Political Reporting Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNAMA was established in 2002 as a Political/ Peacebuilding Mission, exceptionally) directed and supported by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). Unanimously adopting resolution 2596 (2021), the 15-member Council decided to extend the Mission’s mandate until 17 March 2022. UNAMA’s current mandate comprises the following priorities: the provision of good offices; support for the organization of future elections; strengthening capacity in the protection and promotion of human rights including the protection of children affected by armed conflict and prevention of child recruitment; support for gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment; the coordination and facilitation of humanitarian assistance; and support for Afghanistan’s development and governance priorities, including the rule of law, transitional justice as an essential component of the ongoing peace process, budget execution and the fight against corruption throughout the country; The Security Council also recognized that the renewed mandate of UNAMA is in support of Afghanistan’s full assumption of leadership and ownership in the security, governance and development areas, consistent with the Transformation Decade (2015– 2024) and with the understandings reached between Afghanistan and the international community in the international conferences in Kabul (2010), London (2010 and 2014), Bonn (2011), Tokyo (2012), and Brussels (2016), and the NATO Summits held in Lisbon (2010), Chicago (2012), Wales (2014), Warsaw (2016) and Brussels (2017), Kabul (2018) and Geneva (2018 & 2020). The United Nations has been involved in the region since 1946 when Afghanistan joined the United Nations as a member state of the Organization.

Under the direct supervision and in support of the Political Affairs Officer/Team Leader and the Head of Field Office, the Associate Political Affairs Officer will undertake the following tasks:

• Maintain situational awareness and analysis of the political, security (including conflict), economic and governance situation in the area of responsibility, including emerging key political and security developments, trends, and dynamics;

• Establish and expand contact with de facto authorities, and maintain engagement with civil society, political actors, UN agency and international partners in the area of responsibility on mandate-related issues, including through remote outreach.

• Gather, select and analyze the information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the media;

• Provide inputs to/compile daily situation reports and other regular reports, as required;

• Maintain and update information management tasks/a database information of the Political Affairs Unit (PAU) in the Gardez field office.

• Draft meeting notes, briefing notes, talking points and other documents in support of or related to meetings of the PAU or Head of Field Office.

• Support the development and implementation of local peace, social cohesion and conflict prevention/resolution initiatives, including preparatory outreach and engagement with internal and external partners. Encourage and facilitate relationship/consensus-building between interlocutors and de facto authorities and communities/other stakeholders, to enhance the sub-national governance as well as the inclusion of vulnerable/marginalized groups.

• Support enhanced inter-agency coordination through Secretariat support to the UN Regional Team.

• Act as the Officer-in-Charge of the Political Team in Gardez, when requested.

• Perform other related duties as required •

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Planning and Organizing Professionalism Working in Teams Managing performance

Previous related professional experience in international affairs, development, security diplomacy, administration or foreign relations

Technological awareness: Good computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software, e.g. PowerPoint. Excellent drafting, writing and oral presentations skills in English; Ability to research and analyse information and summarize issues; Ability to identify problems and patterns as presented in the media and in reports; Excellent analytical, research and negotiating skills; Ability to develop contacts and foster collaboration with partners in order to acquire timely information on current initiatives and studies pertinent to assigned area, managing performance.

Experience of drafting political documents and reports is required.

Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in UNAMA are similar to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members.

UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in an extensive compound in Kabul with good infrastructure and amenities.

Generally speaking, stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UN volunteers as other UN staff, are quite limited to duty stations when it comes to movement. Walking is virtually not allowed. The movement is done inside the “green zone” (only) in armored vehicles driven by national qualified UN drivers. The single unit accommodation in UNOCA and other field locations is fully furnished; this includes, furniture, washing machine dryer, hot plate, iron and iron stand, microwave, plates, cups, spoons, cooking utensils, electric kettle. One bedsheet and pillow cover are provided. The monthly charge for UN-provided accommodation is USD 300 which is deducted from the monthly Volunteer Living Allowance. Inside the UNOCA compound are two cafeterias, a restaurant, a Supermarket, and 3 small shops which provide a variety of imported canned and frozen food on offer.

There is a Fresh vegetable market daily. There is also a social center, a gym hall, and a small library with books and DVDs, run by the welfare Office, within the same compound. UNOCA has a new minimarket where basic goods can be bought also. There are also a number of UN-cleared supermarkets in Kabul, in Jalalabad, and in Mazar-I-Sharif.

The Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own towel and other personal accessories including toiletries and medicines which they may not find easily within the supermarkets inside the UNOCA Compound. Some degree of medical service is provided in all UNAMA duty stations. There is a UN clinic in UNAMA/UNOCA complex and access is granted in Kabul to other private international clinics (when and if needed). Contact with and outreach to the local community is usually limited.

As mentioned, many places are off-limits and the choice of recreational facilities is very poor. For all these reasons, bringing a stock of books, DVDs/VCDs, computer games, etc., is highly recommended.

Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry but winter is the opposite – cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing and comfortable boots with insulation are necessary. Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique UN mission. It requires more stamina, commitment, and flexibility than elsewhere to make life comfortable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort are essential.