Civil Affairs Officer
Manage civil affairs in conflict zones and support peace processes
Overview
Manage civil affairs in conflict zones and support peace processes
You have:
- Experience working in conflict situations on conflict management: prevention, mitigation, resolution is essential.
- Proven drafting and analytical skills required.
- Experience in research and high-level drafting including use of real data is required.
- Political analysis and problem-solving skills and experience in working with non-state actors and community groups including youth and women and other marginalized groups required.
- Technological awareness: knowledge of Power platform (power automate, power apps, power BI) or similar data management tools is required.
- Experience working in government, international organizations, peace and conflict, NGO, research organization, civil society, or community development is required.
- Experience working in Eastern/Horn of Africa is desirable.
Contract
This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.
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 TORIT. TORIT classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Senior Civil Affairs Officer/ Team Leader in the Field Office.
Under the direct supervision of Civil Affairs Team leader, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Maintain contact with local government authorities, political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society and business groups, as well as representatives of local and international organizations and provide briefing on the mandate and activities of UNMISS if so required. • Provide analysis on conflict management (prevention, mitigation, resolution) including related political, security, social and economic developments, youth and gender-related issues. • Identify conflict trends and opportunities resolution on area of responsibility (AOR), and in support of the mission’s overall protection of civilians’ mandate. • Provide support to local level peace processes. • Foster confidence-building dialogues, to enhance understanding and cooperation between parties in conflict. • Provide timely and factual daily, weekly and monthly reports on conflict management, protection of civilians and peace activities within the area of responsibility. • Conduct VIP briefings and facilitate visits. • Collaborate and coordinate mandate related activities with UN agencies, institutions and local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the State/ County. • Represent Civil Affairs Division (CAD) meetings with United Nations Agencies Funds and Programs, NGOs, local community groups, including youth groups and non-state actors. • Participate in assessment missions to outlying villages and localities and conduct Programmatic Activity Programs in communities across the County • Establish early warning / early response systems, through information gathering and building and maintaining local level relationships. • Implement CAD Workshops and peace activities, in collaboration with other UNMISS Sections or local partners. • Forge partnerships with local community leaders and organizations, to localize the implementation of the Reinitialized Peace Agreement and Roadmap. • Ensure all UNMISS mandatory trainings are successfully taken. • Undertake other assignments, as directed by the Team leader and/or the Director or OiC Civil Affairs Division.
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management
• Political analysis and problem-solving skills and experience in working with non-state actors and community groups; including youth and women and other marginalized groups required. • Technological awareness: knowledge of Power platform (power automate, power apps, power BI) or similar data management tools is required. • Strong analytical skills with ability to collect, organize, manage, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to details and accuracy. • The ability to analyze, models and interpret data in support of decision-making, and convey information succinctly to management. • Experience in research and high-level drafting including use of real data is required. • Experience working in conflict situations on conflict management: prevention, mitigation, resolution is essential; proven drafting and analytical skills is required. • Experience working in government, international organization, peace and conflict, NGO, research organization, civil society, or community development is required. • Experience working in Eastern/Horn of Africa is desirable
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. On arrival in Juba accommodation will be on a share basis. Ablutions will also be shared. 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.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a difficult situation you faced while working in a conflict environment? | This question assesses your experience and capacity to handle stress in challenging environments. | Provide a clear example of a situation where you effectively managed conflict and resolved issues. |
| How do you prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities in a high-pressure environment? | The interviewer wants to understand your organizational skills during demanding times. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you had to analyze data to make a decision. How did you present your findings? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to engage with local communities and build trust? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide an example of how you contributed to a peace process or conflict resolution initiative? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |