Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), duty station, Kabul. Kabul is classified as an “E” non-family duty station. The incumbent will report to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Political (Political Pillar).

UNAMA is a political mission that provides political good offices in Afghanistan; works with and supports the government; supports the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation. Learn more about the mandate of the mission at https://unama.unmissions.org/

Responsibilities

The Principal Political Affairs Officer (Reconciliation) supports the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s (SRSG) efforts through the DSRSG to promote Afghan reconciliation through the use of good offices and as provided by UNAMA’s mandate.

Under the direct supervision of the SRSG through the DSRSG, the Principal Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties:

Political Analysis and Advice – Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to the Afghan peace process; Assess implications and make recommendations to the mission leadership on possible strategies, policies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives.

Policy and Strategy Development – Identify issues critical to advancing the peace process, including those related to rule of law and constitutional development, security sector reform, disarmament/demobilization/reintegration, human rights, political reform and mediation and conflict resolution; In close cooperation with Mission components prepare policy papers for discussion within the Mission and with external partners, including the conflict parties.

Planning, Coordination and Facilitation – Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the authorities, political and community leaders, civil society actors, the UN family and other national and international partners on policy matters related to the peace process;
Ensure the integrated and coherent approach of the Mission across all components in line with the priorities established by the SRSG in relation to reconciliation.

Reporting and Information Management – Ensure regular, timely and high quality reporting to the Mission leadership on developments and issues pertaining to the peace process; Manage the preparation of summary and analytical reports, including situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file and code cables; Prepare/review input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council; Oversee the preparation of contextual information materials, such as background notes and political profiles.

Management – Participate in the formulationand implementation of the Mission’s programme of work, determining priorities and activities that are in accordance with mandated reconciliation actitivities; Oversee relevant administrative tasks for the reconciliation process, including preparation of budgets, assignment and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget, preparation of inputs for the results-based budgeting process (RBB); Supervise, mentor, and evaluate appropriate staff; Participate in the selection of new staff.

Perform other relevant duties requested by the DSRSG-Political.

Competencies

Professionalism – Has ability to identify and analyze the underlying causes of instability (e.g. political, ethnic, sectarian, social, economic) and to provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior officials; Demonstrates sound knowledge of the UN system and understands the roles of substantive components within the Mission; 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 and calm 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 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.

Judgement/Decision-making – Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Building Trust – Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; Manages in a deliberate and predictable way; Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; Gives proper credit to others; Follows through on agreed upon actions; Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field is required.
Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis and reporting is required.
A proven track record of leadership and management in multicultural settings, including coordination of interdisciplinary teams, is required.
Experience working in Afghanistan or the immediate region is required.
Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization- in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. Knowledge of Dari or 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 30 April 2020. 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.

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.

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.