Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Juba, in the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Political (DSRSG/P). Juba is classified in the “E” category and as a non-family duty station. The Special Assistant will report to the Senior Advisor and Head of Office of the DSRSG/P.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the DSRSG/P and direct supervision of the Senior Advisor and Head of Office of the DSRSG/P, and within the limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Provide substantive and practical support to the DSRSG/P in implementing the Mission’s mandate;
• Bring to the attention of the D/SRSG-P all matters requiring personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed;
• Efficiently select, analyze, classify, and store in computerized databases information relating to the overall peace process in South Sudan, including the R-ARCSS, sub-national peace and reconciliation efforts and work with the relevant teams to develop trends and key messages for the DSRSG/P and senior leadership. Support the DSRSG in convening meetings he is responsible for chairing such as the monthly Joint HL coordination meeting with RTGONU;
• Support internal coordination, monitoring and planning of the work of the Political Pillar while maintaining a functional relationship with various Mission components;
• Perform the secretariat functions to the ad-hoc Forums chaired by the DSRSG/P in performing integrated and holistic approach to POC threats and subnational violence and conflict;
• Facilitate the flow of information between the Political Pillar sections;
• Coordinate incoming and outgoing correspondence of the DSRSG/P; draft correspondence for the DSRSG/P’s signature;
• Support the organization and management of the DSRSG/P’s meetings and official missions, prepare written summaries and monitor follow-up activities, as appropriate;
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with mission components, the authorities, civil society, the broader UN family, donors and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters;
• Coordinate and draft summaries and analytical reports including, but not limited to, briefing notes, code cables and inputs for reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council; draft talking points and speeches for the DSRSG in collaboration with Pillar components, as required;
• Assist in formulating, implementing, and reporting on the Pillar’s work plan, and including through support to planning and budgetary process. Assist with media liaison and manage requests for interviews with the DSRSG/P;
• Serve as a focal point on operational and coordination issues as required;
• Perform other relevant duties as requested by the DSRSG/P

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; 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.

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 from team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field. A first university degree with a combination of two years professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree or equivalent.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, political affairs, conflict resolution, or related field. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required.

At least one-year 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 nongovernmental organization, in a conflict or post-conflict setting, is required.

Experience in monitoring, analyzing and reporting on peace processes is required.

Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official as a Special Assistant (or similar) is desirable.

Experience working on conflict-related issues in Africa is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in spoken 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 six (06) months, with 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.