Program Officer-WPS

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.

The current UN Women South Sudan Strategic Note (SN) (2023-2025) aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework and is designed to enable conditions in which women and girls in South Sudan realize their rights and reach their full potential in a peaceful, inclusive, democratic and prosperous nation. Following UNSDCF Outcome 1, SN Outcome 1 captures foreseen results in four essential areas: continued gender-responsive implementation of the R-ARCSS, while ensuring that 35% affirmative action on women’s leadership and participation is realized in the extended transitional period’s roadmap; gender-responsive security sector reform (SSR) and the security sector’s modification according to related regional and international instruments on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment; gender-mainstreaming in the work of the Legislative Assembly, and gender-disaggregated data creation in a context where gender statistics remain scarce. Throughout these interventions, civil society actors, women’s groups and youth-led and -focused organizations, remain key stakeholders for strategic partnerships and implementation. SN Outcome 1 contributes to the amplification of women and girls’ voices across the South Sudanese society as political actors, leaders of the nation and security and peace providers while bringing their presence and visibility more centrally at focus in terms of gender data.

UN Women champions the Women, Peace and Security and Political Participation agenda in South Sudan. The country office’s long-standing work in the area builds on the support for South Sudanese women to be included in all peacebuilding efforts from grassroots to national levels. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the WPS team and as such support various ongoing programming initiatives as part of the portfolio.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Women, Peace and Security Team Lead or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

1. Technical support to the implementation of the WPS and Political Participation Program: Support the drafting of country strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to WPS and Political Participation in South Sudan. Support the drafting of program/project proposals and initiatives. Support the implementation of projects under the WPS and Political Participation program. Support the development of the WPS annual workplan, budget and indicators. Support the finalization of reports on activities, outputs and outcomes; as well as donor and UN Women reports. Build, manage, and expand relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the WPS program.

2. Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/program partners: Oversee implementation of projects by implementing partners, as necessary. Identify capacity building needs of partners on WPS and Political Participation, especially women’s organizations and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives. Support the Ministry of Gender and other relevant ministries to implement the 2nd Generation National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

3. Support resource mobilization efforts in the area of WPS and Political Participation: Develop and coordinate relationships with key partners in both public and private sector. Support the development and implementation of differentiated, donor fund-raising strategies, aligned and coordinated with country-level activities initiatives and outreach activities. Identify and seize opportunities to secure additional non-core resources.

4. Support advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts: Represent UN Women in meetings related to WPS and Political Participation as delegated. Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation to help raise awareness and stimulate action on women, peace and security and gender responsive initiatives to in the implementation of the transitional processes in South Sudan. Support the Program team to identify best practices and lessons learned to guide program improvement and strategy planning.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities;
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs As an active UN Women team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UN Women and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Timely and quality substantive inputs on program strategies and activities; o Timely and quality substantive inputs to workplans and budgets; o Timely and quality development of Concept Notes, proposals on WPS/P to potential donors o Actively positioning of gender, WPS/P within the UN System, development partners, government and CSOs. o Adherence to UN Women standards and rules; o Timely monitoring and tracking of program results and finances; o Relationship with partners and stakeholders; o Timely organization of events; o Quality of knowledge and advocacy products. The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); 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.

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Women 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 UN Women in daily activities and behaviours 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 behaviour; 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; Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment; Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

programming experience at the national and/or international level in Women, Peace and Security, Women’s Political Participation or the advancement of gender equality, or other relevant programs; experience with UN Women is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; 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; Proven experience in communication, knowledge management and audit management; Proven proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems; Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

South Sudan is a challenging duty station, classified as a non-family duty station. Currently, the security situation in Juba is relatively calm, however, crime rates and criminality remain high. There is a UN imposed curfew in from 7:00pm to 6:00am due to security and crime issues. There is basic infrastructure in Juba and the rest of the country. Daily flights take off and land in Juba International Airport. UNDP has residential compounds in which most UN Women staff are accommodated. There are also several hotels and private sector accommodations that are approved by the UN for accommodation. There are two main mobile telephone companies providing services and SIMs can be easily bought with credit vouchers. There are restaurants serving food from different regions of the world. Markets and shops are fairly well-stocked with food items, clothes and other household goods. There are also local markets for vegetables and other farm produce. The cost of living is generally high as most goods are imported. There are local banks dealing in both local and foreign currencies. Credit cards are mostly not accepted. Medical facilities are available at UNMISS and UNDP, with a Level I and Level II Medical Clinic operational in Juba. South Sudan has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons. Temperatures average between 25 degrees (low) C and 35 degrees C (high). Regular office wear is expected in the workplace (covering knees and shoulders).

South Sudan is a unique country, and the chosen candidate will be working in a challenging but enriching context, which 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 physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate US$ 1,651. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.