Calling all UN Volunteers: Join UNMISS as a Human Rights Officer (8 Positions Available) in South Sudan!
Human Rights Officer (UNMISS) – South Sudan
Location: Bentiu, Juba, Rumbek OLS, Wau
Assignment Duration: March 20, 2025 – June 30, 2025
Application Deadline: March 5, 2025
Duty Stations: Bentiu (2), Juba (4), Rumbek OLS, Wau
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Mission and Objectives
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), established in 2011, works to support peace efforts and foster a durable, inclusive peace in South Sudan. Under Resolution 2677 (2023), UNMISS’ mandate has been renewed to continue advancing peace, preventing civil war, and supporting peace agreements in South Sudan. This role plays a critical part in the implementation of transitional justice, accountability, and the protection of civilians, with a focus on human rights violations and conflict-related crimes.
The Human Rights Officer (HR Officer) will contribute to the ongoing mission to monitor, investigate, and report on human rights and humanitarian law violations, focusing on gender-based violence and abuses related to children, alongside transitional justice efforts.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor and investigate human rights violations, including possible war crimes or crimes against humanity. You will draft communications such as briefing notes, press releases, statements, and other products on human rights issues.
- Capacity Building: Conduct activities that build national capacity in the areas of administration of justice and transitional justice, including organizing workshops, advising national counterparts, and monitoring the legal system.
- Investigation and Fact-Finding: Conduct investigations and fact-finding missions into abuses of human rights and violations of international law.
- Analysis and Reporting: Gather data and conduct in-depth analysis on the human rights situation in South Sudan, including thematic reports and situational updates.
- Collaboration: Work with national, regional, and international partners, including government representatives, NGOs, civil society, and UN agencies, to facilitate human rights initiatives.
- Risk Assessment: Monitor and assess the implementation of mitigating measures within the framework of Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP).
- Gender Sensitivity: Ensure the integration of gender perspectives in all human rights activities, with a particular focus on conflict-related sexual violence.
Eligibility Criteria
- Experience: Minimum 3 years of work experience in human rights or related fields.
- Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Social Science, or a related discipline. Specialization in human rights is preferred.
- Languages: Proficiency in English (fluent) is required. Arabic (working knowledge) is desirable.
- Skills:
- Knowledge of international human rights instruments.
- Familiarity with international humanitarian law is desirable.
- Experience in human rights monitoring, reporting, and fact-finding is desirable.
- Familiarity with civic and political space, transitional justice, and accountability mechanisms is advantageous.
- Experience in working in conflict or post-conflict settings is a plus.
Living Conditions
- UNMISS duty stations are considered non-family duty stations.
- Conditions are basic with shared accommodation in most areas (e.g., Bentiu), and basic residential camp facilities with running water and electricity.
- Climate: Tropical with a rainy season from April to October.
- Security: Security levels are managed by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and briefings are provided upon arrival.
- Healthcare: Medical care is available at Level-I and Level-II clinics within the mission area, with referrals for higher-level care.
Application Process
- Deadline: Applications must be submitted by March 5, 2025.
- Interested candidates must apply for this position via the UNV portal (UN Volunteers).
Please be advised that UN Volunteers do not charge any fees for the application, selection, or recruitment process. If you are contacted for any payment, please disregard the request as it may be a scam.
