ASSOCIATE LIAISON OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Verification of Reintegration and Rural Reform Office of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), in Bogotá. The Associate Liaison Officer at this level assists the Senior Political Affairs Officer in work related to the Mission's mandate for liaising with host country stakeholders and other multilateral organizations in situations of conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding matters, specifically on access to land for rural reform beneficiaries, including for reintegration purposes, rural development, and agrarian reform policies. S/he maintains regular contacts at the working level with various offices of the Government of Colombia, Mission headquarters and field offices, civil society organizations, and UN agencies. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Associate Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Gathers, selects and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press on the topics of interest. • Maintains up-to-date knowledge of political events related to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the implementation of the comprehensive rural reform and the reintegration process, ensuring a gender focus. • Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on access to land, rural reform and reintegration issues to senior officials and colleagues in the field mission as and when required. • Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to the relevant UNVMC components or UN agencies active on the ground on access to land, rural reform and reintegration issues. • Promotes strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders and maintains contacts with other parts of the UN, including the UNCT, as well as other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters. • Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, government and non-governmental organizations. • Participates in fact-finding and other missions within assigned areas/regions of responsibility. • Prepares meetings of the Head of Office/ Senior Management with officials from the host country. • Ensures that all UNVMC policies are applied and followed thoroughly across all processes, including adherence to UNVMC code of conduct and ethics, and integrates a gender-sensitive approach in all functions. • Performs other related duties as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: 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. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, Management or Rural Development, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with a combination of two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationProfessional training in the areas of land issues, rural development, and conflict prevention is desirable. Work ExperienceA 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 monitoring rural reform in a complex field location is desirable. Experience working in support of the Colombia peace agreement is desirable. Experience working on the reintegration process of former combatants is desirable. Experience in data collection and analysis is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Spanish is required. 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).