National Professional Officers are employed for functions in UNMIS which by their very nature require national knowledge and experience and so could not be carried out as effectively by international professionals.

Description of Duties:

Under the supervision of the Director of Civil Affairs Division (CAD) in Khartoum and Civil Affairs Team Leaders in the field the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Develop and maintain close contacts with local government officials, community-based organizations, and other central agencies, etc. Maintain contact with local authorities, political leaders, religious leaders and businessmen at the city level. Conduct briefings on UNMIS activities.
• Monitor specific aspects of mandate implementation. Identify problems and propose corrective actions, and assist in the coordination of mandate implementation with other mission components and international agencies.
• Compile and analyse the data necessary for the preparation of political analysis and other assessments on the impact of the political, economic and social environment on UNMIS mandate implementation in Khartoum and in the field.
• Draft UNMIS documents and reports, as well as relevant thematic and analytical reports.
• Provide accurate, timely and factual daily and weekly reports on the political and socio-economic situation in Khartoum and in the field.
• Prepare analysis of the on-going political developments to identify trends and issues; provide socio-economic advice to team members; and assist in conducting briefings to UN and Senior Governments officials when required.
• Coordinate and implement confidence-building, dialogue, understanding and cooperation between stakeholders, and assist local and international organizations in conflict resolution and crisis management.
• Support the CAD planning, strategising and overall management of the programme.
• Undertake other tasks as directed by the immediate supervisor and Director of CAD.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues and recommend solutions, demonstrated analytical skills.
  Client Orientation: Ability to identify clients' needs and develop appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients; ability to generate and communicate organizational direction as well as introduce and emphasize UN policies into the dialogue (e.g. gender mainstreaming, human rights, etc:
• Leadership and Teamwork: Ability to provide technical leadership and effectively coordinated projects and assigned tasks. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with respect to diversity.
• Planning and Organizing: Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan.
• Judgement/Decision-making: Sound judgement in applying technical expertise to resolve a range of issues/problems. Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives.
• Creativity: Ability to actively seek to improve programmes/services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs, and promote and persuade others to consider new ideas.
• Commitment to continuous learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in area of expertise.
• Technological awareness: Good computer skills proficiency in work processing spreadsheets and other relevant software packages.
• Communication: Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally.

Qualifications:

• Education: Advanced University Degree in public administration, political science, international relations or any branch of the social sciences.
• Experience: 5-10 years of progressively responsible experience in the application of relevant field of specialization or other related areas are required
• Necessary skills: Ability to work in a tense and/or dangerous environment with minimum comfort.
• Language: Fluency in written English and Arabic. Other languages spoken in Sudan an asset