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GSFS Haiti-Chief of the Joint Mission Planning Unit-P5-Port au Prince, Haiti
Port au Prince, HaitiPosition Title: Chief of the Joint Mission Planning Unit
Receiving Agency: GSFS Haiti
P Level: P5
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Duration: 18 months (until Sep, 2027)
Language: English and French fluency required.
Background
On 30 September 2025, the United Nations Security Council authorized, in resolution 2793 (UNSCR 2793), Member States to transition the deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of twelve months. The GSF mandate includes multiple tasks, including to conduct intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs that continue to threaten the civilian population, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian institutions.
The United Nations Secretary-General is authorized to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide comprehensive logistical and operational support to the GSF and to the Haitian National police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces on any joint operations with the GSF. UNSOH will also provide technical support, through voluntary funding contributions, to the Organization of American States (OAS) SECURE-Haiti project and will provide standard United Nations mission support services to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH)
The Standing Group of Partners (SGP) has the role of providing, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, high-level strategic direction, oversight, and relevant political decision-making for the GSF as appropriate. The SGP is overall responsible for (a) securing voluntary financial contributions for GSF personnel costs reimbursements; (b) facilitating force (military and police) generation; and (c) providing high level strategic representation and coordination for the GSF.
The SGP shall appoint a Special Representative (SR) who, as in-country head of the GSF, will report to the SGP and provide strategic oversight, representation and coordination for the GSF. The SGP appointed GSF Force Commander shall report to the SR and is responsible for operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making for the uniformed components of the GSF.
The SR is supported by an Office of the SR (the civilian component of the GSF)
Career Experience
The Chief of the Joint Mission Planning Unit shall have: A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic and/or operational planning, programme management, political affairs or policy development at a strategic level, as well as in facilitating and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes in emergency, conflict or post-conflict settings is required. At least three (3) years of experience related to strategic/operational planning, program management or any related field for emergency, conflict or post-conflict environments is required. Practical experience developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems is required. A proven track record of management in multi-cultural settings, including management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams, is required. Experience developing and supporting field mission planning processes in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) or similar international organization is highly desirable. Experience developing or implementing an international organization’s policies, procedures and operations, including for United Nations integrated assessment and planning, country or conflict analysis, risk management and monitoring and evaluation is desirable. An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, economics, finance, management, development studies, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Languages
Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required.
Responsibilities of the Chief of the Joint Mission Planning Unit
The Chief of the Joint Mission Planning Unit (JMPU) is based in Port-au-Prince and shall be responsible to the Chief of Staff (CoS) for coordinating joint mission planning between the Office of the SR, GSF military and police components, in coordination with UNSOH, BINUH and other relevant partners. The Chief JMPU will to this end manage a joint staff of civilian, military and police planners responsible for GSF strategic and operational planning, force generation, and lessons learned. In particular the Chief JMPU shall:
• Manage and coordinate the work of the Joint Mission Planning Unit (JMPU), including preparing, implementing and monitoring the unit’s work plan and managing JMPU staff comprised of an integrated team with a range of expertise (such as political affairs, civil affairs, human rights, military, police, and security). Management responsibilities will include the recruitment and selection of JMPU staff, and the development and promulgation of standard operating procedures for the work of the unit.
• Act as a senior advisor to GSF leadership on joint mission planning issues, including facilitating cross-component and inter-mission joint planning within the GSF and with UNSOH, other UN partners and external actors;
• Lead the strategic coordination of GSF transition from the MSS and subsequently lead development of the GSF strategic mission plan, operational plans and exit strategy, in consultation with GSF Force HQ Operations (J-3) and Plans (J-5) staff, based on the GSF mandate, mission concept (CONOPS), SGP strategic documents and budget submissions and SR’s strategic guidance;
• Facilitate mission level planning and implementation of force generation (military and police), assisting and enabling SGP members, and existing and potential troop and police contributing countries with assessing capabilities and deployment planning.
• In coordination with the CoS and Chief Political Affairs, support periodic mission reporting to the SGP and UN Security Council with specific reference to the mission plan objectives and metrics for measuring GSF progress towards achieving the declared end-state. Coordinate and support GSF civilian and uniformed components to conduct associated internal planning, assessment monitoring and data collection.
