Organization: United
Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS)
Duty
Station: Entebbe, Uganda
Reports
to: ASYCUDA Regional Coordinator for East and Southern Africa
Job
Opening Number: 51516
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.
Job
Summary: The Regional Ombudsman heads the United Nations Regional Ombudsman’s
Office in Entebbe, which is one of seven regional branches of the UN Office of
Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS). UNOMS was established as the informal
pillar of the internal system of administration of justice to make available to
staff the services of impartial and neutral persons to address work-related
concerns. The branch in Entebbe provides services to staff in UNAMID, UNMISS,
UNISFA, the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, as well as other UN offices and
peacekeeping missions, as required. The Regional Ombudsman reports to the Chief
of Office of UNOMS in New York and works under the overall direction of the UN
Ombudsman. The Regional Ombudsman supervises a Conflict Resolution Officer (P3)
and an Administrative Assistant (FS-5).
Key
Duties and Responsibilities:
·
Manage and direct the work of the Regional Ombudsman’s
Office in Entebbe;
·
Provide impartial, independent and informal conflict
resolution services to resolve employment-related concerns for staff members;
·
Explore with staff members their options and
different avenues open to them, taking into account the interests, rights and
obligations existing between the Organization and staff members;
·
Contact relevant actors in the various UN missions
and offices, as an independent neutral, to achieve solutions to work-related
problems raised by staff members;
·
The incumbent will provide counsel and coaching to
staff members for handling employment-related situations;
·
Carry out mediations, under the guidance of the
Director of the Mediation Service, as required;
·
Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness
about informal conflict resolution options and deliver skill-building
activities to enhance conflict competence of staff and managers;
·
Identify and analyze policies, procedures and
practices within the Organization that tend to cause tension or conflict and
provide upward feedback to management, as appropriate;
·
Maintain regular consultation with the Office of
Ombudsman and Mediation Services at UN Headquarters, conferring as appropriate
on sensitive cases and on systemic issues;
·
Prepare and submit periodic activity reports for
the Office of Ombudsman and Mediation Services, including statistics on cases,
outreach and systemic observations;
·
Mentor and supervise the Conflict Resolution
Officer and the Administrative Assistant, including performance management and
development;
·
Travel to peacekeeping missions on a regular
basis, to provide opportunities for individual meetings with staff and managers
as well as outreach and conflict competence training;
·
Actively contribute to Office-wide projects and
initiatives, as required;
·
Perform any other duties, as assigned.
Qualifications,
Skills and Experience:
·
The ideal candidate for the United Nations
Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS)
Regional Ombudsman career opportunity should hold an advanced university
degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in administration, dispute
resolution, human resources management, human relations, law, management,
organizational development, counseling or other related area. A first-level
university degree in any of these fields, in combination with two additional
years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced
university degree.
·
At least ten years of progressively responsible
experience in dispute resolution, human resources management, law,
organizational management or related field, is required, including at least
five years at the international level. Work experience in a UN peacekeeping or
mission is highly desirable.
·
Significant experience in alternative dispute
resolution is desirable. Experience working in Africa is an asset.
·
Languages: Fluency in
English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge French is desirable.
Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
·
Demonstrates ability to outline options on how to
navigate the handling of a broad range of work-related concerns;
·
Shows knowledge of third party neutral conflict
resolution and mediation principles;
·
Proven ability to identify visitors’ needs, create
a safe and confidential environment, and explore possible options;
·
Ability to establish trust and maintain productive
partnerships with visitors and stakeholders, respecting the principles of neutrality
and confidentiality;
·
Is able to negotiate difficult situations taking
into account the interests of all sides;
·
Shows respect and empathy for individuals;
·
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;
·
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.
·
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
·
Considers all those to whom services are provided
to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
·
Builds and strengthens 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.
·
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.
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.
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.
All suitably
qualified and interested candidates desiring to serve the United Nations
Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS)
as the Regional Ombudsman should express their interest by visiting the UN
recruitment website and clicking Apply Now.
Deadline:
20th February, 2016
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