Mission and objectives

UNAMA was established in 2002 as a Political/ Peacebuilding Mission, exceptionally) directed and supported by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

Context

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 7% 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 building of female national candidates: Pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 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 for 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 NUNV.

Task Description

Under the overall and direct supervision of an international Political Affairs Officer in each region, the NUNV Political Affairs Officer will be provided with on-the-job training in order to support the Political Affairs in areas of: – Gathering, selecting and analyzing 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; – Supporting the monitoring of national, provincial and district level political developments and keep abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment in accordance with the priorities established by the mission; – Assisting in maintaining up to date knowledge of events relating to political issues in general, and in particular areas of responsibility as well as thematic mandates; – Assisting 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; – Assisting in the maintaining contacts with regional/local civil and 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; Supporting 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; – Providing support to visiting teams/missions as required; – Participating in periodic field missions in order to update the overall political situation; – Providing administrative and logistical support to officers in the Political Affairs Division; including arrangements for meetings, preparing documents etc. – Supporting field trips including preparation of road mission requests and arrange for security clearances – Creating and maintaining administrative files and official records including records of incoming and outgoing correspondence

Competencies and values

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

Living conditions and remarks

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included) and final repatriation (if applicable). Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided on a monthly basis.