Job Title: Civil Affairs Officer
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Host entity: UNMISS
Assignment country: South Sudan
Expected start date: 15/10/2022
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Type: Onsite
Duration: 9 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Torit
See also:
United Nations Career Support
What Does the United Nations Look for?
Mission and objectives
Under Resolution 2625 (2022), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2023. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance and free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes: (a) Protection of civilians (b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance (c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process (d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law: The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers. Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.
Context
UNMISS was established in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); subsequently, UNMISS mandate has been renewed through resolutions 2057 (2012), 2109 (2013), 2155 (2014), 2187 (2014), 2223 (2015), 2241 (Dec. 2015), 2304 (2016) and 2327 (2016), 2392 (Dec. 2017), 2406 (Mar. 2018), 2459 (Mar. 2019), 2514 (Mar. 2020), 2567 (Mar. 2021), 2625 (Mar. 2022).
Task description
Reporting to the Civil Affairs Team Leader at the field office level, the incumbent’s responsibilities will be: • Maintaining contact with local government authorities, political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society groups and business people, as well as with representatives of local and international organizations and briefing them on the mandate and activities of UNMISS if so required; • Providing analysis on conflict management (prevention, mitigation, resolution) including related political, security, social and economic developments, youth and gender-related issues or any other significant developments to identify trends within the area of responsibility (AOR), and in support of the mission’s overall protection of civilians’ mandate; • Provide support to local level peace processes; • Fostering confidence-building, dialogue, understanding and cooperation between parties and assisting local authorities with conflict management; • Providing accurate, timely and factual daily, weekly and monthly reports on conflict management, protection of civilians and peace process activities within the area of responsibility; • Assisting with conducting VIP briefings and visits; • Collaborating and coordinating relevant activities with other UN agencies and other bodies and institutions, including local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating at the state/county at all levels; • Participating in meetings on behalf of the Civil Affairs Division (CAD) with other United Nations Agencies Funds or Programmes, NGOs and other partners, both local and international; • Undertaking assessment missions to outlying villages and localities to build capacity in the area of conflict management and civic education, gathering information, establishing and maintaining local level relationships; • Supporting the organization of workshops either within CAD or in collaboration with others; • When working with (including supervising) national personnel, governmental or non-governmental counterparts, setting aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training; • Undertaking any other assignment, as may be directed by the Team leader and/or the Director/Deputy Head of the Civil Affairs Division. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote capacity development activities and transfer of skills to national personnel during the assignment; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in coordination and liaison with partners and stakeholders Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word etc.)
Area(s) of expertise
Community development
Driving license
Manual Transmission Required
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in political science, conflict related studies, political-economy and/or any relevant social science discipline.
Competencies and values
• Integrity and professionalism • Accountability • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Communication • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation may be austere with the possibility of water shortages and power blackouts. As the accommodation situation improves single unit accommodation, with an attached ablution, should become available in all locations. Hard wall accommodation is available in Juba. All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non – family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. A number of locations in South Sudan are prone to conflict. Primary health care services (preventive and curative) are provided in 11 United Nations Owned Equipment (UNOE) Level-I clinics, 21 Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) Level-I clinics, 4 COE Level-II medical facilities within the mission area and the establishment of contractual agreements for Level-III and Level-IIII care outside the mission area. The 4 Level-II facilities available in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Wau, run by the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC), take referrals from the Level-I clinics and provide hospital-based care. The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas, which should normally span from around April to October. Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions is essential.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
See also:
What Does the United Nations Look for?
