Civil Affairs Officer

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 UNV Officer will be based in Juba and will be part of the Reporting and Information Management Team. Juba is classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Civil Affairs Officer, Team Leader of Reporting and Information Management, in Juba, Mission HQ.

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. • Continuously monitor and review developments in South Sudan to capture socio- political and humanitarian issues and their impacts on the conflict and political dynamics to provide understanding of the operational environment and making recommendations for effective decision making and proactive intervention by the senior UN Mission Leadership. • 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 for resolution and in support of the mission’s overall protection of civilians’ mandate. • Backstop and provide support to local level peace processes undertaken by Civil Affairs field based teams. • Foster confidence-building dialogues, to enhance understanding and cooperation between parties in conflict. • Develop and maintain effective partnership with other UN Mission Components and Sections, UNCT, other international actors and other relevant actors to strengthen coordination and implementation of conflict management strategies including mediation, dialogue and rapprochement activities in support of the peace process • Provide timely and factual daily, weekly, note-to-files and thematic reports on conflict management, protection of civilians, subnational political and peace activities as appropriate. Prepare briefing packages and deliver briefings and facilitate visits. • Contribute to key documents for UN Mission leadership, producing high-level products such as, inputs to the Secretary General’s periodic report, induction and in-mission skill training material, and fully supporting information management and reporting roles within Civil Affairs Division. • 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 other UNMISS components, United Nations Agencies Funds and Programs, NGOs, local community groups, including youth groups and non-state actors. • Support early warning/early response systems, through information gathering and building and maintaining local level relationships. • Support implementation of CAD-led peacebuilding activities in collaboration with other UNMISS Sections and local and international partners. • Forge partnerships with national organizations, to localize the implementation of the Reinitialized Peace Agreement and Roadmap. • Ensure all UNMISS mandatory trainings are successfully taken. • Assist in planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and reporting on programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. • Undertake other assignments, as directed by the Team leader and/or the Director of 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.

Other civil society or community development experience mandatory.

Experience in facilitating public fora, dialogue, workshop facilitation etc., with at least at least two years of relevant experience in coordination and liaison with partners and stakeholders.

Experience working in conflict situations on conflict management: prevention, mitigation, resolution is essential.

Proven drafting and analytical skills is required.

Experience working in international organization, peace and conflict, NGO, research organization, civil society, or community development is required.

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.