Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located within the Justice and Corrections Service (JCS) in the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The Chief of Service reports to the Deputy Head/Director of PBPSO and the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding and Peace Support. PBPSO was reorganized as a result of integration of DPPA's Peacebuilding Support Office with three offices formerly within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), as endorsed by A/RES/80/242 of 31 December 2025. PBPSO comprises seven main sections: OASG, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Section; Justice and Corrections Service; Security Sector Reform Unit; the Peacebuilding Commission Support Branch; the Peacebuilding Strategy and Partnerships Branch; and the Peacebuilding Fund Branch. PBPSO is headed by an Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) with dual reporting duties to the Under Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and the Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to UN peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and nongovernmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPO also provides guidance and support on military, police, rule of law, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Chief of Justice and Corrections Service will be responsible for the following duties: • Provides strategic direction and oversight for the work of JCS, focusing on the operationalization and mandate implementation of rule of law, justice and corrections components within United Nations peace operations and rule of law capacities in non-mission settings. This includes ensuring and overseeing that JCS provides strategic advice and operational support to the rule of law, justice and corrections components of United Nations peace operations; conducts periodic reviews of the work of justice, corrections and rule of law components of peace operations; develops, updates and distributes guidance materials, procedures, training materials, lessons learned studies and best practice materials in areas related to the strengthening of legal, judicial and prison systems; and supports approaches for identifying and selecting candidates to serve in field positions. • Formulates, leads and directly manages the substantive work programme of the Service including the Justice and Corrections Standing Capacity, under his/her supervision, while advancing the goals of gender balance and geographic diversity in all aspects of the work of the Service. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Service, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and in coordination with other PBPSO branches and components and relevant partners within and outside of the United Nations System, as appropriate. • Actively participates in PBPSO's Senior Management Team (SMT), including to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of the Office and its contributions to peacebuilding and peace support. • Contributes to efforts to improve the system-wide effectiveness and coherence of United Nations activities in the rule of law area, including by promoting an integrated approach to the rule of law within DPO and DPPA in close collaboration with the Police Division, Integrated Operations Teams (IOTs) and Regional Desks. Represents DPO in Rule of Law coordination mechanisms, guiding the work of the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law as a member of its management team, and drawing upon other partners within and beyond the United Nations system to further the implementation of mandated activities. • Advises the leadership of DPO and DPPA, heads of IOTs and senior leadership of peace operations and special political missions on rule of law issues. • Mobilizes support for justice and corrections engagement in United Nations peace operations and other relevant settings, including through briefings and reports to intergovernmental bodies and other policy-making organs on budget/programme performance and programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate. • Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Service under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Service and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. • Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards; that reporting is clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Assists the Deputy Head/Director and the Assistant Secretary-General in preparing the work programme of the Service, as part of the PBPSO workplan determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Service, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. • Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries. • Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars. • Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Represents the Service and PBPSO at international, regional or national meetings.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of rule of law, justice and/or corrections matters at the strategic and technical levels. In-depth knowledge of international human rights norms and standards relevant to justice and corrections. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on rule of law issues and to review and edit the work of others. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of United Nations policies, procedures and operations, particularly those relating to peacebuilding, peacekeeping and rule of law. 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. 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. LEADERSHIP Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. MANAGING PERFORMANCE Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law (JD, LLB or equivalent) is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with at least two years of qualifying experience in the field of justice or rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the field of law, international affairs, social sciences or other disciplines related to the rule of law, is required. At least three years of experience providing rule of law-related assistance in developmental, transitional or post-conflict settings outside the applicant's home country is required. Seven years of management experience, including experience managing teams comprised of persons from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, as well as programme planning and analysis experience, is required. At least five years of experience in the headquarters of an international organization is desirable. Significant experience as the chief or deputy chief of a rule of law programme in a post-conflict setting is desirable. Knowledge of UN peace operations and peacebuilding work is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III
Desirable Languages
LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
