UNDP Jobs - 48213- Liaison Specialist with ASEAN [Political Affairs O

Liaison Specialist with ASEAN [Political Affairs Officer]

Location :

Jakarta, INDONESIA

Type of Contract :

TA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

30-Jul-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Organizational Context

In the recent past, the UN-ASEAN partnership has been strengthened considerably, particularly following the adoption at the 4th ASEAN-UN Summit in Bali in November 2011 of the “Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations”. In 2013, the two Organisations conducted the first review of the implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership in 2012-2013.

As a result of the review, the two Organisations agreed on the need to enhance the liaison functions with each other. In this connection, it was acknowledged that the presence of a UN Liaison Officer with ASEAN in Jakarta would further strengthen the UN-ASEAN partnership. The Liaison Officer proposal was discussed at the ASEAN-UN Secretariat-to-Secretariat (S2S) Dialogue, the ASEAN-UN Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and the ASEAN-UN Ministerial Meeting (AUMM) in September 2013, where strong support and endorsement of the ASEAN Member States and Secretariat were expressed.

Following these discussions, at the 5th ASEAN-UN Summit in Brunei Darussalam on 10 October 2013, the Sultan of Brunei, as the ASEAN Chair, stated that ASEAN welcomed the UN plan to establish a regional office in Jakarta to further strengthen dialogue and coordination. In response, the UN Secretary-General announced that the UN would indeed establish such a presence in 2014.

Under the daily guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, the Liaison Officer will report to the Chief, Asia and the Pacific Division, Department of Political Affairs (DPA).

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Establish a close working relationship with ASEAN Member States, including through engaging with the ASEAN Committee of the Permanent Representatives (CPR) mechanism at the working level.

Specific activities may include:

Assisting in the preparations for, and playing a key role in organising ASEAN-UN collaborative activities, including workshops, regular regional dialogues and trainings, in the Political-Security Cooperation pillar;
Ensuring information flow between ASEAN and the UN;
Establish a close working relationship with the ASEAN Secretariat, especially the ASEAN Political-Security Community Department, and lead the preparations for organising regular Secretariat-to-Secretariat (S2S) dialogues in close coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat.

Specific activities may include:

Assisting in the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership, in particular in the Political-Security Cooperation pillar, and coordinating the work on the joint reports on the implementation by the two Secretariats;
Establish a close working relationship with ASEAN Dialogue Partners and other key players;
Facilitate the engagement with key ASEAN institutions and actors, including the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), in further identifying areas for more concrete and tangible partnership and cooperation;

Facilitate DPA engagement with relevant ASEAN structures and mechanisms, in particular with the Secretariat and CPR. Specific activities may include:

Providing regular reporting, analysis and advice to DPA as relevant on areas of peace and security under the ASEAN–UN Comprehensive Partnership;
Liaising closely with the DPA Regional Partnership Officer based in Bangkok on all matters relating to the ASEAN-UN partnership;
Keeping UNHQ abreast of policy, operational and structural developments within the ASEAN;
Assisting in organizing DPA officials’ visits to Jakarta;
Recommending to DPA joint projects with ASEAN and engage in fund-raising activities;
Traveling within the region on DPA assignments;
Performing other functions as tasked by DPA.

Impact of Results

As a result of the Liaison Officer’s work, the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership will be further developed; the communication between the UN and ASEAN Member States and Secretariat will be further improved; the UN’s understanding of ASEAN goals and priorities, particularly concerning Pillar 1 (Political-Security Cooperation) will be enhanced; and the UN’s collaboration with the AIPR will be deepened.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Demonstrates and promotes the values of the UN in actions and decisions and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants;
Shows willingness to work without bias with all persons regardless of gender, nationality, religion or culture.

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism:

Sound knowledge of the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership and its implementation; deep understanding of political and security issues in Southeast Asia;
Demonstrated ability to engage with various stakeholders in the ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Dialogue Partners and other key players;
Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely;
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.

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.

Communication:

Good drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written;
Ability to defend and explain difficult issues to staff, senior officials, government officials and members of intergovernmental bodies and regional organizations;
Ability to communicate complex concepts concisely;
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:

Good interpersonal skills;
Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field;
A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience of 9 years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in political/diplomatic work at national, regional and international levels;
Experience in political analysis related to peace and security in Southeast Asia and the ASEAN-UN partnership, and engagement in the region is required;
Knowledge of and work experience related to ASEAN, as well as field experience in the region are an asset.

Language:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat;
For the advertised post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;
Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Note:

Applicant must Complete P11 form and submit as part of their application. Click here to down load the form P-11

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply . All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP Indonesia reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Indonesia at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.