• In consultation with the CoS, Chief JOC and Force Commander, facilitate coordination of the development of quarterly joint operational plans, including in depth conflict analysis and identification of concrete operational priorities in line with mandated roles and responsibilities for the GSF;
• Lead quarterly briefings for the SR, Force Commander and GSF senior leadership on the status of mandate implementation, and lead development to this end of a joint monitoring and reporting system to track and assess operational progress based on clear indicators with data provided across all GSF components; and support through these quarterly assessments coherent partnerships with BINUH, UNSOH, The United Nations Country Team, the OAS and the Government of Haiti;
• Provide annual planning assumptions and related data as required to inform the GSF budget submission and review process; and contribute to monitoring GSF budget implementation, including staffing needs and workplace planning, and advise senior management on how to ensure resources are used to support effective implementation of the results-based budget, component plans, and to advance mission priorities for overall mandate implementation;
• Promote and facilitate organizational learning and knowledge-sharing within the GSF, integrating lessons learned, good practices and other operational knowledge into work processes, guidance and planning scenarios.
The Chief Joint Mission Planning Unit shall during GSF start-up and thereafter continue to be responsible for the following tasks:
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
Receiving Agency: GSFS Haiti
P Level: P5
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Duration: 18 months (until Sep, 2027)
Language: English and French fluency required.
Background
On 30 September 2025, the United Nations Security Council authorized, in resolution 2793 (UNSCR 2793), Member States to transition the deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of twelve months. The GSF mandate includes multiple tasks, including to conduct intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs that continue to threaten the civilian population, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian institutions.
The United Nations Secretary-General is authorized to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide comprehensive logistical and operational support to the GSF and to the Haitian National police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces on any joint operations with the GSF. UNSOH will also provide technical support, through voluntary funding contributions, to the Organization of American States (OAS) SECURE-Haiti project and will provide standard United Nations mission support services to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH)
The Standing Group of Partners (SGP) has the role of providing, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, high-level strategic direction, oversight, and relevant political decision-making for the GSF as appropriate. The SGP is overall responsible for (a) securing voluntary financial contributions for GSF personnel costs reimbursements; (b) facilitating force (military and police) generation; and (c) providing high level strategic representation and coordination for the GSF.
The SGP shall appoint a Special Representative (SR) who, as in-country head of the GSF, will report to the SGP and provide strategic oversight, representation and coordination for the GSF. The SGP appointed GSF Force Commander shall report to the SR and is responsible for operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making for the uniformed components of the GSF.
The SR is supported by an Office of the SR (the civilian component of the GSF)
Career Experience
The Chief of the Joint Mission Planning Unit shall have: A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic and/or operational planning, programme management, political affairs or policy development at a strategic level, as well as in facilitating and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes in emergency, conflict or post-conflict settings is required. At least three (3) years of experience related to strategic/operational planning, program management or any related field for emergency, conflict or post-conflict environments is required. Practical experience developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems is required. A proven track record of management in multi-cultural settings, including management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams, is required. Experience developing and supporting field mission planning processes in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) or similar international organization is highly desirable. Experience developing or implementing an international organization’s policies, procedures and operations, including for United Nations integrated assessment and planning, country or conflict analysis, risk management and monitoring and evaluation is desirable. An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, economics, finance, management, development studies, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Languages
Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required.
Responsibilities of the Chief of the Joint Mission Planning Unit
The Chief of the Joint Mission Planning Unit (JMPU) is based in Port-au-Prince and shall be responsible to the Chief of Staff (CoS) for coordinating joint mission planning between the Office of the SR, GSF military and police components, in coordination with UNSOH, BINUH and other relevant partners. The Chief JMPU will to this end manage a joint staff of civilian, military and police planners responsible for GSF strategic and operational planning, force generation, and lessons learned. In particular the Chief JMPU shall:
• Manage and coordinate the work of the Joint Mission Planning Unit (JMPU), including preparing, implementing and monitoring the unit’s work plan and managing JMPU staff comprised of an integrated team with a range of expertise (such as political affairs, civil affairs, human rights, military, police, and security). Management responsibilities will include the recruitment and selection of JMPU staff, and the development and promulgation of standard operating procedures for the work of the unit.
• Act as a senior advisor to GSF leadership on joint mission planning issues, including facilitating cross-component and inter-mission joint planning within the GSF and with UNSOH, other UN partners and external actors;
• Lead the strategic coordination of GSF transition from the MSS and subsequently lead development of the GSF strategic mission plan, operational plans and exit strategy, in consultation with GSF Force HQ Operations (J-3) and Plans (J-5) staff, based on the GSF mandate, mission concept (CONOPS), SGP strategic documents and budget submissions and SR’s strategic guidance;
• Facilitate mission level planning and implementation of force generation (military and police), assisting and enabling SGP members, and existing and potential troop and police contributing countries with assessing capabilities and deployment planning.
