Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Political Affairs Officer will be based in Mazar-e Sharif. The incumbent reports to the Political Team leader and Head of Field Office.

Mazar-e Sharif is classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station.

Responsibilities

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

Political Analysis and Advice
– Identify, analyze and monitor political developments, trends and emerging issues in the Northern region assigned, according to UNAMA’s mandate; Undertake research on key issues and developments in the area of responsibility.
– Assess implications and make recommendations to the Head of Field Office on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives.

Reporting and Information Management
– Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, code cables and input for the reports of the Field Office to UNAMA Headquarters or other bodies.
– Prepare contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio; Manage information to ensure its accessibility and utility
Planning, Coordination and Facilitation
-Participate fully in assigned operational activities related to the political work of the Field Office.
-Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, the de facto authorities, civil society actors, community representatives, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners on UNAMA mandated activities, information-sharing, policy and coordination matters.
-Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and plans of action to address political challenges, in pursuit of shared objectives; Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation of UNAMA’s mandate.
-Support preparations for official meetings, events and visits, including through drafting agendas, talking points and background papers; Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate.

Management/Administration
-Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the unit’s programme of work.
-Support planning and budgetary processes for current and future political outreach activities as required; Coach, mentor and evaluate staff.

Perform 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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, social sciences, law, public administration, development, political economy or related field. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is an asset.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution, or related field is required.

Experience in political outreach, local peace initiatives including management of related budget, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is desirable.

Experience of working in a conflict or post-conflict country is desirable.

Experience in engaging with state and non-state armed groups is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a language spoken in Afghanistan and /or the region is desirable.
Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not
be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2023. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a assignment.

• While this assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.

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.