Senior Mediation Adviser

The Senior Mediation Adviser provides specialized technical and process expertise in mediation and peace processes, supporting the Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers (SBT) mechanism. The role involves rapid deployment to provide short-term, targeted advice to UN officials and partners engaged in conflict prevention or mediation efforts globally.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized technical and process expertise in mediation and peace processes in support of the Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers (SBT) mechanism.
• Rapidly deploy to provide short-term, targeted technical advice to UN officials and other stakeholders engaged in conflict prevention or mediation efforts.
• Support United Nations envoys, political and peacekeeping missions, country teams, regional organizations and partners in mediation and good offices worldwide.
• Design, facilitate or advise on mediation, political or peace processes at various levels.
• Mainstream gender considerations into mediation and peacebuilding work.
• Coordinate assignments with the DPPA Mediation Support Unit (MSU) which manages the SBT mechanism.
• Be permanently available for deployment on short notice and comply with UNOPS policies and contractual obligations.

Requirements

• Strong analytical capacity and substantive knowledge in mediation, political or peace processes at national, subnational or local levels.
• Significant direct experience in leading, designing, facilitating or advising on mediation and peace processes.
• Significant process design expertise and demonstrated understanding of conflict mediation dynamics.
• Ability to work in dynamic and high-pressure situations and meet short deadlines.
• Competence in mainstreaming gender into work.
• Good knowledge of the United Nations’ institutional structure, mandates, policies and roles, and its relationships with Regional Organizations and other international partners.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the values enshrined in the United Nations Charter, humanitarian and human rights standards, including Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250 on Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace & Security respectively.
• Capacity to travel frequently and on short notice (within 72 hours) and carry out extended field assignments (usually 2 to 3 weeks, occasionally longer).
• Ability to adjust work schedule for significant remote support, conduct research and support policy and guidance material development.
• Ability to live and work under difficult conditions with no guarantee of field assignments.
• Understanding that this is a consultancy role, not a UN staff position, with no expectation of ongoing involvement or ownership of projects.
• Availability for deployment on short notice and prohibition on outside employment during full-time engagement with the SBT mechanism.
• Knowledge of UNOPS policies and Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) contractual modality.

Skills

• Mediation Expertise
• Peace Process Design
• Conflict Mediation Dynamics
• Political Process Knowledge
• Gender Mainstreaming
• United Nations Institutional Knowledge
• International Human Rights Standards
• Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250
• Rapid Deployment
• Field Assignment Experience
• Policy Development
• Research Skills
• High-Pressure Work Adaptability
• Consultancy Contract Knowledge
• UNOPS Policies
• Stakeholder Advising
• Procedure Facilitation
• International Partnerships

Languages

English, French