UN DPO Programme Officer - Partnerships

Job Posting Organization:
The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) is a key component of the United Nations, established to serve as an integrated center of excellence for peace operations. The DPO is responsible for preventing, responding to, and managing conflicts while sustaining peace in various countries where UN peace operations are deployed. The organization focuses on facilitating political agreements, providing strategic and operational advice, and developing integrated strategies for peace operations. The DPO operates globally, with a significant presence at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions.

Job Overview:
The UN DPO Programme Officer for Partnerships will play a crucial role in the Office for the Peacekeeping Strategic Partnership (OPSP) at the United Nations Headquarters. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating assigned programs and projects related to peacekeeping operations. This position requires a strong analytical background to monitor and analyze program development, identify issues, and initiate corrective actions. The officer will also coordinate policy development, conduct research, and prepare written outputs such as reports and background papers. The role involves significant collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including military and police components, to ensure effective peacekeeping operations. The officer will also be tasked with identifying systemic gaps in UN peacekeeping operations and coordinating budget-related activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the UN DPO Programme Officer include:

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating assigned programs/projects, monitoring their progress, and analyzing their effectiveness.
• Performing consulting assignments in collaboration with clients, facilitating workshops, and assisting in the development of action plans.
• Researching, analyzing, and presenting information from diverse sources to support decision-making.
• Coordinating policy development, including reviewing and analyzing issues and trends, and preparing evaluations or research activities.
• Generating survey initiatives, designing data collection tools, and interpreting responses to identify problems and prepare conclusions.
• Organizing and preparing written outputs, including drafting background papers and reports.
• Providing substantive backstopping to meetings and conferences, including proposing agenda topics and preparing documents.
• Initiating and coordinating outreach activities, conducting training workshops, and making presentations.
• Coordinating reviews with stakeholders, including military and police advisers, and monitoring program/project development. 1
• Supporting OPSP in identifying and addressing systemic gaps in peacekeeping operations. 1
• Coordinating budget-related activities and preparing related documents and reports. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to peace operations. They should demonstrate the ability to identify and analyze issues, conduct independent research, and manage conflicting priorities effectively. Professionalism, communication skills, and teamwork are essential competencies for this role. The candidate should show a commitment to gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Additionally, the candidate must exhibit a high level of integrity and efficiency in their work, demonstrating persistence in overcoming challenges and maintaining a calm demeanor in stressful situations.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in military science, international relations, political and social science, administration, management, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of peace operations and the strategic partnerships involved.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of experience in project or program management, administration, or a related area is required. Candidates must also have at least seven years of experience in the military profession at the rank of major, with staff experience at the operational or strategic level. Experience serving in a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation or a similar setting is essential, as is experience at UN Headquarters or a similar international organization. Candidates should also have experience in evaluating the performance of military units deployed to UN peacekeeping operations and identifying systemic gaps in mandate implementation.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is considered desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and collaboration within the UN Secretariat and with international partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available from October 1, 2026, until June 30, 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position is funded through Extra-budgetary funds, and while it may provide new work experience, it does not guarantee future employment. Eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.