Posting Title: LIAISON OFFICER, P3
Job Code Title: LIAISON OFFICER
Department/Office: United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia
Duty Station: Santander Quilichao
Posting Period: 03 March 2023 – 17 March 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Political Affairs-UNVMC-203366-F- (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is based in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), in Santander de Quilichao (Cauca). The Liaison Officer will report to the Head of the Regional Office in Popayán. The Liaison Officer will work alongside civilian colleagues and international observers, interacting with Government officials, former members of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo (FARC), victims of the conflict and representatives of the local communities to support the Regional Office in the implementation of verification, reporting, and liaison activities.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following duties: – Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the office i.e., engaging with municipal and departmental authorities, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, community groups, ethnic communities and religious organizations, in the context of the Mission´s verification mandate. – Prepares briefing notes and talking points for Head of the Regional Office in Popayán related to the Mission’s mandate. As requested, provides information on assigned issues regarding the Colombia Peace process and Final Peace Agreement, cooperates and collaborates with counterparts to develop strategies to address peace challenges as per Mission’s mandate objectives. – Develops and maintains relations with UN Country Team colleagues, Government Representatives, Regional Intergovernmental Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, law enforcement actors, academic and research institutions for discussions to reach consensus and make decisions; prepares trend analysis monthly and Sitrep as requested; supports main stakeholders programming and institutional liaison. – Attends meetings, considers methodologies, and participates in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for the regional office. Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. As required, represents the Head of Office at round tables, seminars, and conferences. – Supports his/her supervisor in the coordination of inputs for reports and other sensitive and confidential communications to the Mission’s headquarters. Provides assistance and support to other substantive sections of the mission to have a consensual approach to the Mission environment, mandate and operations among Mission actors, and relevant national and international stakeholders. – Ensures compliance with policies related to conduct and discipline and an enabling working environment for non-discrimination and gender parity across all functions. – 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. 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. 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; Builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, law or a related field. A first level university degree with a combination of two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job – Specific QualificationA valid driving license is required. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation, or coordination is desirable.
Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, political affairs, international relations, law, mediation, conflict resolution, or related area is required. Experience in managing or leading a small team is required. A minimum of one (1) year’s working experience in a special political or peacekeeping mission, or any other related international organization, in a conflict/post-conflict context or complex setting is required. A minimum of one (1) year’s working experience drafting analytical reports and documents on sensitive and high-profile matters and providing reporting and analysis to a variety of audiences is desirable. Experience in Latin America political, socio-economic issues is required, whether in situ or from abroad.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For these positions, fluency in English and Spanish (both oral and written) is required.
Special NoticeThis “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in its staff, as per the Secretary General´s Gender Parity Strategy. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. #United_for_Gender_Parity 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 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 background, or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
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. 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 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.