LIAISON OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 74,649 USD and 97,747 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 These positions are located in either regional offices, sub-regional offices, hubs, or local offices within the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) in several duty stations. The Liaison Officer will report to the Head of Office directly, or through a supervisor.

The P-3 Liaison Officer will often be in remote locations without immediate day-to-day supervision. Some locations are in nonfamily or hardship duty stations. The Liaison Officer may be housed in camp environments and austere living conditions.

The P-3 Liaison Officer will work alongside civilian colleagues and international observers, supporting the Head of Regional Offices or Sub Regional Offices or leading local teams to implement the UNVMC mandate.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

- Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the office i.e., engaging with former members of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP), municipal and departmental authorities, armed forces and security forces officials, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, community groups, ethnic communities and religious organizations, in the context of the Mission's verification mandate.

- Supports his/her supervisor in the coordination of inputs for reports and other sensitive and confidential communications to the Mission’s headquarters. Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Head of the Regional Office related to Mission's mandate. As requested, provides information on assigned issues regarding the Colombia Peace process and Final Peace Agreement; cooperates with counterparts to develop strategies to address peace challenges as per the Mission's mandate objectives.

- Provides assistance and support to other substantive sections of the mission to have a consensual approach to the Mission environment, mandate and operations among Mission actors, and relevant national and international stakeholders.

- Develops and maintains relations with the UN Country Team, Regional Intergovernmental Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, academic and research institutions for discussions to reach consensus and make decisions; prepares trend analysis monthly and situational reports as requested; supports primary stakeholders programming and acts as institutional liaison.

- Attends meetings, considers methodologies, and participates in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for the regional office. Assists in planning, coordinating, and supporting programmes, projects and activities related to UNVMC's mandate requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. As required, represents the Head of Office at round tables, seminars and conferences.

- Supervises United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Liaison Officers and International Observes within the local team site, developing guidelines, managing work plans, adjusting the team's time frames, and taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspective and ensuring the equal participation of women men in all areas of work. Participates as a team member on a team that will deal with various political and security issues in the assigned area of responsibility, preparing reports analyzing trends, and discussing future forecasts.

- Ensures compliance with policies related to conduct and discipline and an enabling working environment for non-discrimination and gender parity across all functions.

- Performs other related duties as required.

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; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, or a related field. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification A valid driving license is required for the positions advertised.

Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation, or coordination is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, political affairs, international relations, law, mediation, conflict resolution, or related area is required.

Experience in managing or leading a small team is required.

A minimum of one year's working experience in a special political or peacekeeping mission, or any other related international organization, in a conflict/post-conflict context or complex setting is required.

A minimum of one year's working experience drafting analytical reports and documents on sensitive and high-profile matters and providing reporting and analysis to a variety of audiences is desirable.

Experience in Latin America political, socio-economic issues is desirable.

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

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

Special Notice These posts are funded for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

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

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.

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

The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 28 February 2021, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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.