Employer: United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
Location: Kabul , Afghanistan
Deadline: 23 August 2020
Job Opening Number: 20-Political Affairs-UNAMA-139370-F-Kabul (M)
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Kabul. The Senior Mission Planning Officer reports to the Mission Chief of Staff.Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Senior Mission Planning Officer will be responsible for the following:
•Facilitates joint and integrated planning between Mission components, heads of Field Offices, UNCT members and other relevant partners in accordance with the Policy on Integrated Assessments and Planning, and senior management guidance;
•Acts as a senior advisor to the Mission leadership on strategic planning issues, including engaging with UN partners and external actors in respect of integrated planning and assessment processes;
•With all relevant stakeholders, facilitates the development and implementation of an UN Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF) for peace consolidation in the country, including in-depth conflict analysis, identification of priorities, roles and responsibilities for the United Nations, and a system for monitoring and evaluation of progress;
•Leads the preparation of a Mission Concept, or similar initiative, which, building on the vision of the Special Representative, translates the mission mandated tasks into a form that fuses objectives, timelines and expected outcomes into a coherent whole, serving as an authoritative guide for the development and implementation of Mission component plans and integrated regional work plans; and ensures the integration of mandated cross-cutting issues in the mission concept and component plans;
•Provides advice to Mission components on the development of component-level plans, ensuring coherence with the Mission's overall strategic direction;
•In coordination with mission support leadership, prepares the Mission Results-Based Budget framework and performance reports, and prepares inputs as required for audits, budget monitoring and performance reporting. As directed by the Mission leadership, designs and facilitates development of other strategies, documents and plans required for implementation of the Mission's mandate, including as they relate to inter alia enterprise risk management, self-evaluations, senior management compacts and transition planning;
•Contributes to monitoring implementation of the budget, including staffing needs and workplace planning, and advises senior management on how to ensure resources are used to support implementation of the results-based budget, component plans, mission priorities and the Integrated Strategic Framework;
•Provides authoritative advice and technical support enabling UN senior management to develop, implement, and monitor strategies that maximize the individual and collective impact of the UN's response in the country of deployment, concentrating on mandated tasks and objectives required to consolidate peace and security through a strategic partnership between the Mission and the UN Country Team;
•Provides authoritative advice to senior management and programme managers on strategic and operational planning policy, procedures and best practices in line with the UN Policy on Integrated Assessment and Planning (IAP); provides recommendations on design of specific mechanisms, in line with policy and best practice, to meet the needs of the Mission and partners;
•Coordinates Mission-level engagement with the Headquarters-based Integrated Task Force (ITF) or equivalent body and supports Technical Assessment Missions, Strategic Assessment Missions and Strategic Reviews;
•Serves as a strategy and planning point of contact for Headquarters and facilitates linkages between field-based structures and the Headquarters-based Integrated Task Forces on planning matters;
•Leads and coordinates the work of the Mission Planning Unit;
•Performs other duties as required.
