Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are in the Child Protection Unit of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Rumbek, Aweil, Kuajok, Yambio. The Associate Child Protection Officer reports to Child Protection Officer or head of unit/section. The incumbent will report to the Head of Field Office and the Chief of Child Protection Unit.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Associate Child Protection Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
– Responsible for the provision of secretarial and coordination support to the Joint Verification team to conduct verification missions across the country in military barracks and establishments to identify children to be released from the ranks of SSPDF, SPLA IO, and other armed groups.

– Organize and undertake field visits and/or joint assessment missions as directed and ensures up-to-date information sharing on substantive matters related to the rights of the child.

– Contribute to the gathering of accurate, timely, objective and reliable information on the six grave violations through participation in integrated field missions i.e, Long distance Patrols, Dynamic Air Patrols and Short Distance Patrols.

– As delegated by the supervisor, supports the mission in implementing the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) established pursuant to S/RES/1612 (2005) in coordination with the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting.

– Support the implementation of Action Plan for prevention of grave violations against children affected by armed conflict in South Sudan

– Liaises with national authorities, civil society, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and relevant child protection actors to coordinate mechanisms that ensure adequate responses to violations committed against children.

– Engage with armed forces and armed groups on information gathering, verification and reporting on the six grave violations/MRM issues and dissemination of Action Plan, command orders and directives for protection of children.

– Provide surge support to field offices to ensure efficient implementation of the child protection mandate including engagement with parties to the conflict Revitalized Peace Agreement and programme delivery.

– Support the delivery of child protection training sessions to partners, national and local government authorities and parties to Revitalized Peace Agreement.

– Performs other duties as required.

Results Expected: Supports the office in the implementation of the child protection mandate in the mission and to support the mainstreaming of child protection issues in the mission’s work in line with Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflict and as laid out in the DPKO-DFS Policy on Mainstreaming the protection, rights and well-being of children in UN Peacekeeping Operations, i.e., Aid in the identification of protection needs of children in the respective country.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. Ability to identify sources for data collection, analyze information and draft human rights reports. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Planning& 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) in sociology, political science, economics, other social science or related field. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

At least 2 years with a master’s degree of equivalent of four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national level in the human rights field, including the promotion and protection of the rights of the child in accordance with international standards or related field is required.

Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the positions advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

This post is located in Rumbek, Aweil, Kuajok and Yambio. Please note that anyone selected will be required to report for duty in that location on the agreed date and will also be expected to arrange their own accommodations. There is no UN provided accommodation. If the selected candidate is unable to report to the identified Duty Station, the contract will be considered void.

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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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

The 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 according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. 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 reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (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.