Political Affairs Officer

This position is found in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), in the city of Cúcuta (Norte de Santander department). The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2545 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNVMC, which is to work with Colombia to further extend the mandate on the basis of the 2016 peace agreement between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia People’s Army (FARC-EP). Under Resolution 2574 (2021), the Mission has taken on the additional task of verifying compliance with, and the implementation of, the sentences issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace to individuals who told the truth and acknowledged their responsibility for crimes committed during the 50-year long conflict between the Government and the FARC-EP. The Political Affairs Officer is based in the regional office and will be part of the regional sentences verification team, visiting locations where individuals are serving restorative sentences, working alongside civilian colleagues and international observers, and supporting the Head of Regional Office to implement the UNVMC mandate at large. The Political Affairs Officer reports to the Head of Regional Office.

**Responsibilities**:
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the implementation of restorative sentences issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
- Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues related to the implementation of the restorative sentences, and on the Colombian Peace process at large, to senior officials and colleagues in the Mission.
- Monitors national and regional level political developments, in particular those related to the implementation of the restorative sentences and provides advice to the Head of Office and Mission leadership.
- Provides technical and substantive back up in the implementation of the Mission mandate.
- Maintains contact with the individuals serving restorative sentences, with the Special Jurisdiction for Peace staff in the area of assignment, Government and other local authorities, and facilitates dialogue to seek solutions to possible issues affecting the implementation of restorative sentences.
- Monitors actions taken by government institutions to provide the conditions for the implementation of the restorative sentences, in accordance with the Peace Agreement.
- Selects, classifies and stores in computerized databases information relating to potential disputes and conflicts involving assigned region.
- Participates in fact-finding and other missions within assigned area of responsibility, to monitor and assess the compliance with and progress in the implementation of the restorative sentences by those individuals sanctioned with restorative sentences and supports coordinating inputs reports and other politically sensitive and confidential communications to the Mission's headquarters.
- Liaises with victims and affected communities, including women, youth, and ethnic communities that are to be the beneficiaries of reparations.
- Assists and participates in dissemination efforts about the Mission’s mandate.
- Cooperates with counterparts to develop strategies to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives on the verification of the implementation of the restorative sentences and ensures coordination and complementarity with the United Nations Country Team, which follows and provides other kinds of support and assistance for the transitional justice process in Colombia.
- Supervises UN Volunteers and National Officers assigned to the sentences verification’s team, developing guidelines, managing work plans, adjusting the team's time frames, and taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
- Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies
- 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 equivale