Associate Political Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Associate Political Affairs Officer will be based in the DPPA Liaison Team (DPPA/LT) to UNON in Nairobi, Kenya, which forms part of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Department of Peace Operations (DPO). He/she will report to the Eastern Africa Division (UN Secretariat, New York) through the Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean Team. The core functions of Eastern Africa Division / Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean Team, covering Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda as well as Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles, are in the areas of conflict prevention, peace-making and post-conflict peace-building.

In October 2009, DPA established the Liaison Team in Nairobi, located in the Office of the Director-General of UNON. The main objective of the Liaison Team was to increase the UN's capacity to respond in a timely manner to situations of potential violent conflict in the East African/Great Lakes sub-region. Core functions include monitoring and reporting on political developments, supporting the UNON Director-General in carrying out his/her political mandate, supporting UN high-level missions, and making recommendations on measures to tackle major peace and security challenges. The Team is composed of one P4, one P3, and one G5, with support also provided by one UNV. In its current Terms of Reference (ToRs), the Team is mandated to support both DPPA and the Director-General. “General supervision” of the Team is given to the Director of DPPA-DPO/Eastern Africa Division, and “overall guidance” to the UNON Director-General. The team is part of the East Africa and Indian Ocean team and works under the direct supervision of the Team Leader for East Africa and the Indian Ocean. Since its creation, the team has served as a surge capacity for preventive efforts in the sub-region, including working with RCs and UNCTs, undertaking special assignments, supporting high-level visits from Headquarters, and implementing specific activities. Current priorities for the team include supporting the implementation of the Frameworks for Cooperation with the East African Community and the Indian Ocean Commission.

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the DPPA/LT to UNON, and under the overall supervision of the Team Leader for the Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean Team, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Contribute to the on-going analysis of political developments in the Indian Ocean region with a focus on preventive democracy and institution building, elections and post-election transitions, as well as violent extremism and other cross-cutting issues; and assist in the drafting of substantive documents and reports (analytical notes, talking points, etc). • Contribute to thematic/comparative reports on regional dynamics on topics including environmental issues, land rights, youth, and the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. • Closely monitor news in countries of responsibility and draft comprehensive news clippings and other media analysis reports to be shared with management. • Maintain close working relations with UN Country Teams, and other relevant UN partners active in the region. • As required, undertake missions in the region to support UN delegations, UN Country Teams, and DPPA projects and/or workshops. • Play a proactive role in reaching out to think tanks, academia, and civil society groups in the region to enhance the quality and breadth of political analysis. • Provide administrative and substantive support to various workshops, events, XB projects, and other activities implemented by DPPA in the region; Service substantive meetings as required, including note-taking, logistic arrangements etc; Provide support to RC offices and UNCTs in the region as well as internal United Nations coordination mechanisms. • Undertake other relevant tasks and assignments as requested.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Communication • Integrity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Teamwork

political affairs, government, diplomacy, peacebuilding, conflict resolution or international development. • Prior experience in political analysis and reporting is essential, preferably in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. • Proven ability or interest to work with government officials or International, Regional or Sub-Regional organisations is an asset.

The incumbent will find his/her own housing arrangements in Nairobi. Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at a reasonable cost. The city is at a high altitude, with sunny days and cooler nights. There is a short rainy season before Christmas, and longer rains fall from March to May. November to February is generally warm. No need for central heating, however, warm clothes are necessary during the rainy season. There are several transportation options in Nairobi, including taxis, buses, mini-buses, and mobile applications for transport. Public healthcare in Nairobi is generally subpar, but there are private healthcare options that are of better quality. The city is widely connected through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both UN-HABITAT and UNEP and as the UN Regional Hub for the East and Horn of Africa region. Security is an issue in Nairobi, with incidents of car-jacking and theft not uncommon. Safety and security in Nairobi varies depending on different neighborhoods, and it is important to become familiarized with safety recommendations for the city. Telecommunication system in Nairobi is generally sufficient. Internet access is generally reliable. There are frequent power cuts, however most of the shared compounds have generators. Water supply can also be an issue as Kenya often experiences drought. In these situations, expats, may need to supplement their water supply by buying in water tankers. Kenyans are wonderfully friendly and tolerant to visitors. English is the first language spoken here, though most Kenyans are trilingual, using tribal languages and Kiswahili.

The DPPA/LT to UNON is located within the United Nations Offices in Nairobi, Kenya which is the UN Headquarters in Africa and the only UNHQ in the Global South. Kenya has the strongest economy in the EAC region and is host to many UN country and regional offices. Nairobi is a family duty station. The city has an international airport and serves as a hub for most countries in East Africa. The UN Volunteer will be expected to undertake travel to other countries in the Eastern African region to support preventive diplomacy and sustaining peace initiatives. Depending on external factors, including political developments in the region, the UN Volunteer may be required to travel outside of the duty station DPPA/LT to UNON. Field visits to on-going projects in these countries may include remote areas subject to non-family and hazardous duty station classification. It is therefore essential that the UN Volunteer is aware of the need to undertake extensive mission travel to a variety of country situations https://www.unv.org/