The Senior Recovery Return and Reintegration Officer (Senior RRR Officer) is based in Juba and serves under Humanitarian Pillar of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Senior RRR Officer heads the Relief, Reintegration and Protection (RRP) Section, and reports to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC). The RRP Section is responsible for supporting 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 (QIPs) across the mission and other related projects aimed at supporting mandate implementation. The Section also undertakes the overall coordination of operational issues related to the UNMISS protections of civilians (PoC) sites.

Responsibilities

The Senior Recovery Return and Reintegration Officer will be responsible for promoting 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 government agencies and 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. Within delegated authority, and under the overall leadership and direction of the DSRSG/RC/HC, the Senior Recovery, Return and Reintegration Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties:

PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING: Monitor and oversee operations and performance of RRP Teams in UNMISS HQ in Juba and Field Offices in 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; Supervise RRP Teams in UNMISS HQ in Juba and Field Offices in monitoring and assessing challenges relating to protection of civilians and developing initiatives aimed at addressing them, supporting delivery of humanitarian and protection services as well as supporting return and reintegration. Represent RRP in coordination mechanisms with Mission Components, humanitarian forums, and with protection and development partners on implementation of the Mission mandate; participate in and lead inter-agency mechanisms on development and implementation of durable solutions for IDPs and vulnerable communities; propose, support and participate in field missions to assess the situation pertaining to protection of civilians; and to oversee, manage and support the process of conceptualizing programmatic activities and Quick Impact Projects and ensure their successful implementation.

ANALYSIS, ADVICE AND REPORTING: Support the Pillar Head and keep the Mission Leadership abreast of ongoing, emerging and anticipated developments that would impact on implementation of the Mission mandate. Support the DSRSG/RC/HC with strategic advice on implementation of the Mission mandate, in particular protection of civilians, safe and voluntary return and reintegration, and fostering an environment conducive to delivery of humanitarian and protection service. Supervise the Section’s reporting and the drafting of various documents related to protection of civilians, early recovery, delivery of humanitarian and protection services, and return and reintegration of IDPs and refugees, including inputs to code cables and reports of the Secretary-General, briefings, background notes, talking points and media statements, among others. Represent the Section in the development of Mission 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; and represent the Mission in leading and advising inter-agency working groups and task forces on protection of civilians, expansion of delivery of humanitarian and protection services and durable solutions for IDPs and refugees.

PARTNERSHIP: Sustain and strengthen collaborative working relationship through formal and informal contacts 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; and guide the Section on constructive engagement with IDPs, vulnerable communities and local authorities to support development of associated policies and guidelines; and conduct other duties as required.

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND MANAGEMENT: In conjunction with partners, guide the Section in identifying priority areas and opportunities for early recovery, protection of civilians, return and reintegration activities and support the mobilization of resources to that end; Oversee utilization of the Section’s programmatic activities budget to achieve the Mission’s mandate. Supervise RRP Teams in Field Offices on the management of UNMISS Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) with an aim to establish and build community confidence in the Mission, and to create an improved environment for implementation of the Mission mandate; Supervise the Section in the development and rollout of the Section’s Annual Work Plan and Results Based Budget (RBB); and ensure management, mentoring and evaluation of staff members of the Section.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION: Coordinate the Section to maintain an effective system of information management and flow between HQ and RRP Teams in the field designed to guarantee accessibility and utility of information on the Section’s programmes including QIPs and programmatic activities; Promote coherence in communication strategies among UN agencies.

Competencies

Professionalism:
Knowledge of the work of the United Nations, knowledge of humanitarian issues, Human Rights, International Relations and/or Women’s Rights, together with a thorough understanding of the concepts and practices related to gender issues, particularly gender mainstreaming. In-depth understanding of UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security; excellent drafting, monitoring and reporting skills; ability to adapt to hardship missions and remote locations. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, formulate options, draw conclusions and make effective recommendations, particularly in relation to addressing humanitarian issues, the needs of women and girls and IDPs in post-conflict situations; ability to formulate policy advice, position papers and reports for the attention of Senior Managers. Ability to work under extreme pressure in highly stressful environments. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to gender and humanitarian issues. 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.

Team Work:
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national, linguistic and cultural backgrounds with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Willingness to solicit inputs and learn from others, to place team agenda before personal agenda. Willingness to share credit for team accomplishments and joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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

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.

Judgement/decision making:
Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and overcomes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes touch decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, law, 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 ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of protection of civilians, relief coordination, humanitarian affairs, early recovery, complex emergencies, return and reintegration, peace-building, rehabilitation and development, inter-agency coordination, policy advisory, resource mobilization and advocacy, or related areas is required.
Significant diplomacy and ability to coordinate with Mission Components and other agencies is required.
Clear understanding of the national and regional political and social dynamics is required.
Relevant professional experience must include a minimum of four (4) years 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.
Given the volatile situation in South Sudan and the responsibility RRP has for the direct engagement with and management of relations with civilians in the event of an influx inside UNMISS bases, proven community-level engagement, community conflict resolution and reconciliation work experience 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.

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.

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.