Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS). UNOMS 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. The Senor Mediator will report to the Chief of Service and will be under the general supervision of the United Nations Ombudsman. ResponsibilitiesUnder the general authority of the United Nations Ombudsman and the supervision of the Chief of Service, the Senior Mediator will be responsible for the following duties: • Leads the planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of the mediation programme of the Office, in consultation and collaboration with the regional ombudsman branches who provide mediation services in their respective areas of responsibility. • Supports the Chief of Service and the United Nations Ombudsman in assessing cases to determine suitability for mediation. • Conducts mediations by helping all parties to resolve workplace conflicts in a voluntary and confidential process, acting as a neutral third-party, helps parties identify and understand issues and interests, explore options, and generate solutions to which all parties agree, helps parties negotiate agreements, and drafts agreements when required. • Handles mediation cases referred internally by UNOMS case officers and co-mediates when requested or as appropriate. Drafts mediation agreements when needed and supports other UNOMS case officers in this regard. • Serves as the focal point for cases referred for informal efforts, including mediation, by the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, The Management Advice and Evaluation Section, and other Stakeholders. • Liaises with the relevant offices in the appropriate parts of the internal systems on matters related to mediation. • Supports the Chief of Service in assessing and evaluating the skills and abilities of the officers in delivering mediation services. As needed, makes recommendations, and identifies areas that need strengthening and/or skill building for inclusion into the Office’s learning programme. • Conducts internal training for UNOMS staff to upskill in mediation practices and to share lessons learned. • Develops internal guidelines and protocols for the mediation process especially when the mediation requires formal interaction with other offices. • Contributes to assessment and feedback on organizational policies with regards to mediation and the promotion of the Informal First approach. • Participates in developing and delivering outreach and learning activities on mediation as part of the Office’s overall outreach programme. • Contributes to the work of UNOMS in identifying trends and patterns in the workplace. • Performs extensive research and analysis and prepares inputs, briefings, and talking points for the Office regarding mediation. • Collects and maintains statistics on mediation for the preparation of reports, including UNOMS’ Annual Activities Report to the General Assembly. • Prepares information for intergovernmental committees. • Conducts official missions (virtual and in-person) as and when needed. • Performs other duties to support the Office in its core functions as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism – Knowledge of alternative dispute and conflict resolution systems, especially mediation. Knowledge of the United Nations activities and organizational structure; ability to establish and maintain confidentiality. Ability to prepare reports, formulate positions on issues, articulate options concisely conveying maximum necessary information. Established record for integrity and for dealing fairly, comfortably and responsibly in all professional interactions. Ability to exercise sound judgement in the context of cases and assignments given. Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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 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. Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately. 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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAn advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent degree) in alternative dispute resolution, law, administration, human resources management, social sciences, or related field is required. A first-level degree with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience including five at the international level in mediation, legal, dispute resolution or related fields is required. Professional training in mediation is required. Experience in workplace conflict management in a public administration context is desirable. Experience conducting mediation using different methods is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English 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. 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. 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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31st October 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply:Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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.