Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Gender Unit of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), Bogota. The Gender Affairs Officer reports directly to the Chief of Staff (CoS) or designate.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Gender Affairs Officer P-4 will be responsible for the following duties • Supports and guides the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security and provides strategic advice and guidance to the SRSG and senior management on WPS agenda in Colombia and gender sensitive implementation of the Final Peace Agreement related to the Mission´s mandate. • Contributes to the implementation of a mission-wide action plan to translate existing mandates and policies on the promotion of gender equality in all activities of the Mission, including leading the Mission Gender Directive and Gender Parity strategy. • Supports various mission components on the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes promoting gender- sensitive approaches and combating gender- based violence, including CRSV. • Drafts, edits and provides substantive inputs for periodic reports, briefings and speeches on women, peace and security issues, including quarterly SG reports of the Mission to the Security Council, as well as reports related to UNSCRs 1325, 1820, 1612. • Develops and supports the delivery of gender training for all levels of Mission personnel. • Conducts substantive research and analysis of gender issues related to the Mission’s mandate, utilizing analytical monitoring and evaluation processes, including indicators and benchmarks, to ensure measurement of progress in gender mainstreaming and sexual violence in Mission’s activities. • Engages with relevant Government counterparts, former FARC-EP members, women´s organizations, and other key stakeholders to promote a gender sensitive implementation of the Mission’s mandate. • Collaborates with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes that have complementary mandates as appropriate for the promotion of women and girl’s rights; coordinates with other UN agencies through participating in, relevant country- level mechanisms for humanitarian or peacebuilding coordination on gender and gender-based violence, as well as with relevant national institutions and NGOs. • Represents the Mission on gender related issues when needed. • Provides inputs to planning processes, including extra-budgetary funds and reporting. • Serves as head of the Gender Unit with day-to-day supervision of staff and coordinates the Mission network of gender focal points. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the work of the United Nations, particularly in a conflict or post conflict political mission setting; expertise in the field of gender and Women’s Rights, particularly gender mainstreaming and sexual and gender-based violence. Experience in supporting the mainstreaming of gender and sexual violence perspectives, into intergovernmental processes and mechanisms; in-depth understanding of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on Women, Peace and Security; excellent drafting, monitoring and reporting skills; ability to adapt to hardship missions and remote locations. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, formulate options, draw conclusions and make effective recommendations, particularly in relation to addressing the needs of women and girls in post-conflict situations; ability to formulate policy advice, position papers and reports for the attention of senior managers. Must possess solid drafting skills. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to gender issues. Experience in project development and implementation. 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. Planning & 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. Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development studies, social studies in International Relations, Human Rights Law, Gender Studies, or in a related area. A first-level university degree in combination with (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible policy advice and programme management experience related to the promotion of gender equality is required. Proven expertise for integrating gender perspectives into mainstream policies or programmes is required. In-depth knowledge of the work of the United Nations, particularly in peacebuilding; expertise in the field of International Relations and/or Women’s Rights, International Human Rights Law is required. Thorough understanding of the concepts and practices related to gender issues, particularly gender mainstreaming and sexual and gender-based violence is required. Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda is desirable. Experience working in Latin America is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English and Spanish is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff, as per the Secretary General´s Gender Parity Strategy. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Un-represented: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. Under-represented: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Turkmenistan, United States of America 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

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. 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. 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.