Civil Affairs Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

Under Resolution 2677 (2023), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2024. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance as well as free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes: (a) Protection of civilians (b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance (c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process (d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers. Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.

Context

This position is located within the Civil Affairs Division of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Civil Affairs Officer will be based in Juba and will be part of the Reporting and Information Management Team. Juba is classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Civil Affairs Officer, Team Leader of Reporting and Information Management, in Juba, Mission HQ.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Civil Affairs Team leader, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Maintain contact with local government authorities, political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society, and business groups, as well as representatives of local and international organizations and provide briefing on the mandate and activities of UNMISS if so required. • Continuously monitor and review developments in South Sudan to capture socio- political and humanitarian issues and analyses their impacts on the conflict and political dynamics to provide understanding of the operational environment and making recommendations for effective decision making and proactive intervention by the senior UN Mission Leadership. • Provide analysis on conflict management (prevention, mitigation, resolution) including related political, security, social and economic developments, youth, and gender-related issues • Identify conflict trends and opportunities for resolution and in support of the mission’s overall protection of civilians’ mandate. • Backstop and provide support to local level peace processes undertaken by Civil Affairs field based teams. • Foster confidence-building dialogues, to enhance understanding and cooperation between parties in conflict. • Develop and maintain effective partnership with other UN Mission Components and Sections, UNCT, other international actors and other relevant actors to strengthen coordination and implementation of conflict management strategies including mediation, dialogue and rapprochement activities in support of the peace process. • Provide timely and factual daily and weekly situation, note-to-files and thematic reports on conflict management, protection of civilians, subnational political and peace activities as appropriate. Prepare briefing packages and deliver briefings and facilitate visits. • Contribute to key documents for UN Mission leadership, producing high-level products such as, inputs to the Secretary General’s periodic report, induction and in-mission skill training material, and fully supporting information management and reporting roles within Civil Affairs Division. • Collaborate and coordinate mandate related activities with UN agencies, government institutions, and local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the State/County. • Represent Civil Affairs Division (CAD) meetings with other UNMISS components, United Nations Agencies Funds and Programs, NGOs, local community groups, including youth groups and non-state actors. • Support early warning/early response systems, through information gathering and building and maintaining local level relationships. • Support implementation of CAD-led peacebuilding activities in collaboration with other UNMISS Sections and local and international partners. • Ensure all UNMISS mandatory trainings are successfully taken in support of reporting and information management. • Assist in planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and reporting on programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. • Undertake other assignments, as directed by the Team leader and/or the Director of Civil Affairs Division.