Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Jalalabad Field Office. The Associate Political Affairs Officer reports to the Political Team Leader and Head of Field Office.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Associate Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Monitor political, socio-economic, security, and other political relevant developments in the Eastern region (Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces). • Establish & maintain a network of key interlocutors in specified areas related to UNAMA’s mandate, as tasked and prioritized by PAS Team Leader. • Analyze information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the media; maintain up-to-date knowledge of events related to political issues in a specified area or subject matter. • Periodically compile and update provincial profiles covering the Eastern region. • Conduct field outreach missions in all four provinces (Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan) engaging with de facto authorities and communities around UNAMA mandate priorities. • Provide thematic and various analytical political reports for both Jalalabad Field Office and HQ Political Affairs Service in a timely manner. • Assist Senior UNAMA Officials by drafting briefing notes, background papers and talking points. • Help develop outreach and engagement strategies with focus on women CSOs and female activists and female students to empower and strengthen their participation in community-based activities. • Help develop outreach and engagement strategies with focus on women CSOs and female activists and female students to empower and strengthen their participation in community-based activities. • Prepare summaries of articles from a wide variety of sources and draft a variety of correspondence, and sections of reports. • Report and support the work of the Head of Field Office (HoFO) and the Team Leader of Political Affairs Service (PAS) in the field office as immediate supervisor and programme manager. • Carry out any other assignment/s tasked by the HoFO and/or PAS Team Leader including representation in various meetings and briefings as assigned. • Provide inputs into political, humanitarian, and economic activities and programmes of the field office in collaboration with UN Agencies through the UNRT. • Conduct social research on critical issues affecting community relations with the de facto authorities with recommendations as a way forward. • Contributes to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driver planning, decision making, presentation and reporting. • Documents requirements and background information used for data analysis. • Performs other related duties as required

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. 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. 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. 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) OR first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, Management or Development, or a related field. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is an asset.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

With relevant bachelors degree a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, business/public administration, public policy, public management, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. With relevant masters degree or higher as per approved special measure a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, business/public administration, public policy, public management, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience with political economy analysis and reporting, political/security database management tasks, and training on SAGE, Power BI, or a similar platform is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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. 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. • This position is temporary. 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. 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.