Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba, Office of Chief of Staff, Strategic Planning Unit. Juba is classified in the “E” category and as a non-family duty station. The Mission Planning Officer reports through the Team Leader of the Strategic Planning Unit to the Mission Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Senior Mission Planning Officer (Team Leader of the Strategic Planning Unit) and the overall guidance of the Chief of Staff, the Mission Planning Officer will:

•By conducting research and writing initial drafts of document segments, contributes to development, implementation and monitoring of strategies to maximise the individual and collective impact of the UN’s response in South Sudan, concentrating on mandated tasks and activities required to consolidate peace, through a strategic partnership between UNMISS and the UN country team. 
•Provides advice to senior management and programme managers on planning guidance and tools, especially the UN Policy on Integrated Assessment and Planning (IAP); provides recommendations on design of specific planning tools and mechanisms, in line with policy and best practice, to meet the needs of the Mission and partners. 
•Provides secretariat support and technical assistance to integrated field coordination structures, as required; supports Mission participation in meetings of the Headquarters-based Integrated Task Force. 
•As directed, contributes to the development and implementation of an UN Integrated Strategic Framework for peace consolidation in the country, including a system for monitoring and evaluation of progress. 
•By making suggestions and drafting inputs for review and approval by the Senior Mission Planning Officer, assists in the preparation of a Mission Concept, which, building on the vision of the SRSG, 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. 
•By compiling and analyzing data, contributes to preparation of the Mission Results-Based Budget (RBB) frameworks and performance reports, and of inputs as required for audits, budget monitoring and performance reporting.
• Proactively interact and collaborate with planning focal points across Mission components to help foster a culture of planning and coordination and provides technical support to the Mission components in development of component-level plans, in a way to ensure coherence with the Mission’s overall strategic direction and planning tools, and to support joint and integrated planning between Mission components, UN country team members and other relevant partners in accordance with the IAP Policy and senior management guidance.
•Performs other duties as required. 

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
•Mission Senior Management;
•Heads and planning focal points of Mission Components; 
•The Headquarters Integrated Task Force (ITF); 
•The UN Country Team.

Results Expected: 
•Integrated planning mechanisms at field level function in accordance with the IAP policy. 
•An Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF) developed through a partnership with the UN Country Team and the Mission, and in coordination with other relevant entities outside the UN, monitored and evaluated in accordance with established standards. 
•RBB is consistent with other planning processes and documents.

Competencies

Professionalism:
-Good knowledge of institutional mandates and policies of the institutions of the UN system, peacekeeping in particular
-Familiarity with UNMISS’ mandate and the strategic and operational environment in South Sudan and East Africa
-Knowledge on strategy design, management and monitoring, particularly on UN integrated assessment and planning processes
-Demonstrated experience in coordinating and facilitating multi-stakeholder processes
-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

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

Planning & Organizing:
-Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
-Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
-Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
-Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
-Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
-Uses time efficiently

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Management or Development, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is an asset.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, humanitarian affairs, development, programme management or related field. At least one full year of experience working in a UN 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 conflict or post conflict setting is required. Knowledge of relevant UN policies, processes and operations is highly desirable. Experience in monitoring programmes or planning in a transition context is desirable. Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder processes in a peace consolidation setting is required. Experience working directly on UN field operation strategic planning processes is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

No Fee

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.