Political Affairs 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.

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)

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Political Affairs Officer, the UNV will perform the following tasks:

Analysis and Advice Identify, analyze and monitor political developments, trends and emerging issues in South Sudan according to the assigned portfolio and/or applicable mandate Research constitutional and legislative matters; Provide opinions, briefings and/or advice on a political range of issues pertaining to the constitutional review process and related legislative developments.

    Political outreach and coordination

Develop and maintain constructive working relations and liaison at the appropriate level with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, Government representatives, civil society actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners to ensure effective coordination and information gathering/sharing. Act as a liaison/contact point in the Division for representatives of political parties and other local stakeholders, including officials of the Transitional Government of National Unity and Transitional National Legislative Assembly. Support preparations for official meetings, events and visits, including through the provision of Secretariat services and by drafting talking points and speeches for senior management Participate in fact-finding and other missions. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate.

Reporting and Information Management • Monitor, evaluate and report on political, constitutional, and legislative developments. • Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, talking points. • Prepare contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio • Develops and maintains relations with government officials at the working levels and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. • Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

• 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.

political affairs, international relations, law, or related aspects of public policy, or public administration in an international organization, government institution, or national civil society organization. Good knowledge of constitutional law and related processes is required; Knowledge of the South Sudan legal system is required. Experience in preparing summary and analytical reports 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. 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.