Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Child Protection Section of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba. Juba is classified in the “E” category and as a non-family duty station. The incumbent will report directly to the head of the state coordination and operations unit within UNMISS Child Protection Section. The focus of this post is to support the implementation of the child protection mandate of the mission and the global children and armed conflict mandate in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and as laid out in the DPKO Policy on Child Protection.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Child Protection Section and within the limits of delegated authority, the Child Protection Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Support the State Coordination and Operations team of the UNMISS Child Protection Section; • Support the effort to mainstream child protection concerns into all aspects of the activities, strategies, policies, and training programs of the peacekeeping operation and assists in the overall implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions (1261, 1314, 1379, 1460, 1539, 1612, 1882, 1998, 2068, 2143 and 2225) on children and armed conflict; • Work directly with other UN peace operation components, including UN police and military, Human Rights, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), Security Sector Reform (SSR), Rule of Law, Civil Affairs, Political Affairs, to integrate child-conscious approach in their works and strategies; • Work with UNICEF and/or other UN agencies as relevant, to ensure that the protection needs of children and adequate responses to violations committed against children are on the agendas of all relevant conflict resolution and peacebuilding entities, UN coordination mechanisms, international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the international donor community in the mission’s area of operations; • Research and collect reliable, accurate and timely data on and, where necessary, conduct investigations into the six grave violations identified by the UN Security Council and other violations committed against children; Establish or maintain a viable management and screening database of the information collected in the field; • Provide timely inputs to relevant periodic reports to DPKO or DPA (as relevant) and to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC), including reporting to the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict; • Ensure timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefing notes, talking points and any other communications to brief senior mission staff in compliance with the mission mandate; • Support the development of analysis on trends and patterns of grave violations against children to support response strategies; • Support the mission in implementing the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) under S/RES/1612 (2005) in coordination with the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting; • Provide training on child rights and child protection to military, police and civilian staff of the mission; • Liaise with national authorities, civil society, UN actors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the host government, and relevant coordination mechanisms in ensuring adequate responses to violations committed against children; • 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; • Support the Head of Field Coordination and Operations in providing guidance, administrative support and supervision to the staff of the team; • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of institutional mandates, organizational structures and policies within the UN, guidelines and methodologies relating to child protection including the legal framework for the protection of children, relevant Security Council resolutions and mandates related to children and armed conflict, the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism; Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity and ability to organize and conduct workshops on issues of child protection; knowledge of database and ability to thoroughly analyse and evaluate the data and critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of socio-economic issues to assess their impact on children and to provide concrete strategy recommendations to redress situations; Strong analytical skills and excellent skills in drafting a broad range of documents including speeches and reports. Ability to review and edit the work of others; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; ability to influence others to reach agreement; Demonstrated original and creative thinking; independent judgment and discretion in advising on and handling of major policy, project and other issues/problems; Ability to seek new and improved methods of work, to share best practices and to incorporate lessons learned; Capacity to maintain effective working relationships with other UN, NGO, state and/or government stakeholders; Understanding of conflict and post-conflict contexts, proven ability to work under pressure in austere, insecure environments while maintaining resilience, integrity, productivity and effectiveness 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 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, human rights, social sciences, information systems or a related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years progressively responsible experience in human rights, civil affairs, political affairs, international relations, international law, promotion and protection of the rights of the child, training, information management or a related area is required. Two years of work experience at the international level outside the applicant’s country of origin is desirable. 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 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.

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 to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are 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 offer, if selected. 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 ncrease women participation in its workforce

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.