Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
Armed Groups Expert
- Duty station
- 🇺🇸 New York, United States
- Country / area
- United States
- Region
- Americas
- UN system
- Peace Operation
- Level
- CON
- Category
- Affiliate Personnel – Consultants/Individual Contractors
- Title
- Armed Groups Expert
- Organization
- Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
- Work Location
- Homebased w/travel
- Expected duration
- 12 months
- Position Level
- Level C consultancy
- Start Date
- August 2026
- Posted
- 7/1/2026, 4:00:00 AM
- Closes
- 7/31/2026, 3:59:59 AM
About this role
The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs is recruiting an Armed Groups Expert to serve on the Panel of Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1591 (2005) concerning Sudan. This Level C consultancy role involves monitoring sanctions measures, investigating alleged violations, and analyzing political dynamics relevant to the mandate. The expert will contribute to high-evidentiary reports, prepare recommendations for improved implementation, and compile information on individuals and entities engaging in sanctions violations. Responsibilities include monitoring media, providing due process to accused parties, assisting in capacity building for States, and participating in fact-finding missions. The position requires significant field research and investigative experience, particularly in post-conflict or transitional situations. The expert will report to the Security Council Committee and work under the guidance of the Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch. The role demands strong interpersonal skills in complex political environments and the ability to draft high-quality reports. It is a home-based position with frequent regional and international travel. The appointment is for an initial period of 12 months starting in August 2026, subject to mandate renewal and budgetary approval. The role emphasizes geographical diversity and encourages women to apply. Candidates must demonstrate substantive knowledge of sanctions regimes and experience working within UN or regional organization frameworks.
Key requirements
- Master's degree or equivalent in relevant field
- 10+ years progressively responsible experience
- 3+ years field experience
Nice to have
- Understanding of sanctions regimes in UN/regional settings
- Experience with UN Secretariat rules and culture
- Knowledge of Arabic
Requirements at a glance
- Min. experience
- A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the relevant area, including a minimum of three years of field experience. Significant field experience in post-conflict or other transitional situations is required.
- Required degree
- An 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.
- Languages
- English
Result of Service
The Panel of Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1591 (2005) (“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’s mandate is established and can be renewed or terminated by the Security Council. The Panel acts under the direction of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan.
The Expert will serve with the Panel reporting to the Committee and the Security Council. The Expert comes under the overall guidance and management of the Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, specifically, of the Senior Secretary of the concerned Security Council Committee, 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.
For more information about the Panel, including its reports and other relevant materials, please see: https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1591/panel-of-experts/work_mandate
Work Location
Homebased w/travel
Expected duration
This position is expected to become available in August 2026 for an expected initial period of 12 months, subject to the renewal of the mandate and budgetary approval.
Duties and Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the armed groups expert will be responsible for (but not limited to) the following duties: Substantive
- Contribute to the monitoring of sanctions measures and investigation of alleged sanctions violations as mandated by Security Council resolutions related to the Sudan in his/her area of expertise;
- Contribute to reporting on any violations of the sanctions regime through reports of the Panel to the Committee and the Security Council required under relevant Security Council resolutions, as well as any periodic briefing/reporting as requested by the Committee;
- Contribute to the preparation of recommendations by the Panel for improved implementation of the Security Council resolution related to the Sudan, based on the Panel’s investigations, country visits and outreach activities;
- Contribute to the compilation of information on individuals and entities that may engage in sanctions violations;
- Provide the Panel with an analysis of national, regional and international political developments and dynamics relevant to the mandate of the Panel, and include the latter in reports, as well as other updates, as necessary;
- Contribute to investigating flows of arms and ammunition, with a focus on transfers involving armed groups;
- Monitor media, including social media, on issues and cases relevant to the mandate of the Panel;
- 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 measures imposed by the Security Council;
- Contribute to reports that adhere to high evidentiary standards and rigorous methodology;
- Provide due process to Member States, entities and individuals to respond to allegations and findings when conducting investigations; and
- Take on other duties as mandated by the Security Council and/or requested by the Committee. Organizational
- Contribute to the preparation of a programme of work of the Panel, including a travel schedule, at the outset of the mandate, which will be updated regularly;
- Participate in fact-finding missions to relevant countries in order to gather information from government authorities, private individuals and entities, civil society, regional and sub-regional organizations and United Nations field presences;
- Draft and follow up on correspondence in his/her area of responsibility;
- Collate and assess the information obtained, including by sharing written notes and briefs with other Panel members, including the Coordinator of the Panel;
- Classify, categorize and archive the materials obtained in the course of the Panel’s investigations; and
- Submit 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 Security Council Affairs Division, among others.
Qualifications/special skills
An 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 area 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 desirable.
Additional Information
All experts will engage in frequent regional and international travel. All travel will be in Economy Class as per United Nations administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/3.
This is a Level C consultancy position as defined in the Secretariat Administrative Instruction on Consultants and Individual Contractors (ST/AI/2013/4/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. The position requires travel to engage with petitioners, government officials and other interlocutors. All travel will be in Economy Class.
Geographical diversity is a strong consideration. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are encouraged to send their application to the Security Council Affairs Division roster of experts. Candidates on this list are likely to be considered at each appropriate opportunity. They will be contacted directly by the relevant team using the email address provided in the PHPs submitted when applying for the roster of experts. Candidates who have joined the roster are encouraged to actively come forward with each new Sanctions Expert posting posted on Inspira and on this website. Interested candidates can send their application by following the following link: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/191928?language=en. For further information, please refer to the page: Security Council Affairs Division Pool of Experts | United Nations Security Council Candidates should list all work experience and diplomas in the relevant part of the application. Work experience and diplomas only mentioned in the cover letter will not be considered for screening purposes. Statements must include concrete start and end dates, detailed description of tasks and achievements and whether the experience was obtained in full-time or part-time. Candidates should note that eligibility and fees will be decided based on their submitted application only. There is no option to revise an application after submission.
An appointment shall not be granted to a person whose father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother, including step-parents, step-children, and step-siblings of a staff member, works for the Secretariat as a staff member or in a non-staff capacity.
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.
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.
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