Org. Setting and ReportingUNOMS was established as the informal pillar of the internal system of administration of justice to make available to employees the services of impartial and neutral persons to address work related concerns of UN employees. This position is located in the Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS). Pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by UNOMS, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the incumbent will provide informal conflict resolution services to ITU and WIPO, sharing equally his/her working time between the two organizations during the first year of service. The Ombudsperson reports directly to the Chief of Service and will be under the general supervision of the United Nations Ombudsman. The Ombudsperson will be based in Geneva at the Headquarters of ITU and WIPO. ResponsibilitiesUnder the general authority of the United Nations Ombudsman and the supervision of the Chief of Service, the Ombudsperson will be responsible for the following duties: Provide impartial, independent, confidential and informal conflict resolution services to resolve employment-related concerns for ITU and WIPO personnel. Clarify and assist in reframing issues, provide guidance on the interpretation of the ITU and WIPO policies and procedures and explore with ITU and WIPO personnel their options and different avenues open to them, taking into account the interests, rights and obligations existing between organizations in which the Ombudsperson operates and their personnel. Guide or coach individuals to deal directly with other parties, helping them to improve their skill and confidence in giving voice to their concerns, consult managers to develop cooperative strategies, facilitate conversations and/or group meetings; undertake mediation and/or shuttle-diplomacy to facilitate communication among parties in conflict, as well as information-gathering. Engage with the relevant actors and stakeholders at ITU and WIPO, in an independent and neutral manner, to achieve solutions to work-related issues raised by personnel. Undertake outreach activities (including developing education and communication tools and conducting information sessions) among ITU and WIPO personnel to raise awareness about informal conflict resolution options and deliver skill-building activities to enhance conflict competence of ITU and WIPO and promote a harmonious and engaging workplace. Identify and analyze policies, procedures and practices within the ITU and WIPO that tend to cause tension or conflict and provide upward feedback to management, as appropriate. Provide regular feedback to the executive heads of ITU and WIPO, as well as relevant stakeholders within the two entities, including statistics on cases, outreach and systemic recommendations. Provide periodic activity reports to the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services including statistics on cases, outreach and systemic observations. Maintain close contact with the ombudspersons and mediators serving in other agencies in the United Nations System, identify training and share good practices, and participate in the development of standards and policies. CompetenciesProfessionalism: 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; demonstrates ability to create a safe and confidential environment; demonstrates excellent listening skills, and the ability to establish empathy, respect and the highest level of integrity, discretion, professionalism, neutrality and confidentiality; is able to negotiate difficult situations taking into account the interests of all sides; clearly understands the nature of conflicts and methods of resolution; shows conscientiousness and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; 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. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be \"clients\" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains 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. Demonstrates the ability to establish working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensibility and respect for diversity. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Communicates effectively with individuals at all levels. 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. Judgement/decision making: Demonstrates excellent problem solving and analytical skills. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, public administration, dispute resolution, human resources, law or related fields, management, counseling or other related area 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 in the specified fields of studies. Formal training in mediation and/or other informal conflict resolution disciplines. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience, including at least five years at the international level in dispute resolution, human resources management, law, or related field is required. Experience providing informal conflict resolution services in the workplace is desirable. Experience working in an international organization setting is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special NoticeAppointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The appointment against this position is limited to the Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services. Candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of \"internal candidate\" in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA-limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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 FeeTHE 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.