Judicial 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.

Political Mission and the JJCS implements the Security Council political and security mandate through a rule of law lens. Also, through the UN Joint Justice and Joint Corrections Programmes, JJCS supports the building of institutional capacity and the expanded delivery of justice services through technical advice on the justice and corrections architecture, capacity building activities for justice and Custodial Corps staff, support to mobile courts and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, provision of legal aid and the conduct of awareness raising activities.

A history of authoritarian rule and conflict has left Somalia in a parlous state, but over the last two decades significant progress has been made towards state-building. The absence of a political agreement around how power and resources should be delineated between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMSs) is one of the main obstacles to an agreement on core issues such as the constitutional review process (CRP), and the development of a justice and corrections model. UNSOM’s role, since its establishment in 2013, has been to provide policy advice on peace-building and state-building including on: rule of law reform, development of a federal system and the revised constitution. These activities have progressed partly through the medium of joint programmes with UNDP and other Agencies Funds and Programmes (AFPs). All UN rule of law support is framed by UNSOM’s mandate, successive Somalia development plans, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCF) 2021-2025. This post is based in Nairobi although regular travel to Mogadishu will be required.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Joint Justice and Corrections Section or her delegate, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Facilitate the implementation of UNSOM’s rule of law mandate in the designated area of responsibility (AOR); • Perform or assist in research and analysis; • Support data gathering and reporting for daily situation reports, Monitoring and Evaluation, and other reports as required. • Contribute to the implementation of the Joint Justice and Joint Corrections Programmes through the Global Focal Point Arrangement for Rule of Law; • Assist in the day-to-day coordination of key activities with other mission components, e.g., police, corrections, human rights, political affairs, gender, child protection, SSR, DDR, etc.,and other United Nations, external assistance providers and national authorities; • Establish and maintain contacts with government representatives, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners operating in the AOR; • Contribute to coordination mechanism including the Global Focal Point arrangement for police, justice and corrections and Rule of Law CAS Strand 2C Working Group; • Contribute to and/or draft various reports, communications, briefing notes, statements or other products; • Represent the UNSOM Joint Justice and Corrections Section at working level meetings, as relevant; When working with (including supervising) national staff or(non-)governmental counterparts, • Set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training; and • Perform other related duties as required.

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Planning and Organizing, Working in Teams

Experience in a law-related field. Experience in preparing and writing reports; excellent written and spoken English; good planning and organizational skills are all core skills in this role. Experience in M&E or research highly desirable. Experience working overseas, or in hardship environments is highly desirable.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Ken-ya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO). Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most essential goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking, and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many upcountry destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly because it serves as the headquarters for both the UN-HABITAT and UNEP. The socioeconomic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of the assignment are modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location are a highland cool and warm tropical climate. https://www.unv.org/