United Nations JPO Programme

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Junior Professional Officer (JPO) 19P135

I. General Information Title: JPO in Policy and Planning

Sector of Assignment (e.g., Political Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, Administration etc.): Political Affairs

Organization/Office: / Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

[Non-Family Duty Station: yes / no X]

Duration: [1 year (with possible extension for another year)] [Extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance]

II. Supervision Title of Supervisor: Chief of Staff

Content and methodology of supervision: Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and his/her supervisor.

Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate of the JPO’s performance.

Regular bilateral meetings.

III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations The post is located in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria and based in Geneva.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, the JPO will perform the following tasks:

- Provide substantive and operational support to the Special Envoy in implementing the Mission's mandate; - Keep the Special Envoy informed on all matters requiring his/her personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed; - Assist in managing the Special Envoy's meetings and Mission events, prepare written summaries and conduct follow-up activities, as appropriate; Coordinate/draft correspondence for the Special Envoy's signature and for other senior officials; - Maintain contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments, civil society actors, academic and research institutions, and other partners on coordination and policy matters. -Compile and analyzes data, contributes to preparation of the Mission Results-Based Budget (RBB) framework and performance reports, and of inputs as required for audits, budget monitoring and performance reporting; -Provides background information and drafts documents for review approval by the Chief of Staff Senior in order to support Mission components in development of component-level plans, including to ensure coherence with the Mission’s overall strategic direction and planning tools; - Coordinate/draft summary and analytical reports and papers including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file, talking points, speeches, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council. - Assess implications and make recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives; Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation;

- Perform other relevant duties as requested by the Special Envoy or the Chief of Staff.

IV. Qualifications and Experience Education: Advanced university degree in international relations, history, political science, or related field. A first-level university degree with a combination of 2 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree.

Work experience: At least two (2) years of work experience in international political affairs (preferably within the UN Secretariat) with experience in political research and analysis, provision of policy advice, drafting of talking points/speeches and background materials for senior officials is required.

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required.

UN competencies:

PROFESSIONALISM: 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

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 the 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

PLANNING & 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

V. Learning Elements On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have/be able to: - Understand and analyze the political context of complex situations in multilateral diplomacy - Gained insights into how bilateral meetings with high-level political officials are prepared and conducted. - Draft reports and summaries of politically sensitive meetings. - Ensure follow-up and maintenance of relations with counterparts. - Gained an understanding of the complexity of mediation processes and how to assist them. - Work under pressure in a multicultural environment.

VI. Background Information

The United Nations supports the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) and the 2012 Geneva Communiqué, through its facilitation of an inclusive, credible, sustainable, Syrian-led political solution to the Syrian conflict, that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people to dignity, freedom and justice based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination.

In February 2012, the General Assembly passed a resolution 66/253 requesting the UN to partner with the League of Arab States in support of a peaceful solution to the Syrian conflict through a political transition. This led to former UN Secretary-General ’s appointment as the Joint Special Envoy. In April 2012, the Security Council adopted resolutions 2042 and 2043 endorsing Annan’s six-point plan and establishing the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) to monitor and support its implementation. In June 2012, Annan convened a meeting where key international and regional stakeholders adopted the Geneva Communiqué, a document which aimed to strengthen the implementation of the six-point plan and chart a political way forward. To this day, the Communique continues to provide the UN guidance on its mediation efforts toward a political transition. The Geneva Communique was endorsed by the General Assembly in resolution 66/253-B in August 2012 and by the Security Council in resolution 2118 in September 2013. Amidst increasing violence across the entire country, the Security Council was unable to renew the UNSMIS mandate beyond August 2012.

In August 2012, following the departure of Kofi Annan, the Secretaries-General of the UN and the Arab League appointed as their new Joint Special Representative. Brahimi convened negotiations in Geneva in January and February 2014, which aimed to provide space for the Syrian sides to agree on a full implementation of the Geneva Communiqué. While the parties agreed on an agenda (transitional governing body; violence and terrorism; national institutions; reconciliation) they could not agree on the sequence for negotiating these issues. Brahimi suspended the negotiations and did not extend his assignment beyond May 2014.

The Secretary-General appointed Staffan de Mistura as Special Envoy for Syria in July 2014. Intense diplomatic engagement in 2015 between Russia and the US, and other key international stakeholders resulted in the establishment of the International Syrian Support Group (ISSG) and the adoption of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015). Resolution 2254 (2015) reiterated the endorsement of the Geneva Communiqué and set the Special Envoy’s mandate. The resolution established a sequence and timeline for a political transition, including negotiations on the establishment of a credible, inclusive, non-sectarian governance and a process and timeline for drafting a new constitution. It also called for free and fair elections, including the diaspora, pursuant to the new constitution and held under UN supervision.

From January 2016 to January 2018, Special Envoy de Mistura conducted a series of intra-Syrian talks. By late 2017 and throughout 2018, these efforts progressively focused on two key aspects of resolution 2254: the schedule and process for drafting a new constitution and precise requirements for UN-supervised elections.

In January 2019, the Secretary-General appointed Geir O. Pedersen as the fourth Special Envoy for Syria. Special

Envoy Pedersen currently leads the UN’s efforts to advance the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 and the 2012 Geneva Communiqué.

Since the beginning of the conflict, Syria has witnessed unprecedented devastation and displacement, compounded by the violations of international law, humanitarian law and human rights law, including the use of internationally proscribed chemical weapons. Impunity has been a hallmark of the Syrian conflict and has challenged one of the UN’s core values—accountability. An important step to address accountability was made on 21 December 2016 when the General Assembly adopted resolution 71-248 to establish the International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to assist in the investigation and prosecution of the most serious crimes under international law, in particular the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Staffing National: 31 International: 60 Total: 91