HEAD OF OFFICE, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 110,869 USD and 209,528 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), to serve in multiple duty stations: Pasto, Cucuta, San Jose del Guaviare, Popayan, Tolima. The Head of the Regional Office will report to Chief of Staff and to the Director of Verification in Bogotá, which fall under the Special-Representative of the Secretary-General. The Head of Regional Office is the Mission's most senior representative in his/her geographical area of responsibility and assumes overall responsibility for administering the Regional Office as well as for managing field teams under the authority of the Regional Office, in line with the mandate and strategic guidance provided by Mission headquarters. The Head of Office represents the Mission and is responsible for engaging all relevant governmental and non-governmental actors, as well as the UN system, in the department(s) covered, regarding the Mission´s mandate and activities.

Responsibilities In line with the Mission´s mandate and strategic guidance provided by Mission headquarters, as well as applicable principles, rules and regulation, and within limits of delegated authority, the Head of Office is responsible for the effective running of the Regional Office and for, but not limited to, the following duties:

Management: Ensure that the Regional Office functions in a coordinated, coherent and effective manner across all areas of activity and responsibility; Formulate a work plan for the Regional Office and the field teams (local level) falling under the responsibility of the Regional Office; Serve as first or second reporting officer to staff in the Regional Office and at the local level; Provide strategic direction and guidance to the substantive activities of the Mission within the Regional Office´s area of responsibility; Ensure the operational functioning of the Regional Office and support the operational functioning field teams, as appropriate, in collaboration with national and regional Mission Support personnel; Analysis, Advice and Reporting: Identify, analyze and monitor regional/ local developments and emerging issues with respect to the Mission´s mandate; assess implications and make recommendations to Mission leadership and partners on possible strategies, policies and action to be taken to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives and UN principles and values; monitor, and report on outcomes; Ensure regular, timely and high quality reporting to Mission leadership on pertinent developments and issues related to the mandate; Manage the preparation of summary and analytical reports, including situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file and verification reports; Oversee the preparation of contextual information materials, such as background notes and profiles; ensure an effective system of information management designed to guarantee accessibility and utility of information. Planning, Coordination and Facilitation: Develop and maintain productive relationships with departmental and municipal authorities, political and community leaders, civil society representatives, the UN system and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters; Develop and lead outreach strategies, in collaboration with public information staff, targeting the local population in order to build and maintain trust, manage expectations, consolidate relationships and the public opinion regarding the peace process and the Mission´s work, create/expand political space, foster dialogue and develop an understanding of local perceptions and views on relevant issues, challenges and possible solutions thereto; ensure that perceptions are factored into the Mission's own activities and contribution to policy-making and planning processes; Consult and collaborate with institutional partners to increase understanding of issues and develop strategies and plans of action to address challenges, in pursuit of shared objectives; Provide good offices on behalf of the SRSG, as appropriate. Support and/or facilitate visits to the area of responsibility by Mission delegations and/or external partners.

Competencies Professionalism - Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands; Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education An Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field is required. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, human rights or related field is required. Five (5) years of relevant experience at the international level is required. A proven track record of leadership in multi-cultural settings, including management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams, is required. Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (field experience in peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) -or similar international organization or non-governmental organization- in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Experience in outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Experience working in Latin America is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency (oral and written) in English and Spanish is required.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by an interview.

Special Notice This job opening is to identify the most qualified candidate for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. Candidates endorsed by the FCRB but not selected will be placed on the P-5 Head of Office roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff, as per the Secretary General´s Gender Parity Strategy. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. #United_for_Gender_Parity

Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.