Job Description
| Organization | United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei |
| Posting Title: | LIAISON OFFICER, P3 (Temporary Job Opening) |
| Job Code Title: | LIAISON OFFICER |
| Department/Office: | United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei |
| Duty Station: | ABYEI |
| Posting Period: | 11 August 2022 – 25 August 2022 |
| Job Opening Number: | 22-Political Affairs-UNISFA-188513-J-Abyei (M) |
| Staffing Exercise | N/A |
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Community Liaison Office of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), duty station Abyei. The Liaison Officer will report directly to the Chief, Community Liaison Office or their designate.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Participates as a member on a team which deals with a variety of political and protection issues in a region or major conflict. Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, i.e., engaging with host country stakeholders and multilateral organizations on peacekeeping, crisis management, human rights, conflict prevention and mediation. Engages with a range of Sudanese stakeholders, including local authorities, civil society, women’s groups, armed movements, native administration representatives, religious leaders and others on matters relating to the political transition and peacebuilding.
• Conducts substantive research and analysis of the human rights situation, including from a gender perspective, assesses their impact on the implementation of mission’s mandate, contribute to the mission’s early warning strategy, and makes recommendations on prevention and response actions to address the situation. Develops and maintains relations with UN Country Team colleagues, Government Representatives, Regional Intergovernmental Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, law enforcement and justice actors, academic and research institutions for discussions; prepares trend analysis and sitrep, including on community dynamics and the human rights situation, as requested; supports main stakeholders programming and institutional liaison.
• Provides technical advice and assists local authorities, including law enforcement and justice, to develop and implement training activities on human rights issues, with attention to gender perspectives.
• Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. Ensures human rights are integrated and mainstreamed in all relevant mission activities. As required, represents the team at round tables, seminars and conferences.
• Supports his/her supervisor in reporting and in the coordination of mission-wide inputs for reports to the Secretary-General and other sensitive and confidential communications to UNHQ. 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.
• Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Good knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their racial, ethnic, gender, political and socio-economic dimensions. Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and develop options to address human rights issues. Ability to analyze sensitive information and draft human rights reports. 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.
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.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing other’ 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 positions; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Education
Advanced 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 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 and/or coordination is an asset.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, political affairs, international relations, human rights, law, mediation, conflict resolution or related area is required.
Experience drafting a range of documents, reports, and analyses for senior officials is required.
Experience conducting human rights monitoring and reporting is required.
Field experience in active conflict or post-conflict situations is required.
Experience in coordination and liaising and conducting capacity building and training with partner organizations is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other 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 for a period of 364 days. 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.
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 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.
