Liaison Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) supports the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in her efforts to improve the impact, efficiency, and effectiveness of the UN’s joint operational activities for development in South Sudan, and to strategically position the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in support of national priorities, development strategies, and plans. The UNRCO in South Sudan provides inter-agency coordination support to the UN Country Team (UNCT) and its various sub-teams (Program Management Team - PMT, Operations Management Team (OMT), UN Communications Group – UNCG and the PSEA task force). The support includes strategic planning, program and operations management, policy guidance, data management and results.

The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator supports the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team to ensure strategic, coherent, and efficient functioning of the UN Development System in South Sudan. The position is located within the UN Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Juba, South Sudan and under the overall supervision of Head RCO / Strategic Planner.

• Supports Head of RCO in the coordination of inputs for reports and prepares written outputs as required, including review of policy documents and analytical reports, background briefings, talking points, correspondences, and logistics arrangements on RCO consultation process.

• Provides substantive support to organize consultations, meetings, and conferences, including annual UNCT retreat. Performs other related duties as required.

• Results/expected outputs.

• As an active integrated RCO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including Works with minimal amount of supervision; independently provides accurate reports and/or records in the areas of work programming.

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

• Functional location specific inter-agency community-based mechanisms

• Increased knowledge on UN’s joint operational activities in South Sudan.

• Increased awareness about available reporting mechanisms.

• Active contribution to mainstreaming communication and visibility in the work of the UNRCO.

• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting.

• Professionalism: Demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to RCO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to RCO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially, responsive and client oriented.

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and RCO in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority.

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues.

• 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.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

coordination and liaison is required.

• Previous experience in working in the UN or other international development organization is desirable.

• Full proficiency in various MS Office applications especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint required. Ability to quickly learn new information management systems/use of database, is desirable.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills: culturally and socially sensitive and inclusivity is required.

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment.

• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.

The September 2018 Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in the Republic South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provides for the formation of Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) as a basis for governing the country during the transitional period 2020-2022 followed by elections in 2023. Though there has been significant reduction in level of conflict and violence across the country, South Sudan is still in Security Phase III level, with UN imposed curfew from 7:00pm to 5:00am. Banking facilities are available however, use of credit and debit cards is limited.

There are three mobile telephone companies namely, Zain, Dengitel and MTN providing services and sim cards are obtained with cash after registration by the service provider. JEDCO Electricity is currently lighting Juba however, the city is still mostly powered by individual generators and Solar systems

Running water is dependent on water tankers that deliver water to households and access to better health facilities is still a challenge. UN volunteers can access medical services in the UN Agency clinic while other medical services can be obtained at the UNMISS Level 2 hospital.

South Sudan is a unique country with a unique humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding context. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving potential physical hardship, are essential. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly. https://www.unv.org/