Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO), Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO), Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Branch. The DDR Branch provides planning and operational support to DDR programmes and community violence reduction in the following peacekeeping operations: United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU). The Branch also assists Special Political Missions as well as nonmission settings with planning for DDR and associated processes. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Branch. Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO) was established in late 2025 to strengthen the United Nations' capacity to prevent conflict and sustain peace by supporting prevention, peacebuilding, and peace support across the full conflict continuum, including early warning, crisis response, peace operations, political missions, mission transitions, and post-mission engagement. (https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/)

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Officer will perform the following duties:

Focal point for DDR components ofl-3 contexts, responsible for the planning, implementation and evaluation of DDR programmes in mission and non-mission settings.
Provides technical assistance to UN team at peace negotiations. Participates in technical assessment missions.
Supports programme/project development and implementation, including monitoring progress, reviewing documents and liaising with relevant parties.
Develops and reviews the DDR content in reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council and other relevant documents.
Advises, develops and reviews (as appropriate) initial DDR functional strategy and concept of operations for further development into a full programme by the DDR unit and the National Commission for DDR.
Provides Headquarters support in planning the civilian and military support for DDR.
Continually reviews DDR programme strategy and implementation through relevant documents, reports and code cables.
Conducts field missions to assess implementation of DDR programmes.
Identifies potential problems and issues to be addressed and suggests remedies to DDR units in the field.
Liaises with Member States, UN actors and other interested partners to represent DDR component at Headquarters level.
Participates in strategic thinking on DDR related areas of work.
Develops initial results based framework and budget for new DDR components in new mission.
Develops staffing structure and terms of reference for DDR unit, including terms of integration with other UN agencies, funds and programmes.
Supports South-South Cooperation initiatives and other assigned thematic areas.
Contributes to the development and implementation of communications strategies.
Supports the doctrine development work in the area of DDR in the department, with the Interagency working group 30% on DDR and other relevant national and international actors working on DDR issues.
Contributes to department level or Policy Committee level policy development work on DDR and related issues Maintain and further develop the Integrated DDR Standards - a set of interagency policies, guidelines and procedures on DDR.
Liaises with others (UN, regional organizations and Member States) providing DDR training.
Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of DDR concepts and approaches; Knowledge of peacekeeping mandates and structures in the field; excellent research, analytical and problem solving skills; ability to work with minimal supervision and define priorities. 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. Planning and 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. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in the field of Political Science, International Relations or related discipline. A first level degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience in disarmament affairs, military studies, political affairs, international relations or a related field may be accepted in lieu.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years relevant experience, preferably in an international organization. Field experience in a peacekeeping, peacebuilding operations or development programmes is required. One year of direct experience in the field of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), including Community Violence reduction (CVR), is required. Experience working in a large multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team and coordinate with multiple partner agencies, funds or programmes is desirable. One year experience working in a field location, with a peace-keeping operation, a special political mission or with another international organization including non-governmental organizations is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 30 April 2027. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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. 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (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.

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegratioin Officier (Temporary Job Opening)