Civil Affairs Officer (Recruit from Roster)

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Special Notice

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered for this job opening. Roster applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are qualified, interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the position, if selected.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Extension of the appointment is subject to mandate extension and/or the availability of the funds.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Juba. Juba duty station is classified as an ‘E’ hardship and a non-family duty station. The Civil Affairs Officer will report to the Director of Civil Affairs or to the Senior Civil Affairs Officer or to a designate.

Mandate
On 9 July 2011 South Sudan became the newest country in the world. The birth of the Republic of South Sudan is the culmination of a six-year peace process which began with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005.
In adopting resolution 1996 (2011) on 8 July 2011, the Security Council determined that the situation faced by South Sudan continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region and established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) to consolidate peace and security and to help establish conditions for development.
Following the crisis which broke out in South Sudan in December 2013, the Security Council, by its resolution 2155 (2014) of 27 May 2014, reinforced UNMISS and reprioritized its mandate towards the protection of civilians, human rights monitoring, and support for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
For more information on the mission's mandate, please visit:
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmiss/

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the P3 Civil Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides information and analysis through written reports and briefs for the Mission and other actors where applicable, on political, social and economic issues affecting conflict dynamics at the local and regional level, including analysis on how these relate to the national level and vice versa. Ensures that the concerns and perceptions of the local population are effectively communicated to the Mission, as well as other actors where appropriate.
• Represents the mission at the local level as required.
• Contributes to a shared understanding of the Mission environment, mandate and operations amongst Mission actors at the local level, in particular uniformed components, to support consistency and coherence of approach. Fosters effective working relations with United Nations Country Team (UNCT).
• Contributes to the formulation of recommendations concerning Mission actions and approaches required at the local level, assists in mobilising a response from other actors where appropriate.
• Leads management of Specialized Expenditure/ Programmatic Funding projects intended for conflict management, reconciliation and peacebuilding and promotion of social cohesion purposes at the local level, in line with DPKO/DFS Policy Directive and mission specific priorities.
• Leads RBB budget preparation for the Civil Affairs Division, monitoring implementation of RBB outputs, and drafting of RBB performance reports.
• Supervises, monitors and encourages the work of officers under his/her responsibility in undertaking the full range of their duties.
• Plans and manages internal and external training of civil affairs staff.
• Identifies and researches good practice and lessons learned in Civil Affairs work and shares these with colleagues, including through active participation in the online Civil Affairs Network.
• Contributes to overall mission monitoring and planning as required.
• Performs other duties as required, in line with the DPKO/DFS Policy Directive on Civil Affairs.

Conflict Management:
• Supports dialogue between groups in conflict in the area of responsibility by convening structured meetings and similar activities.
• Promotes and protects the interest of excluded and/or threatened groups through advocacy in full respect of humanitarian and international law.
• Supports civil society groups and/or institutions at the local level that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation. Assists them, including, where appropriate, in becoming effective implementing partners for CAD specialized expenditures/ Programmatic Funding projects.

Support to State Institutions:
• Assists in the design and implementation of appropriate and practical Civil Affairs support to local authorities, including mentoring and support to policy and decision-making processes where appropriate.
• Supports dialogue and cooperation between authorities and relevant interest groups with the aim of creating political space and accountability, and provides support to the development of structures of accountability and transparency.
• Supports events such as public fora or town-hall meetings to foster development of political space at the local level. Supports civic education programmes at the local level on a range of issues, including policy issues, and good governance principles, in coordination with local authorities and/or civil society actors.

Programme Management:
• Leads management of Specialized Expenditure/ Programmatic Funding projects in accordance with Mission priorities and the DPKO/DFS policy. Includes, inter alia: acting as Secretariat to a decision-making body on Specialized Expenditure/ Programmatic Funding projects,, ensuring the effective and timely running of the project design, approval, implementation and monitoring, the keeping of accurate records, assistance with determining mission specific priorities, assessment of impact of the overall programme, and drafting of Specialized Expenditure/ Programmatic Funding submission for the Mission budget.
• Contributes to the development and ensures distribution of high-quality mission-specific induction materials. Assists with the design, implementation and evaluation of tailored in-mission skills training for Civil Affairs components in accordance with global Civil Affairs skills training methodologies.
• Serves as focal point on gender for the Civil Affairs component, identifying and communicating ways to ensure that a gender perspective is taken into account in all aspects of Civil Affairs work.
• Serves as focal point for researching, identifying and sharing good practices and lessons learned with the Civil Affairs component and the global Civil Affairs community.

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; acts without consideration of personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority; stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.

Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats men and women equally; shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses; does not discriminate against any individual or group.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in Civil Affairs-related work with UN Peacekeeping Operations, UN funds or programmes, National or International NGOs, or community based organizations, research institutions, etc. Of these five years, a minimum of eighteen months each should be in the following specialised areas:
- Conflict Management and Reconciliation: A minimum of eighteen months of experience in a position requiring conflict management, facilitation, mediation or negotiation skills; experience in facilitating structured dialogue events between different parties, and reconciliation activities and processes.
- Programme Management: A minimum of eighteen months of experience in programme/project management working with international governmental or non-governmental organizations, including relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects, budgeting and financial reporting.

Previous experience in post-conflict setting in Sub Saharan Africa is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.