Armed Groups and Regional Expert

GloJobs; New York (NY); Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GloJobs is seeking a Consultant for the UN Panel of Experts on Al-Shabaab. The position is home-based with travel and will run from 1 January 2027 through 31 December 2027, subject to mandate renewal and funding.

The Expert will contribute to sanctions monitoring, investigations, reporting, and recommendations, drawing on substantial field experience and strong written and interpersonal skills. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Arabic and Somali is an advantage.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field; a first-level degree with additional experience may be accepted
• Minimum of ten years' progressively responsible experience in the relevant field, including at least three years in the field
• Significant field experience in post-conflict or transitional settings
• Strong field research or investigative experience in the area of expertise
• Experience in writing high-quality reports and in complex, political environments
• Proven interpersonal skills in complex, political and structured working environments
• Understanding of sanctions regimes in UN/other settings is highly desirable
• Experience working under UN rules and working culture is desirable

Responsibilities

• Contribute to monitoring of sanctions measures and investigation of alleged sanctions violations
• Investigate potential violations related to Al-Shabaab and other security concerns
• Provide analysis of national, regional and international developments for Panel reports
• Contribute to reporting to the Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee and Security Council
• Prepare recommendations to improve implementation of sanctions resolutions
• Compile information on individuals and entities that may violate sanctions
• Prepare and deliver briefings and presentations on sanctions regime activities
• Assist in identifying capacities of States to enhance sanctions implementation
• Contribute to high-standard, evidence-based reports
• Ensure due process for States, entities and individuals during investigations
• Take on other duties as mandated by the Security Council or Al-Shabaab Committee

Skills

Analytical reasoning

Report writing

Interpersonal skills

Investigative experience

Fluency in English

Sanctions regime knowledge

Education

Master's degree

Job description

GloJobs analysis estimates · not the employer's figures

Deadline 30 Oct 2026 · 25 days left

Level & eligibility Consultant · ~10 yrs · Master's · English/Arabic

The Expert will serve with a Panel reporting to the Sanctions Committee and the Security Council. The Expert comes under the overall guidance and management of the Subsidiary Organs Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, specifically, of the Secretary of the concerned Security Council Committee and the Chief of the Branch and the Director of the Security Council Affairs Division. The work of the Panel is facilitated by a Coordinator who is also an expert on the Panel. The Panel of Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2713 (2023) ("the Panel") consists of five experts with demonstrated substantive knowledge, experience and skills in areas relevant to the implementation of the sanctions regime. The Panel acts under the direction of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2713 (2023) concerning Al-Shabaab. The Panel's mandate is established and can be renewed or terminated by the Security Council. For more information about the Panel, including its reports and other relevant materials, please see: https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/2713

Work Location

Home-based w/travel

The position is expected to become available on 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2027, subject to the renewal of the mandate and availability of funds.

Duties and Responsibilities

Substantive

• Contribute to the monitoring of sanctions measures and investigation of alleged sanctions violations as mandated by Security Council resolutions related to peace and security in Africa in his/her area of expertise;
• Investigate potential violations of the sanctions regime as they relate to armed groups, particularly the listed entity Al-Shabaab;
• Provide the Panel of Experts with an analysis of national, regional and international political developments and dynamics relevant to the mandate of the Panel for inclusion in its written products as relevant;
• Contribute to reporting on any violations of the sanctions regime through reports of the Panel of Experts to the Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee and the Security Council required under relevant Security Council resolutions, as well as any periodic briefing/reporting as requested by the Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee;
• Contribute to the preparation of recommendations by the Panel of Experts for improved implementation of the Security Council resolutions related to peace and security in Africa, based on the Panel's investigations, country visits and outreach activities;
• Compile information on individuals and entities that may engage in violations of the Al-Shabaab sanctions regime, including the charcoal ban;
• Prepare and deliver briefings and presentations on the sanctions regime and the Panel's activities;
• Assist in identifying areas where the capacities of States can be strengthened to enhance the implementation of the sanctions regime;
• Contribute to reports that adhere to a high standard of evidence and rigorous methodology;
• Provide due process to Member States, entities and individuals to respond to allegations and findings when conducting investigations;
• Take on other duties as mandated by the Security Council and/or directed by the Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee.

Organizational

• Contribute to the preparation of a programme of work of the Panel of Experts at the outset of the mandate, which will be updated regularly and which delineates individual overall investigative priorities and case-studies, the Panel's decision-making procedures and working methods, as well as its travel schedule;
• Participate in investigative missions and bilateral consultations to gather information from government authorities, private individuals and entities, civil society, regional and sub-regional organizations and United Nations field presences;
• Participate in the Committee's consultations and meetings, as requested;
• Collate and assess the information obtained, including by sharing written notes and briefs with other Panel members;
• Classify, categorize and archive the materials obtained in the course of the Panel's investigation;
• Submit to the UN Secretariat an End of Assignment Report at the end of the mandate.

Administrative

• Abide by the rules and regulations of the United Nations, as guided by the Senior Secretary of the Committee, the Chief of the Subsidiary Organs Branch and the Director of the Division, among others; and
• Draft and follow up on correspondence in his/her areas of responsibility.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in military science, political science, international relations, law, journalism or other relevant area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of ten years (including a minimum of three years of field experience) of progressively responsible experience in the relevant field is required;
• Significant field experience in post-conflict or other transitional situations is required;
• Strong field research or investigative experience in the area of expertise is required;
• Experience in writing high-quality reports is required;
• Proven interpersonal skills in complex, political and structured working environments is required;
• A demonstrated understanding of sanctions regimes in a United Nations, regional organization or Member State setting is highly desirable;
• Experience in working under the rules and regulations of the organization and the working culture and methods of the United Nations Secretariat is highly desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage; and Knowledge of Somali and/or local Somali dialects is an advantage.

Additional Information

This is a level C consultancy position as defined in the Secretariat Administrative Instruction on Consultants and Individual Contractors (ST/AI/2013/Rev.1) and OHR Guidelines for the recruitment and administration of Consultants Serving as Experts on Groups and Panels, including the Office of the Ombudsperson and the Focal Point for Delisting established by the Security Council. This position requires travel to engage with government officials and other interlocutors. All travel will be in Economy Class. Geographical diversity is a strong consideration. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

An appointment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister, including step-parents, step-children, and step-siblings of a staff member.