Judicial Affairs Officer

Job Title: Judicial Affairs Officer

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: MINUSCA COD

Assignment country: Central African Republic

Expected start date: 01/09/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Duration: 10 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Bangui

Details

Mission and objectives

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized in April 2014 the deployment of a United Nations multidimensional stabilization peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA. The Mission is mandated to ensure the protection of civilians, support the peace process, including the implementation of the ceasefire and the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (APPR-RCA), facilitate the full, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the protection of the United Nations. Its other tasks include the promotion and protection of human rights, assist the preparation and delivery of peaceful local elections, support the extension of State authority, the deployment of security forces, and the preservation of territorial integrity, security sector reform, disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes, and support for national and international justice, the fight against impunity, and the rule of law. MINUSCA has an authorized 14,400 military personnel and 3,020 police personnel, and 1,671 civilian personnel. See https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusca and https://minusca.unmissions.org/en/about.

Context

Assignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July - 30 June) up to a maximum of 4 years. There is no expectation of automatic renewal. Contract renewals are granted based on Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. The duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work and travel anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.

Task description

Under the general supervision of the Chief of MINUSCA Justice and Corrections Section (JCS), and the direct supervision of a senior Judicial Affairs Officer or a regional Head of Justice team, the UN Volunteer Judicial Affairs Officer will undertake the following tasks: - Gather and analyze information and report on developments in the national Justice and Rule of Law institutions as well as MINUSCA activities in these fields. - Draft and edit daily and weekly reports for the JCS, incorporating contributions from all parts of the section. - Assist with the preparation and implementation of strategic planning documents, including Results-Based Budgeting. - Prepare and maintain statistical tables on the justice sector in the CAR. - Support technical level coordination with other components of the mission aiming at advancing justice-related issues. - Conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions on a variety of issues relating to the justice sector in the CAR on the basis of the applicable law, international law and international human rights law. - Draft training modules and participate in training activities for the magistrates and other judicial personnel. - Participate in the advisory support to the local judicial institutions in the framework of MINUSCA support to the rule of law institutions. - Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing. - Perform other related duties as required by the supervisor.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in 3 years of relevant, progressively responsible professional experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic or advisor in the field of justice at the national or international level, either as a magistrate, in Government, or in a law firm, with experience in criminal law matters. Field experience is desirable, including preferably at least one year of work experience in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting. Experience in research and drafting documents, such as reports, is desirable. Experience in working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is an advantage. Experience working on thematic issues relevant to the MINUSCA mandate and/or work experience in Central Africa is desirable.

Area(s) of expertise

Legal affairs, Elections and governance, Crisis and emergency response

Driving license

Ability to drive 4x4 manual gear vehicle over rough terrain is desired. Required

Languages

French, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Law or a related field. First-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am. The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos, and the recent creation of the Coalition of Patriots for Change, regrouping some existent armed groups. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along the way. This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer goods are available, but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA guesthouse in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 1000 USD for a small apartment with basic furniture, but no power generator and interrupted running water supply, to 2,000+ USD with all commodities. Accommodation in all CAR duty stations outside of the capital Bangui is mandatorily inside the MINUSCA camps. In most cases, this is in the form of containerized accommodation with an individual bathroom, with 24/7 running water, electricity and wifi. This costs US$ 200 per month and is automatically deducted through the monthly payroll. When no self-contained accommodation is available immediately upon arrival, newly arriving personnel are housed in a container with a common bathroom until a self-contained container frees up. A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well. A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency. The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

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

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