Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Protection Transition and Reintegration Section of the United Nations Mission South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba. The Recovery Return and Reintegration Officer reports to the Chief of Protection Transition and Reintegration Section. The Protection Transition and Reintegration (PTR) Section is responsible for supporting protection, 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. Bentiu is classified in the “E” category and as a non-family duty station.

Responsibilities

The Recovery Return and Reintegration Officer 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 of civilians, stabilization, early recovery, peacebuilding plans and priorities. Within delegated authority, and under the overall leadership and direction of the Protection Transition and Reintegration Head of Section, the Recovery, Return and Reintegration Officer will be responsible in performing the following duties:

PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING: Represent PTR 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; Monitor and assess the situation of protection of civilians, delivery of humanitarian and protection services and return and reintegration; Provide PTR Teams in Field Offices with guidance to address challenges to protection of civilians, safe and voluntary return and reintegration, delivery of humanitarian and protection services across the country; Ensure PTR’s participation in and substantive contribution to coordination mechanisms with Mission Components and humanitarian, protection and development partners on protection of civilians and development and implementation of durable solutions for displaced persons; 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, and fostering an environment conducive to delivery of humanitarian and protection service; and identify opportunities and develop programmes for durable solutions to internal displacement, early recovery and peace-building activities; Coordinate with relevant PoC partners in the implementation of the Mission-wide POC strategy 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.

PARTNERSHIP: Build and sustain collaborative working relations with Mission Components, UN and non-UN partners, national authorities and representatives, bilateral and multilateral donors, regional organizations, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders; Strengthen cooperation with Mission Components and relevant protection actors, including national authorities, civil society, UN agencies and funds and programs with complementary mandates and other relevant partners, including the protection cluster, bilateral and multilateral donors, regional organizations, , the private sector and other stakeholders; Support in assessing the training needs on protection of civilian issues within the mission, and design and support the delivery of tailored POC modules with relevant mission components. Constructively engage affected populations, vulnerable communities and local authorities to support development of associated policies and guidelines; and conduct other duties as required.

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND MANAGEMENT: Support and lead PTR Teams at the field level on the management of UNMISS Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) with an aim to establish to create an improved environment for implementation of the Mission mandate; Support PTR field teams to develop coherent programmatic initiatives that promote protection of civilians, reintegration and peacebuilding; Support and lead PTR Teams at the field level on development and roll out of the Section’s Annual Work Plan and Results Based Budget (RBB); Support mainstreaming of protection of civilians plans and activities at the field level; and mentor and evaluate staff members of PTR Teams in Bentiu.

ANALYSIS, ADVICE AND REPORTING: Bring to the attention of the Chief of PTR Section ongoing, emerging and anticipated developments that would impact on implementation of the Mission mandate; Lead PTR Teams in the Field Office in producing daily and analytical reports, inputs to code cables and reports of the Secretary-General related to protection of civilians, early recovery, delivery of humanitarian and protection services, and return and reintegration of IDPs and refugees; Lead PTR Teams in the Field Office in producing inputs to 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, facilitate return and reintegration and foster an environment conducive to delivery of humanitarian and protection services; Work closely with Misison components at field level to provide early warning of POC threats to the Head of Office and Chief of PTR Section and support joint in information triangulation, monitoring, analysis and reporting and the utilization of data for purposes of early warning analysis and response.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION: Lead in management of effective flow of information on activities and programmes of PTR Teams, including QIPs, between HQ and PTR Teams in Field Offices.

Competencies

Professionalism
Extensive knowledge of and significant practical experience with issues related to protection and rights of women and children affected by protracted conflict, early recovery, return and reintegration, humanitarian affairs, core policies and guiding principles of the UN peacekeeping missions; Excellent drafting, monitoring, and reporting skills; ability to examine, edit and provide analytical inputs and intellectual guidance for the work of others; ability to advise a Head of 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 proficiency of the subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; ability to work under pressure including insecure environments, while maintaining productivity and effectiveness. 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.

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.

Team- Work
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; willingness to solicit inputs by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from other; places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with group final decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Willingness to share credit for team accomplishments and 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, 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, early recovery, complex emergencies, return and reintegration, rehabilitation and development, inter-agency coordination, policy advisory, resource mobilization and advocacy, or related area in a post-conflict context is required.

Proven working experience in protection of civilians, return and reintegration in volatile, fragile post conflict environment, with specific working experience in the region is required.

Working experience and comprehension of peacekeeping planning process, including results-based planning, comprehensive planning, and performance, and/ or managing quick impact projects is required.

At least three years of related experience in a UN common system, including peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes, or similar international or regional organizations, bilateral donors, research institutions and 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

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for three months, with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds. 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.