Gender Affairs Officer

Under Resolution 2677 (2023), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region.

The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2024. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance as well as free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes:

(a) Protection of civilians
(b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance
(c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process
(d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law

The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers.

Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.

These two positions are located within the Gender Affairs Unit of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Gender Affairs Officers will be based in Aweil and Rumbek. Aweil and Rumbek are classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbents report directly to the Heads of Field Offices in Aweil and Rumbek.

Under the direct supervision of Heads of Field Offices in Aweil and Rumbek and Chief, Gender Affairs Unit/Senior Gender Advisor, the UN Volunteers will undertake the following tasks:
• Coordinating and participating in the delivery of the “Gender and Peacekeeping” training courses to all newly arrived military and civilian personnel;
• In consultation with the Chief of Gender Affairs Unit, liaising with the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), community and other international partners for the coordination of capacity building activities targeting civil society, especially women’s groups;
• Participating in meetings of the Gender Working Group that comprises all Geder Focal Points of the UN Team in South Sudan;
• Liaising with other Units and Sections in UNMISS on any gender-related matters (Human Rights, Protection, Transition, and Reintegration Section (PTR) and Peace Building Political and UN Police (UNPOL);
• Assisting with the policy advisory role of the Office of Gender Affairs with regard to gender mainstreaming activities and policies in UNMISS;
• Actively participating in the unit-wise planning processes and applying the defined approach and methods in gender mainstreaming consistently within the context of the Field Office;
• Co-coordinating fact-finding, research or assessment necessary to plan activities and preparing training and programmatic tools;
• Liaising with the UNMISS Public Information Office on gender-related public information materials and projects;
• Consulting with the PTR Section and Public Information Office re-inputting and coordinating a Gender perspective in the PTR information campaign;
• Co-coordinating with the PTR Section to make sure that the needs of female ex-combatants and camp followers are taken into consideration in UNMISS policies;
• Keeping track of global, regional and national developments, including gender roles and providing assistance to the mapping of gender- related activities;
• Preparing weekly reports to the Head of Field Office, Chief, Gender Unit/Senior Gender Advisor and JOC and providing any other required information for the research and analytical products of the mission such as SG’s reports as requested by the Chief of Gender Affairs Unit: and
• Performing other related duties as required by the function.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required 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 volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote capacity development activities and transfer of skills to national personnel during the assignment;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;