This position is located within Political Affairs Division of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Service, Political Affairs through a Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Under the overall direction of the Chief, Political Affairs, the incumbent will report to a Senior Political Affairs Officer, and will be responsible for performing the following duties: Analysis and Advice Identify, analyze and monitor political developments, trends and emerging issues in South Sudan according to the assigned portfolio and/or applicable mandate Research constitutional and legislative matters; Provide opinions, briefings and/or advice on a Political range of issues pertaining to the constitutional review process and related legislative developments. Political outreach and coordination Develop and maintain constructive working relations and liaison at the appropriate level with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, Government representatives, civil society actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners to ensure effective coordination and information gathering/sharing; Act as a liaison/contact point in the Division for representatives of political parties and other local stakeholders, including officials of the Transitional Government of National Unity and Transitional National Legislative Assembly. Support preparations for official meetings, events and visits, including through the provision of Secretariat services and by drafting talking points and speeches for senior management Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate. Reporting and Information Management Monitor, evaluate and report on political, constitutional and legislative developments. Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, talking points. Prepare contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio Develops and maintains relations with government officials at the working levels and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Professionalism Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, social and economic issues; Ability to identify and solve complex problems and develop consensus driven solutions; Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of political and constitutional developments in South Sudan and related issues and problems; Ability to conduct research, formulate options, and present conclusions and recommendations; 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. 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, diplomacy, law, public administration in an international organization, government institution, or national civil society organization. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Not available.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, law, or related aspects of public policy, or public administration in an international organization, government institution, or national civil society organization is required. Good knowledge of constitutional law and related processes ,knowledge of the South Sudan legal system is required. Experience in preparing summary and analytical reports is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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

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. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. 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.

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.

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.

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