Technical UCP Officer

Job Title:                                                      Technical UCP Officer (internal application only)

Function:                                                      Programme Implementation

Job Group:                                                   Programme

Duty Station:                                               South Sudan

Administrative Line Manager:                   Programme Manager

Technical Line Manager:                            Protection Adviser

Line Management Responsibility:            N/A

ABOUT US

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organisation. We work to reduce violence and protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath. NP implements programming through the deployment of civilian protection teams to the field. Programming is founded on unarmed civilian protection and is thematically focused on protection in displacement, child protection, gender-based violence protection and inter-communal violence reduction.

JOB PURPOSE

The Technical UCP Officer is a member of the programme team for NP South Sudan. This includes supporting NP field teams with the implementing of protection and prevention strategies for vulnerable beneficiaries and relationship-building with local communities, community leaders, and government authorities, as well as with all other relevant protection actors such as NGOs and INGOs, and UN agencies. The Technical UCP Officer will assist with the design and implementation of UCP interventions. This position is roving, and will spend approximately 80% time in the field, with the remaining 20% in Juba.

ABOUT YOU

Experienced National Protection Officer in implementing community-based violence reduction and prevention programming in South Sudan, in the context of an on-going civil conflict and extremely high levels of displacement. You will be a person with a genuine commitment to working at the community level, someone who is skilled at building trusting relationships in an extremely polarized political climate. You are not deterred by the complexity of conflict; you are able to analyse conflict dynamics; you are motivated and unendingly persistent in finding and implementing protection and prevention strategies. You will be responsible for working together with other international and national colleagues to directly implement the project and to participate in reporting and documentation. You are comfortable living and working in a remote, physically demanding environment and possess a comprehensive understanding of UCP and how to apply it.

The successful candidate combines creativity, innovation and demonstrated knowledge of protection, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. S/he is experienced and skilled at converting protection, violence reduction and conflict analysis theory into practical, locally appropriate solutions that effectively increases safety and security of civilians affected by violent conflict. S/he has excellent interpersonal skills and flair for connecting and building trust with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. S/he is solutions focused, strategic and is driven by a keen interest and personal commitment to civilian protection.

KEY OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Commitment to NP Principles

• Know and understand the NP mandate, principles and values and actively commit to upholding and advocating for them both inside and outside of working hours
• Serve as a community role model for peaceful co-existence and nonviolence, and maintain a positive image of the organisation in the community at all times
• Be available for emergencies in the office or field

Project Implementation / Programming

• UCP coach for NP field teams

  • Work with NPSS teams on developing and implementing UCP strategies for the prevention of violence
  • Support the shift in NP programming from being predominately trainings into new types of interventions which promote the agency and confidence of communities to prevent and respond to violence
  • Assist with the development of new programming concepts and intervention modules
  • A roving position which moves to the NP field locations as per need

• Contextual analysis

  • Assist with information gathering and verification, and context analysis, alongside the advisers
  • Proactively engage with all stakeholders in conflict (local community leaders, government authorities, police, army, non-state armed groups, and NGOs) to identify ongoing and potential issues in the community that may trigger violence, when in the field and while in Juba

• Protective presence, accompaniment and other interventions

  • Provide protective presence in situations where and when an incident may occur or has happened and which is a direct threat to peace and stability of the community while upholding the principle of nonpartisanship
  • Provide protective accompanimentto civilians at risk
  • Assist in designing strategic interventions meant to mitigate violence and protect civilians

Administration & Operations

• Reporting

  • Report all work activities according to the set procedures and standards of the Line Managers, as well as supporting the reporting of the field teams where temporarily posted
  • Participate in team meetings, debriefs and strategy sessions, implementing recommendations arising from lessons learnt

• Security

  • Contribute to security assessments and contribute to the maintenance of security for the NP office and equipment
  • Ensure all project work is consistent with agreed safety and security policies and procedures

Other

• Peform any other work-related duties that may be assigned by the Technical Line Manager

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

Education, Knowledge and Experience

• Strong commitment to the safety and security of civilians
• Degree in social works, with relevant experience.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the conflict context in South Sudan
• Comprehensive knowledge of UCP and experience working with NP

Skills

Independent Judgment/Analytical:

• Ability to manage information with discretion
• Ability to set priorities, solve problems and analyse data

Interpersonal:

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Proven ability to build relationships
• Genuine commitment and interest in living and working at the community level
• Flexibility, reliability and stress resilience

Languages:

• Ability to interact confidently with and present information effectively to colleagues and external contacts in verbal and written English
• Proficiency in Arabic language is required

Information Technology:

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite

Other Specialized Requirements

• Willingness and ability to conduct field visits, during the dry and rainy seasons, including overnighting in the communities. This position is physically demanding.
• This position is open to nationals of South Sudan only.

HOW TO APPLY

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to visit our website https://nonviolentpeaceforce.org/about/work-with-us to download and complete the NP Application to accompany your CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Please state in the subject line of the email: “Technical UCP Officer”
• The closing date for applications is Sunday, 12th Feb 2023
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment before participating in an interview.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff at all levels. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. However, all qualified applicants regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or age, will be considered for this opportunity. Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice in the Humanitarian and Development sector.

NO FEE

NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.