Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Mazar-i-Sharif. The Political Affairs Assistant reports to Team Leader of Political Affairs Unit, Mazar Field Office.

Responsibilities

The Political Affairs Assistant usually reports to the Political Affairs Officer and is responsible for the following duties: – Receives and processes information contained in communications and publications from different sources, including the press; maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues in a specified area or subject matter. – Assists senior officers with preparing drafts, briefing notes, background papers and talking points. – Assists in preparing summaries of articles from a wide variety of sources and drafts a variety of correspondence, and section reports. – Monitors political, socio-economic, and other politically relevant developments in an assigned area. – Assists in providing input for political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programmes. – Updates information in the databases that track project progress and provides other information relevant to the assigned area. – Keeps abreast of UN policies, including those related to Political Affairs work and takes part in Political Affairs trainings. – Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. – Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. – Interprets from English into Dari and vice-versa during meetings; Translate documents from English into Dari and vice-versa. – 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required. University degree in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, humanities, economic, business administration, humanities and education is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

• Experience in outreach with Afghan interlocutors is required.
• Experience with political analysis, reporting as well as with political/security database entry tasks is desirable.
• Experience in the facilitation and organization of political outreach events is desirable.
• Work experience in the Northern Region, is desirable With High School Certificate a minimum of five (5) years and with a first-level university degree or higher in Political Science, international relations, public administration, management a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Languages 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). 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 II Desirable Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking Pashto UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I 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 until [specific date]. 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. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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. United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount…