Gender/Political Affairs Officer – UNV

Job Description

Organization		UN OCHA Sudan’s
Description of the assignment title		Gender/Political Affairs Officer
Host entity		UNITAMS
Assignment country		Sudan
Type		Onsite
Duration		12 months (with possibility of extension)
Sustainable Development Goal		16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Number of assignments		1
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities		No
Advertisement end date		05/07/2022

Details

Mission and objectives

Update

Context

The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2524 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNITAMS which is to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; support peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Blue Nile and South Kordofan (the Two Areas) and Darfur; and support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance. Gender is mainstreamed across the pillars of support mandated to UNITAMS by SC resolution 2524 (2020).

Task description

Under the supervision of the Senior Gender Advisor,, the UN Volunteer Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties within their area of assignment: Outreach and coordination – Develop and maintain active and constructive working relations with women’s groups and civil society and liaison at the appropriate level; with key interlocutors; Identify, monitor and analyze Women, Peace and Security issues and developments with respect to the implementation of UNITAMS mandate at the local and/or national level, with a particular focus on gender-related political dynamics and processes of reconciliation, democratization and security sector reform; Assist with the use of UNITAMS good offices to facilitate inclusive dialogue, build confidence and seek solutions to political/security issues of concern; Identify potential and emerging trends which might affect women’s participation and rights in the political situation; Reporting – Prepare a range of internal reports and briefing papers, including but not limited to situation reports, notes to file, briefing notes, options papers, talking points; Support Mission reporting requirements, including daily and weekly inputs; Ensure effective information management. Any other tasks as required by the supervisors. This assignment is a support service to the UNITAMS Gender Unit, working closely with the Political Affairs Division; it is not a humanitarian assignment. Furthermore, UN volunteers are encouraged to: Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day) Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteer.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 – 26

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

1 years of experience in At least 1 year of progressively responsible experience in political science, international development and human rights, security diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related area are required.

Master’s degree or equivalent in Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Area(s) of expertise

Community development, Development programmes, Elections and governance

Driving license

–

Languages

Arabic, Level: Fluent, Desirable

English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in experience in political science, international development and human rights, security diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related area are required.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism – Demonstrated ability to identify problems, i.e. political, ethnic, racial, social, economic, etc., causing unrest in a country or geographic area; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations.

• Communication – Excellent oral skills and proven drafting ability; ability to develop contacts and foster collaboration with other organizations in order to acquire timely information on current initiatives and studies pertinent to assigned area.

• Planning and Organizing – The ability to manage own plan and the work and the work schedules of others and to meet short deadlines.

• Teamwork – Sound interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Sudan has made the headlines lately after the former regime was thrown by the people of Sudan, ending a period of 30 years dictatorship and grievances, however, heavy heritage of social, economic, and political crises was handed over to the new government. The worldwide acclaimed role played by women to bring about change has contributed to the creation of a more conducive environment to work in the area of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment following the adoption of a Constitutional Declaration which guarantees and promotes women’s rights in all social, political, and economic fields, and combats all forms of discrimination against women. The chapter 12 on independent commissions states the establishment of Women and Gender Equality Commission, and Chapter 7 allocated not less than 40% for women in the Transitional Legislative Council. Khartoum is the capital and trading Centre of Sudan and is situated in Khartoum State, at the junction of the Blue and White Nile rivers; Omdurman is also a suburb of Khartoum, giving the urban area a population of over 3 million. It has long served as a major communications Centre between the Arab countries of North Africa and central African countries. The city lies near the rich, irrigated cotton growing Gezira area to the south and much of its trade is based on Nile river traffic. An oil pipeline links the city with Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Industries include tanning, textiles, light engineering, food processing, glassware, and printing. Sudan’s climate ranges from tropical in the south to arid dry desert in the north. Khartoum is one of the hottest capitals in the world in summer, although the winter months are cooler and pleasant. A rainy season in many areas spans from April to October. Living conditions in Khartoum are good. Khartoum is classified as a family duty station, with anadequate level of services, accommodation, and facilities. One can rent a comfortable modern apartment or house with air conditioners that mitigate the hot and dusty climate. Medical facilities are basic. The cost of living may be high, depending on the standards, particularly for food and accommodation. It is a relatively safe environment, sometimes marked by small criminality, especially due the economic crisis, legacy of the years of exclusion of the country from the international community, exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic. MORSS (Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards) compliance is required. Generally, the city is safe compared to other capitals in the continent. There are many restaurants and cafes for socializing, although limited sports facilities due to the climate although one can get membership of gyms for indoor exercise and there are clubs for swimming. International personnel should be prepared to use cash while in Sudan. ATM facilities are only available for local accounts. Credit cards cannot be used while in Sudan. Currency exchange and money transfer facilities, such as Western Union, are available in Khartoum. All Photography without a permit is forbidden in Sudan. Do not take photographs without express permission. Where an official is present, you must ask permission to photograph. It is advised to obtain such permission prior to any display of a camera. Dress code is modest and conservative (arms and legs covered), although trousers are acceptable for women, head scarves do not need to be worn by expatriate women in the capital, men should wear long trousers. Public displays of affection should be avoided. Public drunkenness is forbidden and possession of alcohol in Sudan is against the local laws. Visitors should always note that UN staff members are not permitted to bring alcohol into the country.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy