LIAISON OFFICER – UNITAMS

Job Description

Department/Office:	United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan
Posting Title:	LIAISON OFFICER, P3
Job Code Title:	LIAISON OFFICER
Duty Station:	PORT SUDAN
Posting Period:	25 November 2021 – 09 December 2021
Job Opening Number:	21-Political Affairs-UNITAMS-169249-F-Port Sudan (M)
Staffing Exercise	N/A

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).

The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2524 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNITAMS which is to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; support peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Blue Nile and South Kordofan (the Two Areas) and Darfur; and support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.

This position is based in the Kassala Regional Office/Port Sudan Liaison Office. The classification of the duty station is “C” and is a non family duty station.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Liaison Officer is responsible for performing the following:

•Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the office or missions i.e., Represent UNITAMS and engage with host country local authorities, stakeholders, civil society organisations, community groups, non-governmental and multilateral organizations on political transition, crisis management, conflict prevention and mediation, in the context of the Mission’s mandate.
•Reviews, analyzes, and monitors on relevant developments in the country and the assigned area of responsibility as they relate to the work and mandate of the Mission; assess trends which might have an impact on Mission activities; recommend possible action to the Mission leadership.
•Prepares briefing notes, analytical reports and papers on matters of concern to the Mission; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for the senior staff and mission leadership related to mission’s mandate. As requested, provides information on assigned issues, 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 a region and or country or major conflict. 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 new 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 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 related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult 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.

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.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

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.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, political affairs, international relations; law, mediation, conflict resolution or related area

Experience in working in countries in political transition is desirable.

Experience working in Africa or the Middle East is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required; knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

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.

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.