PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS OFFICER

Organizational Context

This position is within the Policy and Best Practices Service of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) in the UN Secretariat. The Department provides direction to UN Peacekeeping operations globally. The Service develops and disseminates peacekeeping policy and doctrine, evaluates policy application, and fosters strategic cooperation with partners.

Job Purpose

The Protection of Civilians Officer (PoC Officer) supports the implementation of Protection of Civilians (POC) mandates within UN peacekeeping operations. This involves developing, implementing, and evaluating POC policies and strategies, ensuring political strategies and peacebuilding efforts inform POC mandates, and vice versa. The role integrates POC considerations into mission planning, provides specialist input on POC to guidance and training materials, and contributes to policy debates and lessons learned exercises. The officer also drafts written outputs, coordinates outreach, conducts training, and participates in field missions.

Responsibilities

The Protection of Civilians Officer will improve the implementation of POC mandates in UN peacekeeping operations, collaborating with experts and regional desks. Key duties include developing, implementing, and evaluating POC policy and guidance, monitoring program development, and ensuring alignment between political strategies and POC mandates. The role involves integrating POC into mission planning, researching and analyzing information, providing specialist inputs for guidance and training, and contributing to policy debates. The officer will also contribute to lessons learned exercises, draft written outputs, coordinate outreach and training activities, participate in field missions, and assist with budget-related activities.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the protection of civilians in armed conflict is required. Experience backstopping POC-mandated field missions, developing POC policy and guidance, and engaging Member States on POC issues are also required.

Skills

Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, Knowledge of peacekeeping operations and POC mandates, Ability to analyze socio-political issues, Conscientiousness, Efficiency, Persistence, Calmness under stress, Gender perspective integration.

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