Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in Buenaventura and El Bordo, in Cauca Department, and in Miravalle, in Caquetá Department, within the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC). The Liaison Officers will be based in a Sub-Regional Office and will report to the Head of the Regional Office. Although working in close coordination with the respective Head of Regional Office, the P3 Liaison Officer will often be in remote locations without immediate day-to-day supervision. The locations are in both family and non-family or hardship duty stations duty stations. The Liaison Officer may be housed in camp environments and in austere living conditions.

The P3 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), and representatives of the local communities leading and supporting the local team 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 related to 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.

- Participates as a team member on a team which could deal with a variety of political issues in the assigned area of responsibility. Attends meetings to identify the scope of the project, considers methodologies, and participates in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for the team. Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. As required, represents the team 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.

- Supervises the work of UNV Liaison Officers and international observes within the local team site.

- Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:

- 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, 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. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation, or coordination is desirable.

In the absence of an assigned driver and given the fact that teams in local sites are small, a driving license is required for the positions advertised.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, political affairs, international relations, law, mediation, conflict resolution, or related area is required. Experience in Latin America issues is required. Specific knowledge of the Colombia peace process is desirable. A minimum of one year’s working experience in a special political or peacekeeping mission, or any other related international organization, in a conflict/post-conflict context is desirable. A minimum of one year’s working experience providing reporting and analysis to a variety of audiences is desirable. Experience managing small work-related teams is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in Spanish (both oral and written) is required; working knowledge of English (both oral and written) is also required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This "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.