Duties and Responsibilities
This position is for a future anticipated United Nations mission in South Sudan. The position would be based in Juba, South Sudan for a minimum period of 11 months.
The Government of South Sudan (GOSS) is currently overseeing the transitional phase of its constitutional reform in light of the upcoming date of its independence on 9 July 2011. According to the GOSS, this transitional phase will be followed by a consultation process for the permanent Constitution before the next elections in South Sudan envisaged 2-3 years after independence.
The consultation process for the formulation of the permanent Constitution would be extremely crucial for the short term peace and security perspective and for long term stability in South Sudan. If this process is open, transparent and widely participated, then it will lead to enhanced legitimacy of the State through the establishment of rule of law and civil liberties safeguarded by democratic institutions. If the process is fraught with impositions by the SPLM, then it could lead to dissent expressed through violence thus directly impacting peace and stability in South Sudan.
In light of the foregoing, the SRSG of the future anticipted United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) should play a prominent role during the abovementioned process. In this regard, he/she would be well served with a senior advisor on constitutional reforms to achieve meaningful participation and ultimately widen the scope of advice from the SRSG to other actors in the process including GOSS.
The Consititutional Adviser will undertake the following:
- Act as principal advisor to the SRSG on the Constitution making process in South Sudan;
- Keep th SRSG informed on the process and provide advice for his intervention with senior GOSS officials;
- Attend meetings on the issue on behalf of the SRSG as and when required;
- Interact with other actors (bilateral and multilateral donors, INGOs, etc.) to coordinate advice to GOSS; and
- Act as focal point for the Mission with working level GOSS officials dealing with the Constitution making process.
Competencies
Professionalism - Provide expert advise and direction on the development of the constitution-making process to ensure meaningful participation in the process towards strengthening peace, begining a process of national reconciliation, and creating a foundation and road map for longer term state-building and nation building in South Sudan. Ability to apply good judgement in the context of the given assignment and to provide effective specialized expert advice. 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. 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.
Building trust - Reputation for dealing honestly and openly with issues and staff; recognized and highly respected by peers, clients, partners, and staff.
Planning and Organizing - Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision.
Vision – In-depth understanding of the Mission’s strategic direction and ability to transform it into proposed work programmes and reports pertaining to SSR.
Communications – Ability to draft clear and concise reports and other documents and correspondence to and on behalf of senior United Nations officials, the diplomatic community and other programme partners in the Mission; ability to communicate orally effectively.
Leadership – Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work; commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing.
Judgment/Decision-making - Demonstrated sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a range of issues and problems; ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives.
Qualifications
Experience - At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in developing Constitutional Law or working on Constitutional making processes, preferably in a post-conflict/independence setting, is required. Experience of working on Human Rights issues is also advantageous.
Education - Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in law, or related area, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
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.
Interested and qualified candidates please apply by sending a recent CV to outreachforpeace@un.org
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