National Liaison Officer

This position is located in the Verification of Security Guarantees Office of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), in Bogota. The incumbent will report to and be under the direct supervision of the Head and the Senior Liaison Officer of the Verification of Security Guarantees Office. The Liaison Officer at this level assists the Senior Liaison Officer in work related to the mission's mandate for liaising with host country stakeholders and other multilateral organizations on verification of point 3.4. chapter of the PA of security guarantees. S/he maintains regular contacts at the technical level with various offices of the Government involved and various UN agencies and NGOs.

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Liaison Officer is responsible for performing the following duties: - Provides expert advice and strategic networking with the main bodies of the High-Level Unit of the Comprehensive Security System for the Exercise of Politics to implement security guarantees policies, with focus on the National Commission on Security Guarantees to promote the public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups and criminal organization at territorial level, drafting analysis reports and recommendations. - Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the advancement of the point 3.4 and is expected to provide expert advice and support in the drafting of analysis reports and recommendations on the implementation of security guarantees including gender perspective. - As requested, provides information on assigned issues regarding the Colombia Peace process and Final Peace Agreement, cooperates and collaborates with counterparts to develop strategies to address peace challenges as per mission's mandate objectives. - Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides information on issues to senior officials and colleagues in the field mission as and when required. - Supports the design, implementation and monitoring of guidelines, verification protocols, briefing notes, thematic and situational reports, inputs to the quarterly Secretary General report and other reports, if necessary, on security guarantees. - 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 talking points for 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.

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. 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 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 decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Law 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.

A driver's license is desirable. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is desirable.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, security and justice, mediation, conflict resolution, gender or related area is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with national or international entities on public policies and mechanisms related to implementation of the Colombian Peace Agreement is desirable. Experience in the United Nations System, Government, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or an international organization is desirable. Experience in Latin America is desirable.

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

Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4

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.