Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Civil Affairs Division of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Civil Affairs Officer will be based in Bentiu, Unity State. Bentiu is classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Director of Civil Affairs Division through Senior Civil Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Civil Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Core profile • Provides information and analysis for the Mission and other actors where applicable, on political, social and economic issues affecting conflict dynamics at the local and regional level, including analysis on how these relate to the national level and vice versa. Ensures that the concerns and perceptions of the local population are effectively communicated to the Mission, as well as other actors where appropriate in view of inclusion in the peace agenda. • Contributes to a shared understanding of the Mission’s environment, mandate and operations amongst Mission actors at the local level, in particular uniformed components, to support consistency and coherence of approach. Fosters effective working relations with United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and other partners. • Contributes to the formulation of recommendations concerning Mission actions and approaches required at the local level in terms of social cohesion, reconciliation, conflict prevention and mitigation and takes the lead in mobilizing community engagement in peacebuilding mechanisms designed to promote these issues. Assists in mobilizing responses from other actors where appropriate. • Implements programmatic funded projects on conflict management, reconciliation and social cohesion to promote peaceful coexistence among communities at the local level, in line with DPKO/DFS Policy Directive and mission specific priorities. • Supervises, monitors, and encourages the work of staff under his/her responsibility in undertaking the full range of their duties. In this context coordinates and monitors the work of staff assigned to him/her, including in building their capacity for adequate analysis and reporting on civil affairs program priorities especially conflict prevention, mitigation, resolution and related needs assessment targeting vulnerable women and youths in volatile zones. • Identifies and researches good practices and lessons learned in Civil Affairs work, the development of mapping tools and shares these with colleagues, including through active participation in the online Civil Affairs Network. • Contributes to overall mission monitoring and planning as required. Conflict Management • Supports dialogue between groups in conflict in the area of responsibility by convening structured meetings and similar activities. • Promotes and protects the interest of excluded and/or threatened groups through advocacy in full respect of humanitarian and international law. • Supports civil society groups and/or institutions at the local level that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation. • Assists the civil society groups and institutions where appropriate, in becoming effective implementing partners for programmatic funded and other peacebuilding projects. Support to State Institutions • Assists local institutions to assess capacity building and support needs especially in conflict management and local level mediation, working with partners including the UNCT and in particular UNDP. Helps to design a coordinated response to these needs from relevant actors. • Supports events such as public fora or town-hall meetings to foster development of political space at the local level. Supports civic education programmes at the local level on a range of issues, including policy issues, and good governance principles, in coordination with local authorities and/or civil society actors. • Contributes to the development and ensures distribution of high-quality mission-specific induction materials. Assists with the design, implementation and evaluation of tailored in-mission skills training for Civil Affairs components in accordance with global Civil Affairs skills training methodologies. • Performs other related work as required Programme Management • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic and administrative tasks as necessary. Implements the Civil Affairs work plan for that area, as well as the work of other components as relevant, ensuring consistency of approach and efficiency of output. • Implement projects from Programmatic Funding budget with Mission priorities and the DPKO/DFS policy. This Includes, inter alia: ensuring the effective and timely running of the project design, approval and implementation process, the keeping of accurate records, assistance with determining mission specific priorities, assessment of impact of the overall programme, and drafting of programmatic funded project submissions. • Advises on and effectively communicates methodologies for identifying the concerns and perceptions of the local population to the Mission, as well as other actors where appropriate. Prepares regular & special reports, including key reports such as input to the Secretary General’s report, etc. Also compiled briefing packages, talking point and other key products. • Serves as focal point in the field office for researching, identifying and sharing good practices and lessons learned.

Competencies

.Professionalism: Knowledge of political, social and economic environment and their impact on a mission mandate implementation. Knowledge of operational aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral aid programmes. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, and recommend solutions. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics or related area. A first-level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Civil Affairs-related work with UN Peacekeeping Operations, UN funds or programmes, National or International NGOs, or community-based organizations, research institutions or related field is required. At least eighteen months experience working in conflict management, facilitation, mediation or negotiation skills; experience in facilitating structured dialogue events between different parties, and reconciliation activities and processes is required. At least eighteen months experience working in programme/project management with international governmental or non-governmental organizations, including relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects, budgeting and financial reporting is required. Previous experience in post-conflict setting in Sub Saharan Africa is desirable

Languages

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

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.