STANDARD PRE-SELECTION TEST SCHEDULED for 14 October-16 October 2017.
Screened-in applicants will be invited by email to take the Standard Pre-selection Test (SPT); please ensure that your primary email address in Inspira is correct as this will be used for the invitation. No communications will be sent to your secondary email address.
Information on the SPT will also be available on your « My Upcoming Test Schedule » page in Inspira. The SPT will take place between 10:00 a.m. on 14th October to 9:59 a.m. on 16th October 2017 (EST, New York time). Applicants must complete the test during this 48-hour testing window in order to remain under consideration.

All applicants should regularly check the United Nations HR Portal at https://hr.un.org/page/assessment or their « My Upcoming Test Schedule » page in Inspira for any updates/changes after the closing of this job opening, particularly during the week before the scheduled testing dates.

Please note that applicants who apply as rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and accordingly, will not be invited to participate in the SPT or any other assessments (including any written exam, interview, etc.) throughout the selection process. For more information about the assessment process, please visit the United Nations HR Portal.

Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Is a career at the United Nations right for you? Take the voluntary self-assessment questionnaire and get valuable insight into the working environment of the United Nations as well as the Political, Peace and Humanitarian Network (POLNET). This questionnaire is anonymous and has no impact on your potential candidacy for this position. Upon completion, you will receive feedback to help you decide if working in the United Nations is right for you.

Start Questionnaire.

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Justice and Corrections section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in Bangui. Bangui is classified as a “D” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The senior Corrections Officer reports to the Principal Justice and Corrections Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, and under the supervision of Chief of the Justice and Correction Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Lead and manage the development and implementation of the mission’s strategies related to the strengthening and development of all aspects of the corrections system, including: implementation of applicable international standards, development and implementation of strategic planning processes, development, implementation and assessment of training programmes, review and development of relevant legislation, rehabilitation of facilities, management of prisoners and staff, management of critical strategic and operational issues, supporting the development of effective linkages with the police and the court system. This will be undertaken by advising, coaching and mentoring national counterparts, facilitating access to training and assisting to develop a strategic national prison development plan.
• Establish and maintain contacts and effective relations with senior national government officials and civil society representatives, including counterparts in the Ministry of Justice and/or other relevant Ministries, the police, courts, prisons, non-governmental organizations, universities and law schools, media, diplomatic missions and donors.
• Build linkages with development partners and donors to ensure a seamless transition to long term development support and mobilization of resources where necessary.
• Advise on and prepare assessment reports, policy documents, guidelines and reports addressing complex strategic and operational prison system issues including rehabilitation of infrastructure.
• Participate in coordination mechanisms at mission level, maintaining close working relationships with relevant components (human rights, police, justice, gender, etc.) and United Nations entities, and represent the mission as required.
• Perform programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the mission’s corrections component, including the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, recruiting staff and managing and evaluating staff performance.
• Perform any other task as requested by the mission leadership.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates in-depth understanding of corrections system issues, including operational procedures and the use of force and knowledge of relevant international human rights standards; capacity to adopt a strategic approach to the development of a prison system, commitment to implement the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; acts without consideration of personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority; stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.

Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats men and women equally; shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses; does not discriminate against any individual or group.

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.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Managerial Competencies

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 improvements; 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.

Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in criminology, social sciences or related areas is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Required experience:
– A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in prison management is required. At least two years of practical experience in security and incident intervention.
– A minimum of one year experience providing technical assistance for strengthening the corrections system in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post advertised, fluency in either English or French with knowledge of the other is required. Fluency in English and French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Core values and competencies will be assessed throughout the evaluation process.

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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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 At-a-Glance on « The Application Process » and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.