Location: Kabul , Afghanistan
Deadline: 23 August 2020
Job Opening Number: 20-Political Affairs-UNAMA-139370-F-Kabul (M)
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Kabul. The Senior Mission Planning Officer reports to the Mission Chief of Staff.Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Senior Mission Planning Officer will be responsible for the following:
•Facilitates joint and integrated planning between Mission components, heads of Field Offices, UNCT members and other relevant partners in accordance with the Policy on Integrated Assessments and Planning, and senior management guidance;
•Acts as a senior advisor to the Mission leadership on strategic planning issues, including engaging with UN partners and external actors in respect of integrated planning and assessment processes;
•With all relevant stakeholders, facilitates the development and implementation of an UN Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF) for peace consolidation in the country, including in-depth conflict analysis, identification of priorities, roles and responsibilities for the United Nations, and a system for monitoring and evaluation of progress;
•Leads the preparation of a Mission Concept, or similar initiative, which, building on the vision of the Special Representative, translates the mission mandated tasks into a form that fuses objectives, timelines and expected outcomes into a coherent whole, serving as an authoritative guide for the development and implementation of Mission component plans and integrated regional work plans; and ensures the integration of mandated cross-cutting issues in the mission concept and component plans;
•Provides advice to Mission components on the development of component-level plans, ensuring coherence with the Mission's overall strategic direction;
•In coordination with mission support leadership, prepares the Mission Results-Based Budget framework and performance reports, and prepares inputs as required for audits, budget monitoring and performance reporting. As directed by the Mission leadership, designs and facilitates development of other strategies, documents and plans required for implementation of the Mission's mandate, including as they relate to inter alia enterprise risk management, self-evaluations, senior management compacts and transition planning;
•Contributes to monitoring implementation of the budget, including staffing needs and workplace planning, and advises senior management on how to ensure resources are used to support implementation of the results-based budget, component plans, mission priorities and the Integrated Strategic Framework;
•Provides authoritative advice and technical support enabling UN senior management to develop, implement, and monitor strategies that maximize the individual and collective impact of the UN's response in the country of deployment, concentrating on mandated tasks and objectives required to consolidate peace and security through a strategic partnership between the Mission and the UN Country Team;
•Provides authoritative advice to senior management and programme managers on strategic and operational planning policy, procedures and best practices in line with the UN Policy on Integrated Assessment and Planning (IAP); provides recommendations on design of specific mechanisms, in line with policy and best practice, to meet the needs of the Mission and partners;
•Coordinates Mission-level engagement with the Headquarters-based Integrated Task Force (ITF) or equivalent body and supports Technical Assessment Missions, Strategic Assessment Missions and Strategic Reviews;
•Serves as a strategy and planning point of contact for Headquarters and facilitates linkages between field-based structures and the Headquarters-based Integrated Task Forces on planning matters;
•Leads and coordinates the work of the Mission Planning Unit;
•Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism:
•Comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges in volatile conflict or post conflict environments
•Proven ability to facilitate and produce integrated strategic plans, strategies, or similar documents
•Well-developed understanding of peace and security, development, and humanitarian actors and perspectives
•Demonstrated experience with monitoring and evaluation in complex organizational settings
•Proven success integrating strategic planning processes with requisite funding, staffing, and other resource requirements
•Strong inter-personal skills, including the ability to manage challenging multi-stakeholder analytical and planning processes
•Proven ability to build consensus with colleagues and contacts in pursuit of common objectives
• 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
Client Orientation:
•Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
•Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
•Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
•Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
•Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
•Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client
Managerial Competencies:
-Vision:
•Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks.
•Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals.
•Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction
•Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities
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
Professionalism:
•Comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges in volatile conflict or post conflict environments
•Proven ability to facilitate and produce integrated strategic plans, strategies, or similar documents
•Well-developed understanding of peace and security, development, and humanitarian actors and perspectives
•Demonstrated experience with monitoring and evaluation in complex organizational settings
•Proven success integrating strategic planning processes with requisite funding, staffing, and other resource requirements
•Strong inter-personal skills, including the ability to manage challenging multi-stakeholder analytical and planning processes
•Proven ability to build consensus with colleagues and contacts in pursuit of common objectives
• 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
Client Orientation:
•Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
•Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
•Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
•Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
•Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
•Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client
Managerial Competencies:
-Vision:
•Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks.
•Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals.
•Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction
•Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities
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) in social sciences, political science, international relations, economics, finance, management, development studies, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional training in the areas of planning, facilitation or coordination is an asset.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, economics, finance, management, development studies, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional training in the areas of planning, facilitation or coordination is an asset.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, conflict resolution, public administration, programme/project management or a related field is required.
At least two years of experience related to strategic planning for emergency, conflict or post-conflict environments is required.
Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) - or similar international organization or non-governmental organization in a field-based environment is desirable.
Demonstrated experience facilitating and coordinating multi-stakeholder planning processes or policy development at the strategic level is desirable.
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, conflict resolution, public administration, programme/project management or a related field is required.
At least two years of experience related to strategic planning for emergency, conflict or post-conflict environments is required.
Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) - or similar international organization or non-governmental organization in a field-based environment is desirable.
Demonstrated experience facilitating and coordinating multi-stakeholder planning processes or policy development at the strategic level is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Assessment
Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an 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.
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.
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.
Apply Now
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.
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.
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.
Apply Now