Job Summary:
Organization: UNMISS
Country: South Sudan
Field location: Aweil
Office: UNMISS in Aweil
Expected start date: 20 March 2025
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNMISS
Type: Onsite
Expected end date: 30 June 2025
Number of assignments: 2
Duty stations: Aweil, Rumbek OLS
Age: 18 – 80
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements: 3 years Relevant experience
Application Deadline: 11 March 2025
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
These two positions are located within the Gender Affairs Unit of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Gender Affairs Officers will be based in Aweil and Rumbek. Aweil and Rumbek are classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbents report directly to the Heads of Field Offices in Aweil and Rumbek.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Heads of Field Offices in Aweil and Rumbek and Chief, Gender Affairs Unit/Senior Gender Advisor, the UN Volunteers will undertake the following tasks:
- Coordinating and participating in the delivery of the “Gender and Peacekeeping” training courses to all newly arrived military and civilian personnel;
- In consultation with the Chief of Gender Affairs Unit, liaising with the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), community and other international partners for the coordination of capacity building activities targeting civil society, especially women’s groups;
- Participating in meetings of the Gender Working Group that comprises all Gender Focal Points of the UN Team in South Sudan;
- Liaising with other Units and Sections in UNMISS on any gender-related matters (Human Rights, Protection, Transition, and Reintegration Section (PTR) and Peace Building Political and UN Police (UNPOL);
- Assisting with the policy advisory role of the Office of Gender Affairs with regard to gender mainstreaming activities and policies in UNMISS;
- Actively participating in the unit-wise planning processes and applying the defined approach and methods in gender mainstreaming consistently within the context of the Field Office;
- Co-coordinating fact-finding, research or assessment necessary to plan activities and preparing training and programmatic tools;
- Liaising with the UNMISS Public Information Office on gender-related public information materials and projects;
- Consulting with the PTR Section and Public Information Office re-inputting and coordinating a Gender perspective in the PTR information campaign;
- Co-coordinating with the PTR Section to make sure that the needs of female ex-combatants and camp followers are taken into consideration in UNMISS policies;
- Keeping track of global, regional and national developments, including gender roles and providing assistance to the mapping of gender- related activities;
- Preparing weekly reports to the Head of Field Office, Chief, Gender Unit/Senior Gender Advisor and JOC and providing any other required information for the research and analytical products of the mission such as SG’s reports as requested by the Chief of Gender Affairs Unit: and
- Performing other related duties as required by the function.
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;
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
- Master degree or equivalent in Law, Political or Social Science, Gender Studies, International Studies, or other relevant fields.
- Competencies and values
- Communication
- Planning and organizing
- Professionalism
Skills and experience
- At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience with a Master’s degree, or four (4) years with a Bachelor’s degree, in gender affairs, human rights, training, humanitarian affairs, or emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation and development, or other related area, of which 1 to 2 years should preferably be in the field of humanitarian emergency efforts.
- Political analysis and problem-solving skills and experience in working with non-state actors and community groups; including youth and women and other marginalized groups required.
- Technological awareness: knowledge of Power platform (power automate, power apps, power BI) or similar data management tools.
- Strong analytical skills with ability to collect, organize, manage, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to details and accuracy. The ability to analyze, model and interpret data in support of decision-making, and convey information succinctly to management.
- Experience in research and high-level drafting including use of real data.
- Experience working in conflict situations on conflict management: prevention, mitigation, resolution is essential; proven drafting and analytical skills.
- Experience working in government, international organization, peace and conflict, NGO, research organization, civil society, or community development.
- Experience working in Eastern/Horn of Africa is desirable.
- Area(s) of expertise
- Community development, Crisis and emergency response, Development programmes
Driving license
Manual Transmission Required
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
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.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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