and the court system.
• Supervising professional, national, UNV or Government Provided Personnel as assigned to him/her.
• Facilitating the delivery of coherent ‘one-UN’ support to the national prison sector, including through facilitating the coordination of Mission-UNCT assistance and effective integration of corrections programmes, projects and related activities undertaken by Mission components.
• Assessing training needs and participating in the preparation of training and development strategies and implementation plans in the Mission, including guidelines for a robust mentoring and advising programme in particular in the area of prison security operations and crisis management
• Assisting in enhancing the national capacity to design, develop, deliver, evaluate and record training programmes, including through providing training and development advice and guidance.
• Supporting the provision of advice and assistance on national efforts to mobilize and coordinate international assistance to prison sector initiatives.
• Overseeing the design, development and implementation of the corrections training programs (formal and robust on-the-job training) for all levels of staff, including new recruits, supervisory and management staff, non-uniformed administration staff and special units.
• Ensuring effective relations with national government officials and civil society representatives (including counterparts in the Ministry of Justice and/or other relevant Ministries, the police, the court system, women’s groups, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions and donors).
• Building linkages with development partners and donors to ensure seamless transition to longer-term development support and mobilization of resources, where necessary.
• Advising on good prison, financial and programme management practices and procedures, including the management of critical operational and security issues, and the rehabilitation of infrastructure.
• Advising senior leadership in the field or HQ, as applicable, on the Mission/HQ role, priorities, activities, challenges and approaches regarding corrections matters.
• Other assignments will include: monitoring the preparation of outputs such as section reports and assessments, policy documents and guidelines; facilitating coordination mechanisms at the Mission/HQ level; maintaining close working relationships with relevant components (human rights, police, justice, gender etc.) and UN Agencies, Funds and Programs, and representing the Mission as required; overseeing the completion of programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing and evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates; and performing any other task as requested by the (Senior) Corrections Officer, Chief of Rule of Law, Chief of Joint Justice and Corrections Unit or DSRSG, depending on the duty station (Mission or HQ).

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated understanding of prison system issues in post-conflict and crisis settings, in particular with regard to in particular: the area of operational prison security, developing the necessary legal and policy framework, undertaking prison assessments and designing and implementing plans to strengthen the corrections sector. Knowledge of relevant international human rights standards, and capacity to adopt a strategic approach to the development of a prison system. Proven strengths in policy and operational-level coordination with multiple stakeholders. Ability to conduct research and data collection using various methods, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and to assess impact on corrections-related activities in assigned country/area. 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.

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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) either in social sciences, project management, business administration, management; or in a related area; is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in or with a corrections system with significant management experience, is required. Within this experience, at least two years of experience in operational prison security management or project management or related areas; and experience in policy and planning or training is required. At least two years of professional experience providing assistance for strengthening corrections systems in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required. Experience working with a United Nations field mission, especially in a peacekeeping operation, is desirable. Prince2 Foundation Project Management certification is desirable.

Languages

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

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). 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 At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

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