ASSOCIATE POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Associate Political Affairs Officer reports to the Political Affairs Team Leader of the Domestic Politics Portfolio.

Within delegated authority, the Associate Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Gathers, selects and analyses information on relevant, political, socio-economic and security developments from different sources. • Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general and in particular, as they affect the local political dynamics and mandate implementation. • Keeps abreast of the latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues to the Political Affairs Team Leader and senior officials; • Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to the Political Affairs Team Leader and senior officials; • Interacts regularly with the de facto authorities, elders, community leaders and members, civil society, women, youth and the business community to advance UNAMA’s engagement. • Drafts inputs, reports, briefing notes and other analytical products assigned by the Political Affairs Team Leader. • Prepares meetings of the Chief of the Political Affairs Service and senior staff with Afghan interlocutors, as well as materials for briefings with diplomatic counterparts in multilateral and bilateral formats. • 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. • Prepares meeting notes as required. • When necessary provides interpretation in Dari and Pashtu. • Performs other related duties as required.

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. 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 those decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishment and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

An advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) OR first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management or Development, or a related field.

Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is desirable.

As per approved special measure, with relevant masters degree or higher a minimum of one (1) year of progressively responsible experience and with relevant first-level/bachelor's degree a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Experience in liaising with actors across the entire political spectrum including ulema, civil society, de facto authorities and diaspora, is desirable. Experience working in an international organization or a non-governmental organization is desirable. Experience in using SAGE or comparable data management system is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English

and

Dari are required. Pashto is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Dari

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level I

Desirable Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Pashto

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

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

This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2026. The position may be extendable under the rule of temporary appointments based on budgetary availability and performance.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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