The position is located within the Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section (RoLSIS) of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The incumbent will be based in Juba and report to the Chief of Service, Rule of Law or a delegated Senior Rule of Law Officer.

Within delegated authority, the Associate Rule of Law Officer will be responsible for the following: • Supports the implementation of rule of law strategies and interventions in line with UNMISS mandate of protection of civilians and enhancing accountability for serious crimes, including SGBV / CRSV in South Sudan. • Researches and compiles legal materials on South Sudanese law and practice for use in the preparation of team’s legal opinions and strategic advice for presentations to internal and external stakeholders. • Facilitates and coordinates meetings and other engagements with senior national officials and other external partners, ensuring timely confirmation of meetings, preparation of draft agenda and compilation of relevant background materials; drafting of accurate notes to file on all agreed-upon action points; and maintains trust and relationship with national officials. • Under supervision, may review, summarize and index significant national laws, rulings, recommendations, etc. to ensure consistency and accuracy under South Sudanese law and practice. • Provides general office support services; drafts, edits, proofreads and finalizes for signature and/or process a variety of correspondence and other communications; maintains accurate electronic and paper files/records. • Maintains updated library (electronic and paper) of all South Sudanese laws and regulations approved by Parliament and signed by the President, as well as a database of all pending legislation. • Performs other ad hoc duties as assigned.

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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations. 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. 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.

Education

Advance university (master’s degree or equivalent) degree in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or related field is required. A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least two (2) years with a master’s degree or equivalent or four (4) years with a LLB or equivalent, of progressively responsible, professional experience in legal work is required. Practical experience in paralegal work with an emphasis on South Sudanese criminal or civil or administrative procedures is required Experience in researching and analyzing legal issues under South Sudanese laws and practice is required. Demonstrated familiarity with South Sudan national justice system and institutions (police, prosecution, courts, and corrections) is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required; Knowledge of Arabic and other local languages spoken in South Sudan is desirable.

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. Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce. This post is located in Juba. 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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.