Associate Political Affairs Officer - Female project

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

According to UN policy directives to achieve gender equity, and the UN system-wide goal established in 1994 to reach 50/50 parity at all levels and in all entities, the gender imbalance at UNAMA is staggering. The representation of female staff at UNAMA varies from 79 to 30%. During the past 10 years, there has been ongoing concern about the gender imbalance at UNAMA. This was most recently expressed during the Senior Gender Dialogue meetings by the current SRSG. It was noted that additional measures are now required if the status quo is to change. Consequently, the SRSG asked the O/CMS to review the situation and identify creative ways to attract and retain qualified female national and international staff UNAMA Gender balance project: Capacity buildfng of female national candidates. Pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and 7 subsequent resolutions together comprising the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) agenda, relevant UN policies promoting gender equality within the organization and a request from the SRSG to identify ways to address the current gender imbalances at UNAMA, we see the potential to pilot a National Youth UN Volunteer (NUNV) scheme targeting national women university graduates for 1-2 years to allow them to gain professional work experience in order to apply fof regular posts. The use of National UN Volunteers in UNAMA can provide a framework for enhancing the opportunities for national women to advance through addressing the present Human Resources requirements of academic qualifications and lack of work related experience training that continue to have adverse effects women’s access to employment in DPKO/DPA missions. Recruitment of national UNVs through the NUNV modality to work alongside UNAMA personnel will provide on-the-job training which will help to strengthen their technical and professional skills ensuring that young female Afghans enjoy equal access to employment opportunities and will meet experience requirements to apply as national staff in UNAMA. Justification: In order to implement the political affairs division work plan, with special reference to SC Resolution 1325 of 2000 on Women, Peace and Security, female national UNV Political Affairs Assistants are required in the Political Affairs Division HQ in Kabul as well as in each of the field offices, in order to be able to address inclusion of different sectors of society, especially women and minority representatives, in political, security, economic and governance processes.

Under the direct supervision of an international Political Affairs Officer in each region, the National UN Volunteer will:

• Collect, selecting and analyse information from diverse sources, including publications and the media, with special attention to the representation of all segments of society including vulnerable categories like minorities and women; • Support the monitoring of national, provincial and district level political, security and political economic developments and keep abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment in accordance with the priorities established by the mission; • Coordinate to maintain up to date knowledge of events relating to regional political issues in general, and in particular areas of responsibility as well as thematic mandates; • Support in the development and maintaining of profiles/maps database for the political section, including: provincial and district profiles, tribal profiles, background of important personalities, and other directories, profiles, maps as requested; • Facilitate in maintaining contacts with regional/local civil servants and de facto government officials/structures; community leaders; political parties and civil society representatives in areas of responsibility; • Assisting in preparing summaries of articles from a wide variety of sources and provide inputs to reports; • Support the Office's provision of good offices in line with the mandate; • Interpret from English into Pashto/Dari and vice-versa during meetings; Translate documents from English into Pashto/Dari whenever necessary; • Support visiting teams/missions as required; • Participate in periodic field missions in order to update the overall political situation; • Provide administrative and logistical support to officers in the Regional Cooperation Section; including arrangements for meetings, preparing documents etc. • Support field trips including preparation of road mission requests and arrange for security clearances • Create and maintain administrative files and official records including records of incoming and outgoing correspondence

• Accountability
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Working in Teams

3 years of experience in Relevant experience in areas linked to political affairs, governance and development issues is desirable.

This position is open for local applicants (Afghanistan nationals) only and no accommodation will be provided.