The Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development and the United Nations jointly launched the new “Opening Doors: Building Careers Together” initiative, which aims to educate and sensitize South Sudanese nationals on employment in the United Nations system, at the Ministry of Labour on Thursday.

The launch was presided over by officials from the Ministry of Labour, Public Service, and Human Resource Development, including Honourable Minister Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang, Honourable Deputy Minister David Yau Yau, and Honourable Undersecretary Mary Hillary Wani Pitia. Joining the government representation was Undersecretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Honourable Gat Kouth Peter Kulang and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports Honourable Agum Riig Maban.

“The collaboration that we are having now with the UN family agencies aiming to sensitize and educate our jobseekers on the UN and other NGO job market is greatly welcome. The activities that will be carried out will enhance the chances of employment for our job seekers and with time they will be able to take over the labour market in the country and contribute effectively to the development of the economy,” said Hon. Minister Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang in his remarks.

The United Nations was represented by the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator a.i. Dr. Abdulmumini Usman, Country Representative for the World Health Organization. Country Representatives and members of the Inter-Agency Human Resource Network were in attendance from UNMISS, UNV, WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, FAO, UNWOMEN, UNEP, IOM, UNOCHA, UNMAS, and UNHCR.

“To be successful in our mandates, the United Nations, agencies, funds and programmes, all need the unique expertise, perspective, and skills that South Sudanese national staff bring to the table. We are also aware that our systems can sometimes appear to be complex or unclear, especially from the outside looking in. We want this new initiative to be a resource for all interested in making their mark – and this goes beyond simple job and volunteer vacancies. We want the public to know that the UN is not operating in a closed-door environment, and we are here to help everyone, at all levels, understand how they can join us,” said Dr. Usman, delivering remarks on behalf of Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. Eugene Owusu.  

A series of radio and public outreach activities, including a career fair scheduled for Thursday, May 25^th in Juba, were also announced at the launch event.

The United Nations Human Resources Inter-Agency Network is supporting the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development to lead the “Opening Doors: Building Careers Together” initiative.