Civil Affairs Officer

These positions are located in the United Nations Field Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions, Service Centres and Offices as applicable. The Civil Affairs Officer at this level reports to the Chief of Section/Service, or Civil Affairs Officer. S/he will contribute to the formulation of the mission’s strategic plan, provide guidance and assistance to government departments and districts, and develop necessary guidelines, policies and technical capacity to ensure effective management of public and private sector activities. Submits accurate analysis and reporting of issues and actions in well written and concise reports, effectively works with the local community, including government and community-based organizations as well as the international community.

**Responsibilities**:
Within the limits of delegated authority, the Civil Affairs Officer may be responsible for the following duties;
Core profile
- Provides information and analysis for the Mission and other actors where applicable, on political, social and economic issues affecting conflict dynamics at the local and regional level, including analysis on how these relate to the national level and vice versa. Ensures that the concerns and perceptions of the local population are effectively communicated to the Mission, as well as other actors where appropriate.
- Represents the mission at the local level as required.
- Contributes to a shared understanding of the Mission environment, mandate and operations amongst Mission actors at the local level, in particular uniformed components, to support consistency and coherence of approach.
- Develops and maintains strong networks and partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including local authorities, civil society actors, communities and other UN agencies, in order to facilitate a more integrated and mutually reinforcing approach to addressing new risks and challenges.
- Leads Mission’s efforts at the local level on community engagement within the broader scope of the Mission’s political strategy and mandate.
- Contributes to the formulation of recommendations concerning Mission actions and approaches required at the local level, assists in mobilising a response from other actors where appropriate.
- Monitors and assesses emerging risks and challenges related to climate change, the use of social media to incite violence, misinformation and disinformation, and develop and implement targeted interventions to address these risks and prevent conflict.
- Manages individual Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) intended for confidence building purposes at the local level, in line with DPO Policy on QIPs and mission specific priorities.
- Supervises, monitors, and encourages the work of officers under his/her responsibility in undertaking the full range of their duties, including - where applicable
- Community Liaison Assistants (CLAs).
- Identifies and researches good practice and lessons learned in Civil Affairs work and shares these with colleagues.
- Contributes to overall mission monitoring and planning as required.
- Performs other duties as required, in line with the DPO Policy on Civil Affairs.

Conflict Management
- Supports dialogue, social cohesion and reconciliation initiatives between groups and/or communities in conflict in the area of responsibility by convening structured meetings and similar activities in collaboration with local authorities, where applicable.
- Supports the implementation of social cohesion work and Protection of Civilians mandated activities through effective representation, community engagement, coordination and integrated approach
- Promotes and protects the interest of excluded and/or threatened groups through advocacy in full respect of humanitarian and international law.
- Engages with local authorities, civil society actors and communities to promote the responsible use of social media and to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
- Supports civil society groups and/or institutions at the local level that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation. Assists them, including, where appropriate, in becoming effective implementing partners for Quick Impact Projects.
- Promotes the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in peacebuilding efforts, by engaging with these groups to ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes, and by supporting the development of targeted interventions to promote gender equality, gender-based violence and discrimination.

Support to State Institutions
- Assists local institutions to assess capacity building and support needs, working with partners including the UNCT and in particular UNDP. Helps to design a coordinated response to these needs from relevant actors.
- Assists in the design and implementation of appropriate and practical Civil Affairs support to local authorities, including mentoring and support to policy and decision-making processes where appropriate.
- Supports dialogue and cooperatio