Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Kabul, in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Political Affairs Officer/Liaison Officer will report to the Special Assistant of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Development/Resident Coordinator/ Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG-D/RC/HC).

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer/Liaison Officer is responsible for performing the following: • Stakeholder engagement: Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including de facto authorities, community leaders, and other relevant organizations, facilitate dialogue and collaboration between different stakeholders and when requested represent the organization in meetings, workshops, and public forums. Facilitate connections and exchanges between the national stakeholders and international organizations, experts, and forums. Use these networks to gain insights, increase credibility, and create new engagement opportunities. • Policy analysis and advocacy: In collaboration with the UN agencies, analyze existing public policies to identify areas needing reform, advocate for policy changes and stay informed about legislative and regulatory developments. Develop and implement strategies for influencing public policy and coordinate with other departments or teams within the organization to ensure alignment of objectives and approaches. Identify opportunities for the organization to contribute to policy discussions and reforms. • Research and reporting: Conduct research on policy issues, best practices, and innovative approaches to public governance and reforms. Prepare reports, briefs, and position papers on policy issues and monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and reforms on the organization’s field of interest. • Collaboration and partnership development: Identify and develop partnerships with NGOs, academic institutions, and other organizations working in similar areas. Collaborate on joint initiatives and projects that further the goals of policy reform.

Competencies

Professionalism: Takes initiative and consistently drives for high quality performance for self and colleagues. Strong inter-personal effectively with colleagues and contacts in skills, including the ability to manage multi-stake holder processes. Values diversity and works the immediate and wider teams in pursuit of objectives. Anticipates and manages risk. Demonstrates: – Ability to identify, prioritize, and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders. Skills in building and maintaining relationships, networking, and facilitation. Proven ability to identify partnership opportunities and develop collaborations with NGOs, academic institutions, and other relevant entities. Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders, including de facto authorities, community leaders, and international experts. Diplomatic skills, including tact and discretion in complex or sensitive situations. – Strong understanding of public policy processes, including policy analysis, development, and implementation. Experience in advocating for policy changes and navigating legislative and regulatory environments. Competency in conducting thorough research and analysis on complex policy issues. Ability to synthesize information and present findings clearly in reports, briefs, and position papers. – Familiarity with international organizations, their functioning, and global policy frameworks. Involvement in the drafting and implementation of cooperation frameworks, national development plans or similar strategic documents 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. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in their work 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. Planning & 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, Public Policy, Management or Development, or a related field.

Job – Specific Qualification

Relevant training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is desirable.

Work Experience

As per approved UNAMA special measure, with a relevant first level university degree a minimum of seven (7) years and, with a relevant advanced university degree a minimum of five (5) years of progressively relevant professional experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience working at the mid-management or director-level in public institutions is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2024. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary 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 temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary 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 temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary 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 temporary 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. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. 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.

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. 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 carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.