Historique

South Sudan gained independence in July 2011, following the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement with Sudan and ensuing referendum. The United Nations provides multi-faceted support to help the newly independent Republic of South Sudan address its peace- and state-building challenges. United Nations support includes a multi-dimensional peacekeeping mission (UNMISS), as well as development and humanitarian support from more than 20 UN agencies.

Since mid-December 2013, South Sudan has faced a severe political crisis, involving ongoing internal armed conflict. This has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis, and impacted ongoing development assistance from the international community. The UN family in South Sudan is therefore faced with the task of reconfiguring its support to South Sudan, and identifying a calibrated approach that ensures synergies between the peacekeeping, humanitarian and development arms of the UN, in a way that best serves the people of South Sudan.

The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Representative (DSRSG/RC/HC/RR) is tasked with coordinating the work of the UN agencies and ensuring effective and efficient collaboration with UNMISS, under the guidance of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. In his efforts, he is assisted by a team of strategic planners, specialists and analysts, as well as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). As part of the team, the Coordination Officer will provide direct support to the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR.

Organizational Context

Under the overall guidance of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR, the Coordination Officer will reinforce the capacity of his/her team to respond to the crisis and post-crisis context with peacekeeping, peace-building, humanitarian and development assistance; to support the implementation of integrated and joint programmes; to monitor progress towards UN priorities and plans, including the South Sudan Crisis Response Plan and UNDAF; to liaise with internal and external actors; and to enable national counterparts to access the expertise of UN agencies.

The Coordination Officer works in close collaboration with UN agencies, their programme and operations teams, UNMISS, government officials, technical advisors and experts, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society to ensure successful and transparent coordination of UN activities.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Functions / Key Results Expected

Provides effective direct support to the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR and his team within his front office, focusing on the achievement of the following key results:
  • Conducts research and analysis on political, social and economic developments in South Sudan, as directed.
  • Conducts data collection activities to support high quality reporting on implementation of UN and national strategic objectives, in consultation with UN Agencies, Government, civil society, multilateral and bilateral institutions;
  • Drafts correspondence, talking points, code cables, reports and other documents, as requested, and compiles required relevant information and reference data;
  • Supports and organizes field trips, conferences, meetings, seminars and workshops as directed. Accompanies the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR to meetings and assists and supports. Attends meetings, working groups and other fora and provides notes to file;
  • Monitors incoming communications and brings to the attention of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR matters requiring his personal attention and assists in formulating options as to how these matters can be handled; ensures appropriate follow-up.
  • Supports clear communication and coordination with UNMISS senior management, heads of sections and front offices, heads of UN agencies, NGOs, government and donors;
  • Supports the preparation of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR Work Plan, reports and proposals for funding.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management in the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR team, focusing on achievement of the following key results:

  • Identifies sources of information related to country-wide political developments and field coordination issues, including with respect to cross-border issues and Abyei. Contributes to knowledge sharing;
  • Supports systems for coordination of information related to UN peacekeeping, humanitarian and development activities in South Sudan;
  • Identifies policies and institutions that require strengthening to ensure effective implementation of UN strategies, in close consultation with UN agencies and UNMISS;
  • Identifies and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned directly linked to country policy goals;
  • Supports organization of training activities for UN staff on coordination issues;
Supports reprioritization efforts across the UN family in South Sudan, focusing on:
  • Support to the DSRSG/RC/HC in strategic planning processes for the reconfiguration of the DRSG/RC/HC pillar under UNMISS mandate review;
  • Support the DSRSG/RC/HC in strategic planning processes for the revision of the South Sudan Crisis Response Plan, Operational Response Plan and reprioritization;
  • Support to the DSRSG/RC/HC in strategic planning processes to support development activities in South Sudan, including the G6+ donor engagement strategy, UNCT programme criticality process, and UNDAF revision process.
  • Support the DSRSG/RC/HC in developing UN-wide approaches to peacebuilding and national reconciliation activities;
  • Support to the DSRSG/RC/HC in identifying synergies and areas of common interest between UNMISS, the UNCT and the HCT;
  • Drafts presentations, reports and guidance notes as directed by the DSRSG/RC/HC;
  • Provides substantive support to the efficient administrative operation of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR front office, focusing on achievement of the following key results;
  • Assists with scheduling and maintenance of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR calendar, including resolving conflicts and ensuring necessary adjustments are made in a timely manner;
  • Assists with the organisation of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR’s official travel arrangements and agendas, including liaising with internal and external partners and collating briefing materials;
  • Supports the front office in handling incoming correspondence and requests for support from the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR, and raises matters that require his personal attention;
  • Monitors the status of implementation of ongoing activities and objectives of the DSRSG/RC/HC/RR’s front office, and ensures deadlines are met;
  • Performs other tasks as requested.
Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of UN System activities, including of UN agencies and UNMISS, the strengthening of overall coordination capacity, and the implementation of UN System reform. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design and operation of UN activities, the creation of strategic partnerships for UN activities and support to national strategies.

Compétences

Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management

  • Shares knowledge and experience within and between UN entities operating in South Sudan.
  • Develops understanding of system-wide UN activities, programmes and assistance frameworks.

Coordination Effectiveness

  • Demonstrates ability to support the implementation of joint UN programme activities, and to strengthen strategic partnerships for the implementation of joint UN assistance frameworks;
  • Demonstrates ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies, UNMISS and main constituents, to advocate effectively, and to communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Professionalism

  • Focuses on impact and result for the client;
  • Works with teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Establishes priorities; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
  • Demonstrates the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to defend and present difficult positions to senior officials;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • Manages conflict and stress, remaining composed and capable of working as a mediator in crisis or difficult interpersonal situations;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education: 

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Relations, Economics or Social Sciences.

Experience: 

  • A minimum of 1 year of relevant experience at the national or international level in conducting analysis of political and developmental issues;
  • Knowledge of the UN System, including peacekeeping operations, would be an advantage;
  • Full proficiency in the use of office software packages, including spreadsheet, presentation and database applications, as well as experience in using web-based systems.

Language Requirements: 

  • Fluency in oral and written English is essential;
  • Knowledge of a second UN language is desirable.