Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Protection Transition and Reintegration Section of the United Nations Mission South Sudan (UNMISS), Malakal. The Protection Transition and Reintegration Section is responsible for supporting protection of civilians, early recovery, return and reintegration initiatives in close coordination with UNMISS components, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), humanitarian actors and government. The section is also responsible for managing UNMISS Quick Impact Projects across the mission and other related projects aimed at supporting mandate implementation. Malakal is classified in the “E” category and as a non-family duty station. The Protection of Civilians Advisor reports to the Chief of Protection Transition and Reintegration Section.

Responsibilities

The Protection of Civilians Advisor will support the Chief Protection Transition and Reintegration ( PTR) Section in leading the Section’s efforts to promote a coherent approach towards protection of civilians, advocacy and facilitation for expanding delivery of humanitarian and protection services to hard-to-reach areas and laying the ground for return and reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees in close coordination with the international community, in particular the members of the UNCT, Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), other humanitarian and protection partners, and the substantive sections of UNMISS, seeking to ensure synergies and alignment of protection, stabilization, early recovery, peacebuilding plans and priorities
Within delegated authority, under the overall leadership and direction of the Protection Transition and Reintegration Head of Section, the Protection of Civilians Advisor will also serve as a Team Leader to PTR Section field team (s) and will be responsible for performing the following duties:
Coordination and communication – Support the implementation and review of the mission-wide protection of civilians (PoC) strategy and local protection action plans; provide secretariat support to the coordination mechanisms; ensure close coordination with relevant protection of civilians partners in the review and implementation of the strategy and local protection plans, including with focal points for child protection and sexual violence in conflict; Support the Senior PoC Advisor in strengthening cooperation with relevant protection actors at sub-regional level, including national authorities, civil society organizations, UN agencies and funds and programs with complementary mandates and other relevant partners, including with international security forces and the protection cluster; Support the work of Community Liaison Assistants; Work with the POC coordination mechanisms and JMAC to provide early warning of POC threats to mission leadership; and Support to the POC focal points in the Field office by providing guidance.
Planning and Programming: Coordinate with relevant protection of civilians partners in the implementation of the Mission-wide POC strategy and contribute to the mainstreaming of Protection of Civilians in all operational and tactical frameworks and local protection plans, including local contingency plans, early warning and PoC threat and risk assessments, with focal points for protection and sexual violence in conflict; Represent PTR section in the field office programming and coordinating Mission’s support for protection of civilians and delivery of humanitarian and protection services through close engagement with Mission Components, humanitarian, protection and development partners and local authorities and representatives; Provide PTR Teams in Field Offices with guidance to address challenges to protection of civilians, safe and voluntary return of IDPs in POC and IDP sites, and provision of protection services to PoC sites and IDP sites across the country; Contribute to PTR’s efforts in implementation of the training program to Mission military and police components, and PoC capacity enhancement for national counterparts and entities, including with focal points for child protection and sexual violence in conflict; and Provide the Head of Field Office and the Head of Section with strategic advice on the implementation of the Mission mandate at the field level, in particular protection of civilians, safe and voluntary return and reintegration.
Monitoring, analysis and reporting: Bring to the attention of the Chief of Section ongoing, emerging and anticipated developments that would impact on implementation of the Mission mandate; Lead PTR Teams in the Field Office in production of daily and analytical reports, and contribute to the inclusion of adequate protection of civilians analysis in relevant reporting requirements, including SG reports, briefings, background notes, talking points, cables, media statements, speeches by senior officials, as well as Mission’s strategies, policies and other mechanisms to strengthen protection of civilians; Work closely with Mission components on monitoring and reporting of protection of civilians activities in the area of responsibility; Strengthen data-driven approaches to POC, including the utilization of data for purposes of early warning analysis and response; Lead or participate in protection team assessments with other actors ensure gender-responsive approaches in all PoC related frameworks and activities; Report on any resource and capability constraints which adversely affect the mission’s ability to implement its protection of civilians mandate; and Take responsibility for any POC monitoring and reporting activities in the area of responsibility,
Training: Support the Senior POC Advisor in assessing the training needs on protection of civilians issues within the area of responsibility, and design and support the delivery of tailored POC modules with relevant mission components, in close consultation with the IMTC and the Senior POC Advisor; and
Perform other related duties as required to the specific operating context

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of issues and significant practical experience related to protection of civilians and rights of women and children affected by protracted conflict. Understanding of international humanitarian and human rights law, core policies and guiding principles of the UN peacekeeping missions. Strong analytical skills and excellent skills in drafting a board range of documents including speeches and reports; ability to review and edit the work of others. Ability to influence others to reach agreement; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Ability to advise the Head of PTR Section on tactical approaches and strategies to advance implementation of mission mandate in complex, sensitive and fluid circumstances, ability to develop and implement policies and projects related to the section’s responsibilities. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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.

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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, humanitarian and human rights law, public administration, economics, development studies or a related field. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the areas of protection of civilians, humanitarian affairs, human rights affairs, political science, international relations, public administration, return and recovery or related fields at the national and international level, that includes inter-agency coordination, policy advisory, and advocacy, in a post-conflict context is required.

Proven working experience in coordination of integrated protection of civilians responses in fragile conflict environments, with specific UN common system, peacekeeping, and political missions is required.

Working experience in post-conflict context or in a peacekeeping operation within the region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Core Values and competencies will be assessed throughout the evaluation process.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for an initial period of six (6) months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

• 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.

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.