Ombudsperson

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Ombudsperson
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) was established to provide impartial and neutral services to address work-related concerns of UN employees. It operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), providing conflict resolution services to both organizations. UNOMS aims to foster a harmonious workplace environment and enhance employee satisfaction through effective conflict resolution.

Job Overview:
The Ombudsperson will be responsible for providing impartial, independent, confidential, and informal conflict resolution services to personnel at ITU and WIPO. This role involves clarifying and reframing issues, guiding individuals in addressing their concerns, and facilitating communication among parties in conflict. The Ombudsperson will engage with relevant stakeholders to achieve solutions to work-related issues, conduct outreach activities to raise awareness about conflict resolution options, and provide feedback to management on policies that may cause tension. The position requires a proactive approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing skill-building and promoting a positive workplace culture.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide impartial and confidential conflict resolution services to ITU and WIPO personnel.
• Clarify issues and assist in reframing them to explore options available to personnel.
• Guide individuals in addressing their concerns directly with other parties.
• Consult with managers to develop cooperative strategies and facilitate conversations.
• Undertake mediation and shuttle diplomacy to facilitate communication among conflicting parties.
• Engage with stakeholders to achieve resolutions to work-related issues.
• Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness about informal conflict resolution options.
• Develop educational tools and conduct information sessions for personnel.
• Analyze policies and practices that may cause conflict and provide feedback to management. 1
• Maintain contact with other ombudspersons and mediators in the UN system to share best practices. 1
• Provide periodic reports to the Office of the Ombudsman on activities and systemic observations.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, public administration, dispute resolution, human resources, law, or related fields.
• A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Formal training in mediation or informal conflict resolution disciplines is required.
• Demonstrated ability to handle a broad range of work-related concerns and knowledge of conflict resolution principles.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as social sciences, public administration, dispute resolution, human resources, law, or management. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Formal training in mediation or conflict resolution is also required.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience is required, including at least five years at the international level in dispute resolution, human resources management, law, or a related field. Experience in providing informal conflict resolution services in the workplace is desirable, as is experience working in an international organization setting.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French is required, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is for an initial period of one year, and staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply. The position is limited to the Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.