Special Assistant/ Political 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.

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).

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office in UNMISS Malakal, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Monitor and analyze political developments at local level and advise the Head of Filed Office (HoFO) of impact on the work of the office in respective field location; • Keep track of political milestones and major events; • Management and coordinating day-to-day operations of the UNMISS Field Office including management and strategic support provided to the Coordinators in the UNMISS Team Sites in the respective area of operation; • Assisting with coordination of daily programmes, activities and events, overseeing and co-ordination of briefing notes and reports by the substantive sections; • Providing substantive and administrative support to consultative and other meetings, official visits, coordinating events, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing participants, preparing background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc.; • Organizing meetings between the UNMISS civilian and uniformed personnel, UN Funds Agencies and Programmes and implementing partners, taking notes, following-up on action points; • Coordinating, across disciplines and components at field level, with other team members to achieve consistency and synergy; • Contributing to building effective networks through Mission components with state authorities, international partners, civil society and the humanitarian community; • Facilitating and accompanying the Head of Field Office and other mission components as necessary in field trips and missions, and preparing short reports on the outcome of such missions; • Performing other related duties as required.

Results/Expected Outputs: • Professional support provided to the Head of Field Office including a well-functioning, arranged and maintained office; • Timely and accurate reports, which in the description of any event, incident or development, address to the extent possible the questions of ‘Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?’; • Capacity for operational coordination in South Sudan developed and built; • Professional reporting, writing and analytical skills; • Maintained and efficient database of all returns and numbers important for future operational planning and identification of specific patterns; • Efficient and timely operational responses to support field colleagues in dealing with conflict or violence related incidents; • Promoted national knowledge and capacity of national counterparts through the promotion of volunteerism; • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) 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 development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • 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 capacity development activities and transfer of skills to national personnel during the assignment; • 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

• 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.

advanced skills in English drafting and analytical report writing;

Experience in political affairs, conflict analysis or related area is required;

Experience in coordination and facilitation of political outreach, planning of high level of visits and reporting is required.

Previous experience working as a special assistant to a senior public official;

Experience in providing analytical advice on political developments and mandate implementation is required.

Skill in management of databases, and presentation software as well as other electronic media;

Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word etc.) and other IT applications and office technology equipment;

Have affinity with or interest in conflict management, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System;

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.