CHIEF OF SECTION, DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND REINTEGRATION

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration Section within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and operates under the general supervision of the Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institution. The incumbent reports to the Assistant Secretary- General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Chief of Section will be responsible for the following: - He/She establishes and implements DDR/Second Generation DDR strategic policies (such as the Integrated DDR Standards and GA resolutions on DDR) and cooperative mechanisms with other DDR actors and partners; ensures consistent application of these policies and cooperation mechanisms by all chiefs of DDR components in all peacekeeping and special political missions; organizes and leads the department's interaction with member states, regional organizations and other international institutions on all DDR issues for the department; negotiating and managing cooperative mechanisms with DDR partners. - He/She manages the Headquarters unit to provide operational support to field DDR work, which has now evolved to include \"Second Generation DDR\" practices such as Community Violence Reduction (CVR).Support is to be provided in all stages of a DDR programme, including the assessment, planning (as well as recruitment and budgeting), management and evaluation phases; and to advise and provide technical support to field missions on how to design and implement \"Second Generation DDR\" practices, including CVR. - The Chief of this Section is the principal DDR advisor to the Under-Secretary-General and is the designated chief representative of the department on DDR issues in all UN legislative and technical bodies, as well as interagency foras; he/she is the expert resource for the department, the unit itself and the Member States on issues relating to weapons collection programmes, weapons destruction, knowledge of peace process, the linkages of DDR with broader security sector issues; he/she also liaises with internal legislative and financial bodies. CompetenciesProfessionalism: -Knowledge of peacekeeping and peace building and how it links to the issue of DDR and related areas.-Demonstrated ability in DDR planning, management and implementation. -Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations as related to DDR.- In-depth understanding of and an ability to evaluate the situations that affect violence reduction; experience in bilateral and multilateral negotiations with expertise in working with donors and development agencies for a coherent approach; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations. 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. 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. Leadership:-Serves as a role model that other people want to follow- Empowers others to translate vision into results-Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives-Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support-Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions-Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo- Shows the courage to take unpopular stands- Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in disarmament affairs, military studies, political affairs, economics, international relations or related field. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience can be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), political affairs, international relations or in national military or paramilitary service is required. Experience in coordination of field-based programmes on DDR or related areas is required. Experience in supporting or implementing Second Generation DDR programming in the field is required Experience with demobilization and disarmament in field missions is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).