Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Political Affairs Section of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Jalalabad Field Office. The Associate Political Affairs Officer will report to the Team Leader, Political Affairs.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Associate Political Affairs Officer is responsible for the following duties:

• Analyze information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the media; maintains up-to-date knowledge of events related to political issues in a specified area or subject matter.
• Periodically compile and update provincial profiles covering the easter region.
• Conduct field outreach missions in all four provinces (Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan).
• Provide thematic and various analytical political reports for both Jalalabad Field Office and HQ Political Affairs Service in a timely manner.
• Assists Senior Officials by drafting briefing notes, background papers and talking points.
• Help develop strategies with focus on women CSOs and female activists and female students through empowerment and strengthen their participation in community-based activities.
• Prepare summaries of articles from a wide variety of sources and draft a variety of correspondence, and sections of reports.
• Report and support the work of the Head of Field Office and the Team Leader of Political Affairs Service in the field office as immediate supervisor and programme manager.
• Carry out any other assignment/s tasked by the HoFO and/or PAS Team Leader including representation in various meetings and briefings as assigned.
• Monitor political, socio-economic, security, and other political relevant developments in eastern region.
• Provides inputs into political, humanitarian, and economic activities and programmes of the field office in collaboration with UN Agencies through the UNRT.
• Conduct social research on critical issues affecting inclusive governance and the obstacles for participation of women in all levels of the de facto government with recommendations as a way forward.
• Creates database that track project progress and provides other information related to assigned area.
• 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) OR first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, public administration, social science, humanities, management, development or related field is required. Professional training in planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation or coordination is an asset.

Work Experience

As per approved UNAMA special measure, with a relevant first level university degree a minimum of two (2) years and with a relevant advanced university degree a minimum of one (1) year of progressively responsible professional experience in political outreach, conflict resolution, women empowerment, disarmament, security, development management or related area is required.

Experience with political-economy analysis, reporting as well as with political/security database management tasks is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English, Dari and Pashto is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

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.