Rule of Law Officer 16 views0 applications

Mission and objectives

Under Resolution 2677 (2023), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2024. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance as well as free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes: (a) Protection of civilians (b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance (c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process (d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers. Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.

Context

UNMISS was established in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); subsequently, UNMISS mandate has since been renewed through various resolutions. In the latest resolution 2579 (2024), the Security Council mandated UNMISS to use technical assistance and capacity building to support the Government of South Sudan and non-governmental South Sudanese voices to strengthen, expand and reform all components of the rule of law and justice sector, in a conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive manner, and in line with the terms of the Peace Agreement in order to strengthen protection of civilians, combat impunity, and promote accountability, including investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, and human rights violations and abuses in a survivor-centered approach, which includes taking measures for the protection of victims and witnesses; The UNMISS Strategic Vision for 2021/2024 identified five tracks of engagement to achieve these objectives; two of the tracks are directly linked to UNMISS Rule of Law Advisory Section (RoLAS)’s ongoing and planned activities. This post will support RoLAS’s engagements with national rule of law institutions to expand access to justice. The incumbent will provide technical advice and support to key justice institutions and strengthen individual and institutional accountability; strengthening linkages along the justice chain to increase access to justice and promote accountabil1ty; and facilitating deployment of mobile courts; mentor and advise national justice actors on criminal justice delivery and increase coordination along the justice chain. Continued interventions in these areas – as the UNMISS Strategic Vision notes are designed to promote a strong and integrated justice ·chain that is key to the protection of civilians, breaking cycles of violence, and holding peace spoilers accountable, as well as to fostering a culture of accountability for the violence and human rights violations that undermine peace and stability

Task description

Under the overall supervision of Director, Rule of Law and immediate supervision of the Senior Rule of Law Officer/Senior Judicial Affairs Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Provide technical assistance and advice to judges, prosecutors and police investigators (including special courts and general courts martial) on the methods and techniques employed during all phases of the prosecution process, including case development, interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects, gathering and safeguarding evidence, preparing evidence for trial, and presenting a case before the court. • Mentor and advise national justice actors on criminal justice delivery and to increase coordination along the justice chain, including support to customary justice system. • Advise and support the Mission Rule of Law and Security Institution Section implement rule of law strategies at the field and national level, including mobile court deployment. • Provide legal analysis on national laws and provide context specific interventions on rule of law issues and support mission mandate delivery, including support to the customary justice system. • Conduct capacity building and trainings for justice chain actors in conjunction with other UNMISS Sections (e.g., human rights, UNPOL and civil affairs). • Develop and maintain relations with government officials and other key players and actively promote coordination and communication between international and national partners, with a view to supporting deployment of mobile courts and ensuring that all technical advice is provided in a harmonized manner and support is consistent with international best practice and human rights. • Facilitate strategic and day-to-day coordination and activities with other UNMISS components (e.g. UNPOL, Rights, Gender, Child Protection), other United Nations entities, external partners and civil society organizations.