2 UN Conflict Resolution Officer Job Opportunities – Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS)

Organization:
Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS)
Duty Station:
Entebbe, Uganda
Job Opening Number:
16-Ombudsman-OMBUDSMAN-68963-R-Entebbe (X)
Report to:
Regional Ombudsman
About UNOMS:
The United Nations Ombudsman
and Mediation Services (UNOMS) works to intervene in the intersection where
creativity meets conflict and helps to channel these conflicts into productive
solutions. We do this through conflict coaching, by giving feedback to UN
offices, by using shuttle diplomacy, mediation and other tools of informal
dispute resolution. We also seek to track the root causes to these difficulties
and propose changes to minimize them in the future and to create a more
harmonious workplace at the UN.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Regional Ombudsman as First
Reporting Officer and the Chief of Office as Second Reporting Officer, the
Conflict Resolution Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
·        
Handle
cases of staff members and other personnel with access to the Office of the
Ombudsman and Mediation Services (visitors) with a view to resolving any
workplace concerns they bring to the Office. Such handling of cases must be
guided by a full understanding of the principles of confidentiality,
independence, neutrality and impartiality.
o   Identify options for next steps/resolution of the matter within
the UN system and its rules, including the provision of relevant information
and referrals.
o   Provide conflict coaching with a view to
helping the visitors resolve their issues without referral to higher levels or
formal means.
o   Carry out informal fact-finding if visitor
agrees. This involves contacts with other parties involved, such as
supervisors, human resources personnel and administrators.
o   Undertake shuttle diplomacy between the
visitor and the respective colleagues involved until the parties are ready to
talk to each other directly or otherwise reach a better understanding of each
other’s positions and can reach a mutually acceptable solution. This involves
discussions with senior management.
o   The incumbent will mediate, i.e.,
facilitate the negotiations of the parties involved as a third-party neutral.
o   Carry out regular official visits to
provide in-person informal conflict resolution services to staff members
serving in the Entebbe Regional Service Center, MONUSCO, and other peacekeeping
missions.
o   On a flexible basis, and depending on
need, conduct extended official visits to provide in-person informal conflict
resolution services to staff members serving in any other locations/missions as
required by the UNOMS.
o   The services are carried out through
in-person meetings or remotely through secure and confidential means of
communication to service staff in the field and away from Headquarters. As the
cases require, the incumbent also briefs and discusses with senior management.
The incumbent also serves staff in the field through field mission visits and
subsequent mission reports.
·        
Contribute
to identifying systemic issues arising from the individual cases handled and
lessons learned, by:
o   Actively contributing to writing the
annual report to the General Assembly with respect to the identification of
systemic issues and recommendation for addressing them;
o   Identifying lessons learned for both
feedback into the system through other avenues than the annual report to the
General Assembly as part of the Ombudsman’s mandate to identify systemic issues
for internal lessons learned for developing state-of-the-art and client
oriented Ombudsman practice within UNOMS.
·        
Take
the lead in drafting and continuously updating Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs) for the office in support of the Director of the Office.
·        
Make
presentations to various audiences as part of the outreach efforts and
contribute to conflict resolution trainings supported by UNOMS.
·        
Stay
abreast with developments in the field of conflict resolution and within the
Organization, especially in the field of human resources policies and
practices.
·        
Back
up the Regional Ombudsman in his or her absence.
·        
Perform
any other duties or special projects to support UNOMS in carrying out its
functions, as assigned, including research in the field of conflict resolution
and contributions to reports.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
·        
The
ideal candidate for the United Nations Conflict Resolution Officer job
opportunity should hold an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent
degree) in law, administration, human resources, social sciences or related
field. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years
of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university
degree.
·        
At
least seven years of progressively responsible experience in conflict
resolution, law, human resources, administration or social sciences is
required.
·        
Previous
experience in conflict resolution and providing conflict resolution training is
required.
·        
Prior
exposure and experience working in a multicultural organizational setting is
desirable.
·        
Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge
of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an
advantage.
Personal Competencies:
·        
Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence in
conflict resolution, seeking fair and equitable solutions to and prevention of
employment related problems. Knowledge of alternate dispute and conflict
resolution mechanisms. Knowledge of the Organization’s human resources policies
and procedures. Ability to network and maintain excellent relationships with a
wide variety of partners and stakeholders. Ability to work in an international
setting and operate effectively across organizational boundaries; respect for and
understanding of diversity, including its impact on workplace issues and
conflict and possible resolution. 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.
NB:  The United Nations does not charge a fee at
any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting,
processing, or training). The United Nations does not concern itself with
information on applicants’ bank accounts.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and
interested candidates desiring to serve the Office of the United Nations
Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) as the Conflict Resolution Officer
should express their interest by visiting the UN recruitment website and
clicking Apply Now.
Deadline: 30th January 2017
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