Junior Professional Officer (JPO) in Reform of Peacekeeping Operations - FDFA - UN Division (UND)

FDFA - UN Division (UND)

Title: JPO in Reform of Peacekeeping Operations (P2)

Office: United Nations / Department of Peace Operations (DPO) / Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) / Peacekeeping Best Practices Section (PBPS)

Begin: Spring 2025

Duration: 1 year (renewable)

Duty station: New York, USA

Age limit / nationality: Maximum 32 years old at the date of application and of Swiss nationality

Background Information

The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) is dedicated to assisting UN Member States and the Secretary-General in their efforts to maintain international peace and security. DPO does this in part by providing political and executive direction to UN peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop, police, financial contributors, and parties to conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental, and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations and provides guidance and support on military, police, rule of law, mine action, and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions.

The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of peacekeeping operations. In addition, at the request of the USG-DPO, the division has the responsibility to evaluate how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices, and use that information to guide the development, coordination, and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners.

The Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) is mandated to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through the exchange of good practices between missions, develop guidance materials, and provide thematic policy support in the areas of protection of civilians, civil affairs, conflict-related sexual violence and child protection. PBPS coordinates with best practices officers in the field and provides guidance on capturing lessons learned. PBPS serves as Secretariat for the Guidance Focal Points Group and supports the Guidance Development and Learning Steering Committee, Policy and Practice Database, UN resource hub and communities of practice.

Supervision

Direct Supervision by:

Chief, Policy and Best Practices Service

Content and methodology of supervision:

The JPO will be supervised by the Chief, Policy and Best Practices Service, through direction and tasking on specific projects and activities related to the work streams of the Division for Policy, Evaluation and Training. These work streams will be monitored through regular task-specific progress meetings and weekly updates. The JPO may be assigned to support work streams led by different teams in PBPS under the overall supervision of the Chief, PBPS.

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. During the assignment, the JPO will be provided "on the job" training, with extensive coaching by supervisors, and regular collaboration with senior staff. Furthermore, the JPO will be able to attend training events in the area of work. Regular review of the work in progress will take place informally as needed. Within the context of the United Nations performance appraisal evaluation procedure, the JPO will prepare a personal work plan, encouraging a higher-level involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of his/her work. This includes a mid-term review and year-end review.

Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations

Within delegated authority, the Junior Professional Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Coordinate and support work streams related to the reform of UN peacekeeping, notably in the context of Action 21 in the recently adopted Pact for the Future by Member States at the Summit of the Future in September 2024. In particular, contribute to the implementation of the review all forms of UN peace operations (Pact Action 21 b) and development of strategic, action-oriented recommendations, including through supporting the inter-departmental implementation team, including on data- and digital technologies-related aspects.

Gather and analyze information on the evolving strategic context and challenges of peacekeeping as well as identifying emerging opportunities for UN peacekeeping from a wide range of sources in order to develop appropriate and comprehensive materials for use to support policy initiatives of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO).

Support formal and informal Secretariat outreach to Member States and other partners, contributing to the General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34)-related products and peacekeeping policy outputs.

Support to the Peacekeeping Ministerial process, which may include supporting logistical and substantive preparations for the upcoming Berlin Ministerial Meeting in Berlin, Germany, in May 2025, and support to related preparatory conferences and engagement with academic partners. Furthermore, provide conceptual and research support to follow up on the outcomes of the Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting.

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.

Support to the coordination and execution of other relevant processes and duties as determined by management, including providing support to the Office of the Director, DPO DPET.

Other thematic work streams that the JPO may be involved in include: 1. Support new policy, doctrine or reform related initiatives related to peacekeeping emanating from the Secretary-General's policy brief A New Agenda for Peace and the Pact for the Future, for example in strengthening options for flexible peace operations partnerships within a system of networked multilateralism, incl. through the implementation of Security Council resolution 2719 (2023) (Pact Action 21 f), and by supporting the formulation of policy positions and related guidance on the need for UN support to inclusive political strategies and non-military approaches to address root causes of conflict in peace enforcement scenarios (Pact action 21 e.)

2. Support departmental efforts to develop a refreshed implementation strategy for the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) along with the development of an DPO-internal strategic plan, as requested by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34) in its 2024 report (A/78/19).

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Science, International Relations, Global Affairs, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Human Rights, Law, Psychology, or similar. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work experience:

A minimum of two to three years of relevant work experience in international relations, politics, or public policy, in particular in research, policy analysis or similar is required. Internships can be counted at 50% if they were full time and are regarded as relevant professional experience (remuneration is not the determining factor).

Experience in drafting background papers, articles, speeches and other communications products is desirable. Experience in innovation projects, foresight exercises, or organizational change management efforts, is desirable. Previous experience working in a multilateral organization at the field level or at Headquarters is an asset.

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in spoken and written English is required. French fluency is desirable. Passive knowledge of German and knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Other skills:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, online collaboration and productivity tools. Proficiency in the use of innovative tools and methodologies corresponding with one or several work streams of the Secretary-General's "Quintet of Change" (innovation, data, digital, foresight, behavioral science) an asset. Graphic design or audiovisual editing experience an asset.

UN competencies:

PROFESSIONALISM: 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.

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.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Workforce Diversity:

The United Nations believes that an inclusive culture attracts the best talent and encourages all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or religious backgrounds, to apply.

Learning Elements

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

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the key challenges facing DPO 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 DPO, such as on future operational models, peacekeeping doctrine, peace operations partnerships, questions of host state consent.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the policy development processes within DPO, 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 DPO DPET leadership.

Draft communications and outreach materials, speeches and presentations for use internally and externally by DPO 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.

Application process

If you are interested please apply online by sending in the duly completed personal history profile (P11), a cover letter (in English) and copies of your diplomas and work certificates.

Send your application to: bonny.wilkinson@eda.admin.ch

Application deadline: 2 February 2025

Interviews are expected to take place in week 10.

Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Will manage other people: No

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)