POLITICAL AFFAIRS 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 147,402 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 found in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC). The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2545 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNVMC, which is to work with Colombia to further extend the mandate of the basis of the 2016 peace agreement between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia People’s Army (FARC-EP). Under Resolution 2574 (2021), the Mission has taken on the additional task of verifying compliance with and the implementation of the sentences issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace to individuals who told the truth and acknowledge responsibility for crimes committed during the 50-year long conflict between the Government and the FARC-EP. The Political Affairs Officers are based in the regional offices and will be part of a regional sentences verification's team, visiting locations where individuals are serving restorative sentences, working alongside civilian colleagues and international observers, and supporting the Head of Regional Offices to implement the UNVMC mandate at large. The Political Affairs Officers report to the Head of Regional Office.

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

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the implementation of restorative sentences issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
• Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues related to the implementation of the restorative sentences, and on the Colombian Peace process at large, to senior officials and colleagues in the Mission.
• Monitors national and regional level political developments, in particular those related to the implementation of the restorative sentences and provides advice to the Head of Office and Mission leadership.
• Provides technical and substantive back up in the implementation of the Mission mandate.
• Maintains contact with the individuals serving restorative sentences, with the Special Jurisdiction for Peace staff in the area of assignment, Government and other local authorities, and facilitates dialogue to seek solutions to possible issues affecting the implementation of restorative sentences.
• Monitors actions taken by government institutions to provide the conditions for the implementation of the restorative sentences, in accordance with the Peace Agreement.
• Selects, classifies and stores in computerized databases information relating to potential disputes and conflicts involving assigned region.
• Participates in fact-finding and other missions within assigned area of responsibility, to monitor and assess the compliance with and progress in the implementation of the restorative sentences by those individuals sanctioned with restorative sentences and supports coordinating inputs reports and other politically sensitive and confidential communications to the Mission's headquarters.
• Liaises with victims and affected communities, including women, youth, and ethnic communities that are to be the beneficiaries of reparations.
• Assists and participates in dissemination efforts about the Mission’s mandate.
• Cooperates with counterparts to develop strategies to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives on the verification of the implementation of the restorative sentences and ensures coordination and complementarity with the United Nations Country Team, which follows and provides other kinds of support and assistance for the transitional justice process in Colombia.
• Supervises UN Volunteers and National Officers assigned to the sentences verification’s team, developing guidelines, managing work plans, adjusting the team's time frames, and taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• 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 political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related field. A first level university degree with a combination of two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  Job - Specific Qualification A valid driving license is required.

  Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, political affairs, international relations, law, mediation, conflict resolution, or related area is required.

  A minimum of one (1) year's working experience providing reporting and analysis to a variety of audiences is desirable.

  A minimum of one (1) year's working experience in a special political or peacekeeping mission, or any other related international organization, in a conflict/post-conflict context, is desirable.

  Experience in working in processes of transitional justice systems in post-conflict contexts is desirable.

  Experience managing small work-related teams is desirable.

  Experience in Latin American issues is desirable.

  Specific knowledge of the Colombia peace process is desirable.

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

  Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an informal interview.

  Special Notice This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

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.