• In coordination with the CoS and Chief Political Affairs, support periodic mission reporting to the SGP and UN Security Council with specific reference to the mission plan objectives and metrics for measuring GSF progress towards achieving the declared end-state. Coordinate and support GSF civilian and uniformed components to conduct associated internal planning, assessment monitoring and data collection.
• In consultation with the CoS, Chief JOC and Force Commander, facilitate coordination of the development of quarterly joint operational plans, including in depth conflict analysis and identification of concrete operational priorities in line with mandated roles and responsibilities for the GSF;
• Lead quarterly briefings for the SR, Force Commander and GSF senior leadership on the status of mandate implementation, and lead development to this end of a joint monitoring and reporting system to track and assess operational progress based on clear indicators with data provided across all GSF components; and support through these quarterly assessments coherent partnerships with BINUH, UNSOH, The United Nations Country Team, the OAS and the Government of Haiti;
• Provide annual planning assumptions and related data as required to inform the GSF budget submission and review process; and contribute to monitoring GSF budget implementation, including staffing needs and workplace planning, and advise senior management on how to ensure resources are used to support effective implementation of the results-based budget, component plans, and to advance mission priorities for overall mandate implementation;
• Promote and facilitate organizational learning and knowledge-sharing within the GSF, integrating lessons learned, good practices and other operational knowledge into work processes, guidance and planning scenarios.
The Chief Joint Mission Planning Unit shall during GSF start-up and thereafter continue to be responsible for the following tasks:
- Produce the Joint Mission Planning Unit work plan for approval by the CoS.
- At the direction of the CoS, overseeing the recruitment of civilian members of the Unit.
- In line with the requirements of SCR 2793, and in support of the SR, ensure completion by the JMPU of a strategic mission plan with concrete timebound objectives, indicator-based metrics for measuring operational success, and benchmarks towards an end-state, in consultation with UNSOH, BINUH and the Government of Haiti, to be presented by the SR to the Security Council no later than 30 June 2026; and to include information on mission plan implementation in regular GSF reporting to the SGP and Security Council;
- Support operational coherence across the GSF by advising the Force Commander in the development and implementation of operational plans within the Force Headquarters and the uniformed components, as necessary.
- Support the CoS to facilitate the establishment and operation of joint field coordination structures, including a GSF senior leadership forum, providing policy guidance and technical assistance on joint strategic and operational issues as required.
- Assist the Chief Strategic Communications to develop the GSF Strategic Communications Synchronization plan. Subsequently assist with implementation across the GSF ensuring it is the authoritative tool for coordinating information effects across all GSF components.
- Provide advice to the SR, Force Commander and other GSF senior leaders on strategic and operational planning policy, procedures, and best practices. Provide recommendations on design of specific mechanisms, in line with best practice, to meet the needs of the GSF and partners.
- As directed by the CoS, design and facilitate the development of other strategies and plans required for implementation of the GSF's mandate.
- Establish and maintain a GSF risk management register.
- Assist to develop, implement and monitor the SGP plans to generate military and police forces for the GSF, assisting to ensure the proposed contributions meet operational requirements, consistent with the GSF Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and associated Force Requirements, and Statement of Unit Requirements.
- Provides advice to the Force Commander, CoS and Deputy CoS (DCoS) on the development of component-level plans and strategies, ensuring coherence with the SR's declared vision and the overall GSF strategic direction.
- In coordination with UNSOH and the SGP members, support overall resource management by coordinating the GSF civilian component budget submissions and associated performance reports. Prepare inputs as required for audits, budget monitoring and performance reporting as it pertains to the GSF civilian component. Advise and assist the Force Commander in these same matters for the GSF uniformed component, as appropriate.
- In consultation with, and in support of the UNSOH Liaison Officer, UNSOH, and SGP members, contribute to monitoring implementation of the GSF budget, including staffing needs and workplace planning. Advise senior management on how to ensure resources are used to support effective implementation of the budgeted GSF activities and to advance GSF priorities for overall mandate implementation.
- Coordinate GSF level engagement with the SGP members and the UN Headquarters to support technical assessment missions, strategic assessment missions and strategic reviews.
- Act as the strategy and planning focal point for all GSF transition planning (entry, expansion and/or drawdown and withdrawal). Facilitate linkages between GSF field-based structures and the SGP members and UN Headquarters.
- Develop and maintain a network of policy and best practices focal points within Haiti and within the GSF in cooperation with the Force Commander, and promote the active use of surveys of practice, after-action reviews, practice notes and lessons learned studies within the GSF.
- Ensure handover notes are produced by the Joint Mission Planning Unit members to ensure institutional knowledge is passed from outgoing to incoming staff.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.