Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship LevelA (least hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR4
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff memberโs country of nationality.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
ReasonTemporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Remote work acceptedYes
Target Start Date2023-09-01
Job Posting End DateAugust 15, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionDummy JC. To be used for TA appointments where STD JC is not available. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
Desired Candidate Profile UNHCR's Office of the Ombudsman and Mediator is one of the three constituencies of the United Nations Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) and, as such, represents the informal component of the UN administration of justice system. The Office of the Ombudsman and Mediator provides confidential, impartial, independent and informal advice and support to individual personnel or groups of personnel of UNHCR regardless of contractual status, in the resolution of grievances, conflicts, problems and concerns arising in the workplace.
As part of regionalising the ombuds and mediation function, this position is located in Panama City, Panama, situated within the Regional Bureau for the Americas, with a direct reporting line to the UNHCR Ombudsman and Mediator. The Senior Conflict Resolution and Mediation Officer provides informal conflict resolution services to UNHCR personnel, both within the region and globally as required.
The Senior Conflict Resolution and Mediation Officer will collaborate closely with counterparts in the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section, the Ethics Office, the Inspector General's Office and the Legal Affairs Service, as well as the network of Peer Advisors, the Regional Bureau for the Americas and country operations. Such interactions are conducted in a manner which ensures the maintenance of the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediator's core principles of confidentiality, independence, informality and impartiality.
Responsibilities:
- Act independently and impartially, and respect confidentiality and informality.
- Handle cases of personnel with workplace problems and assist all parties concerned to reach a fair solution through informal fact-finding, discussion, and involvement of all parties.
- Engage in an appropriate conflict resolution process by providing advice, guidance and conflict management coaching to assist a party in analysing problems, reframing issues, self-reflecting, developing options and evaluating appropriate courses of action.
- Convey messages between parties to a conflict to achieve a resolution (Shuttle diplomacy).
- Manage mediation between individuals and/or teams in facilitating dialogues leading to resolution.
- Refer to other resources where appropriate, including presenting recommendations for the resolution of the issues to those with authority to implement the required actions.
- Identify systemic issues and trends and develop options of addressing them. Provide continuous feedback concerning systemic issues arising from the cases handled, trends observed and lessons learned.
- Contribute to the outreach efforts of the Office of the Ombudsman and deliver awareness and skill raising presentations related to informal conflict resolution.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field of informal conflict resolution and within the organization, including in the field of human resources policies and practices.
- Ensure the maintenance of a highly professional and client-oriented ombuds practice within UNHCR.
- Coordinate and collaborate internally with relevant stakeholders and in appropriate fora.
- Maintain an active understanding of professional developments in the inter-agency ombuds and mediation sphere through engaging with UNOMS, the networks of ombudsmen and mediators of organizations within the Chief Executives Board (CEB) and the UN and Related International Organizations (UNARIO), and the International Ombudsman Association (IOA).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum qualifications (Years of Experience / Degree Level):
9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): Spanish
,English
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Cross-cultural communication, Confidentiality, Conflict Management, Conflict Management Coaching, Conflict Resolutions, Facilitation, Human Resources (HR), MG-Proactive risk mitigation and problem management, SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving, SO-Interpersonal skills, SO-Presentation skills, SO-Situational Judgement, WB - Mediation
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Conflict Resolution, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Resources, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Psychology, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
CertificationsMediation - Other
Work ExperienceOmbudsing
CompetenciesAnalytical thinking (Outstanding - 5), Client & results orientation (Outstanding - 5), Communication, Empowering & building trust (Outstanding - 5), Integrity (Outstanding - 5), Judgement & decision making (Outstanding - 5), Negotiation & conflict resolution (Outstanding - 5), Organizational awareness (Outstanding - 5), Professionalism (Outstanding - 5), Respect for diversity (Outstanding - 5), System Thinking (Good - 4), Teamwork & collaboration (Outstanding - 5)
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance