POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Cali Regional Office of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC). The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2545 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNVMC, which is to work with Colombia to further extend the mandate of the basis of the 2016 peace agreement between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia People’s Army (FARC-EP). Under Resolution 2574 (2021), the Mission has taken on the additional task of verifying compliance with and the implementation of the sentences issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace to individuals who tell the truth and acknowledge responsibility for crimes committed during the 50-year long conflict between the Government and the FARC-EP. The incumbent will be based in Cali, Valle de Cauca, and will monitor and verify the compliance with the restorative sentence as well as their implementation at the regional level, visiting locations where individuals are serving restorative sentences, and supporting the Head of Regional Office to implement the UNVMC mandate at large. The Political Affairs Officer reports to the Head of Regional Office, Cali. ResponsibilitiesUnder the direct supervision of the Head of Office, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following: • Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the implementation of restorative sentences issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. • Monitors actions taken by government institutions to provide the conditions for the implementation of the restorative sentences and monitors and assesses the compliance with and progress in the implementation of the restorative sentences by those individuals sanctioned with restorative sentences in accordance with the Peace Agreement. • Maintains contact with the individuals serving restorative sentences, lawyers, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace’s staff in the area of assignment, Government and other local authorities, and facilitates dialogue to seek solutions to possible issues affecting the implementation of restorative sentences. Liaises with victims and affected communities, including women, youth, and ethnic communities that are to be the beneficiaries of reparations. • Supports an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit; cooperates with counterparts to develop strategies to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives on the verification of the implementation of the restorative sentences and ensures coordination and complementarity with the United Nations Country Team. • Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Senior Political Affairs Officer, Head of the Mission and other senior staff. Keep abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment (Valle del Cauca and Eje Cafetero Departments) and provide inputs on issues related to the implementation of the restorative sentences, and on the Colombian Peace process at large, to senior officials and colleagues in the Mission. As requested, provides guidance and advice on assigned issues to the Head of Office. Develops and maintains relations with government officials at the working levels and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. • Participates as a team member on a team which could deal with a variety of political issues in a region and or country or major conflict. • Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. Represents the team at round tables, seminars and conferences. • Supports his/her supervisor in the formulation of the programme of work, budget and medium-term plans of the unit by participating in meetings and compiling or researching issues related to the mission. • Supervises UN Volunteers and National Officers assigned to the sentences verification’s team, developing guidelines, managing work plans, adjusting the team's time frames, and taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Performs other related duties as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: 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. 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. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management or Development, or a related field. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationA valid driver's license is required Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Previous experience in transitional justice and reconciliation processes in a post-conflict context is required. Knowledge of Latin American context and the Colombian peace process is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in both English and Spanish (written and verbal) is required. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by an informal interview. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2025. 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. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • 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. • 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. • Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4 United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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 FeeTHE 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.