Q&A FOR UN KNOWLEDGE FOR ORAL INTERVIEW

What are the three levels of decision-making in UN peacekeeping?

• The three levels of decision-making in UN peacekeeping are: 1. Strategic, 2. Operational, 3. Tactical.

• The three levels of decision-making in UN peacekeeping are: 1. Political, 2. Administrative, 3. Technical.

• The three levels of decision-making in UN peacekeeping are: 1. Diplomatic, 2. Logistical, 3. Supervisory.

• The three levels of decision-making in UN peacekeeping are: 1. Financial, 2. Humanitarian, 3. Legal.

Name three Secretariat Departments which are involved in UN Peacekeeping.

• The three Secretariat Departments involved in UN Peacekeeping are: Department of Peace Operations (DPO), Department of Operational Support (DOS), and Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (DPPA).

• The three Secretariat Departments involved in UN Peacekeeping are: Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Department of Global Communications (DGC), and Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC).

• The three Secretariat Departments involved in UN Peacekeeping are: Department of Public Information (DPI), Department of Safety and Security (DSS), and Department of Legal Affairs (DLA).

• The three Secretariat Departments involved in UN Peacekeeping are: Department of Human Resources (DHR), Department of Social Development (DSD), and Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).

Explain the difference between peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

• Peacebuilding is the process of creating the necessary conditions for lasting peace by addressing the root causes of conflict. Peacekeeping is the technique used to preserve peace after fighting has ended and to assist in implementing peace agreements.

• Peacekeeping is about economic development, while peacebuilding is about military intervention.

• Peacebuilding focuses on short-term ceasefires, while peacekeeping focuses on long-term social reforms.

• Peacekeeping and peacebuilding are both military strategies used to defeat enemies in war.

Match the following core principles of UN peacekeeping with their descriptions.

• Ignoring local perspectives

• Core principles of UN peacekeeping: 1. Use of force in all situations 2. No need for consent from parties 3. Biased implementation of mandates. Other success factors: 1. Ignoring local perspectives 2. Lack of legitimacy 3. Disregard for international law.

• Disregard for credibility

• Three core principles of UN peacekeeping: 1. Consent: all UN peacekeeping operations deploy with consent of the main parties to a conflict 2. Impartiality: the mandates are implemented with no favour or prejudice to any parties to the conflict 3. Non use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate. Other success factors for peacekeeping: 1. Legitimacy: behaviour of highest standards; UN peacekeeping operation is based on the UN Charter and international law and popularly accepted by MSs 2. Credibility: implement mandate, manage expectations; affected by how capable and effective the mission is at managing and meeting the expectations of the international and local communities 3. Promotion of national and local ownership: including local and national perspectives on needs and best solutions; nurturing national capacity to re-emerge quickly from conflict, to lead critical political and development processes.

• Legitimacy: behaviour of highest standards; UN peacekeeping operation is based on the UN Charter and international law and popularly accepted by MSs

• Core principles of UN peacekeeping: 1. Economic sanctions 2. Military occupation 3. Political interference. Other success factors: 1. Suppression of national ownership 2. Unilateral decision-making 3. Lack of transparency.

• Suppression of national ownership

• Core principles of UN peacekeeping: 1. Unilateral intervention 2. Favoritism towards certain parties 3. Use of force as a primary tool. Other success factors: 1. Disregard for credibility 2. Exclusion of local actors 3. Ignoring the UN Charter.

Match the following international laws with their corresponding descriptions.

• Governs diplomatic relations between countries

• 4. Treaty of Versailles

• Regulates peacekeeping activities and conduct

• 1. UN Charter

• Establishes standards for humanitarian treatment in war

• 2. Geneva Convention

• Ended World War I and redrew national boundaries

• 3. Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

UN Security Council - (a)  

Operational framework - (b)  

• Core element
• gives the mandate
• is the detailed plan
• Scope

Name the 6 main positions of authority in UN peacekeeping operations.

​ (a)   ​ (b)   ​​ (c)   (d)   (e)  

• SRSG/HOM
• DSRSG/DHOM
• HOPC/HOMC
• DMS/CMS
• COS
• ROE
• DUF
• ISF
• RBB
• CONOPS

How many mission components working together are there to achieve the UN peacekeeping mandate? Why is working together among components essential to achieve the mandate?

• There are three: Civilian, military and police components. Working together is essential for implementing the HOM’s political strategy to achieve the mandate because all components need to contribute. Each component influences the tasks of the other components, with all components relying on each other. UN peacekeeping operations have complex mandates and operate in difficult environments.

• There are two: Military and police components. Working together is not essential as each component operates independently to achieve the mandate.

• There are four: Civilian, military, police, and logistics components. Working together is only necessary for logistical support, not for achieving the mandate.

• There is only one: The military component. Working together is not required as the military handles all aspects of the mandate.

Match the following core functions of the Police Component in UN peacekeeping with their corresponding categories of police personnel.

• Core functions of UNPOL: 1. Operational support/Interim policing and other law enforcement 2. Capacity building and development/Support for reform, restructuring and rebuilding of host state police.

• Two core functions of UNPOL: 1. Operational support/Interim policing and other law enforcement 2. Capacity building and development/Support for reform, restructuring and rebuilding of host state police. UNPOL personnel includes 3 main categories: 1. IPOs: police or other law enforcement personnel assigned to serve with the UN on secondment by governments of MSs at the request of the SG 2. SPTs: a group of experts in a particular police area of expertise assigned to serve with the UN on secondment by one or more MSs at the request of the SG 3. FPUs: stand-alone unit of police officers deployed from the same country, about 140 in average, to ensure safety and security of UN personnel and missions.

• Core functions of UNPOL: 1. Border control and customs enforcement 2. Maritime security operations.

• Core functions of UNPOL: 1. Border control and customs enforcement 2. Maritime security operations. UNPOL personnel includes 3 main categories: 1. Naval officers 2. Air force pilots 3. Intelligence analysts.

• Core functions of UNPOL: 1. Peace negotiations and treaty drafting 2. Humanitarian aid distribution.

• Core functions of UNPOL: 1. Peace negotiations and treaty drafting 2. Humanitarian aid distribution. UNPOL personnel includes 3 main categories: 1. Civilian volunteers 2. Military observers 3. Legal advisors.

• Core functions of UNPOL: 1. Environmental protection 2. Economic development planning.

• Core functions of UNPOL: 1. Environmental protection 2. Economic development planning. UNPOL personnel includes 3 main categories: 1. Environmental scientists 2. Economists 3. Social workers.

What are mission partners that support peacekeeping mission efforts?

• 1. National partners: state actors and non-state actors 2. UN partners: UN Country Team 3. External partners: NGOs, ICRC, inter-governmental organizations

• 1. Only military forces from contributing countries 2. Local police forces 3. Private security companies

• 1. International media organizations 2. Commercial corporations 3. Local business owners

• 1. Academic institutions 2. Sports organizations 3. Entertainment industry groups