ASSOCIATE POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 92,834 USD and 126,092 USD.

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Org. Setting and Reporting This post is in the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. Following the expansion of the remit of the mandate of OSE-Horn of Africa to cover the entire Horn of Africa region, the Associate Political Affairs Officer supports in the implementation of the political mandate of OSE-Horn of Africa and that of the Regional Strategy. The Associate Political Affairs Officer works under the direct supervision of the Principal Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Associate Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Supports implementation of the Regional Strategy through monitoring progress; constant and focused liaison with relevant UN entities working in the Horn of Africa region and rapporteurs of the thematic pillars of the Strategy, including maintaining working relationships with PDAs operating in the region; - Contributes to developing bi-annual reports on the status of implementation of the Regional Strategy for UNHQ and other stakeholders; - Coordinates planning and organizing of meetings and consultations related to the Regional Strategy including bi-annual meetings and monthly meetings with rapporteurs; - Monitors political developments in assigned countries in the Horn of Africa region and their regional implications; - Prepares a range of internal reports and briefing papers, including but not limited to situation reports, political profiles, notes to file, background papers, briefing notes, code cables and talking points for the Special Envoy and other senior staff; - Provides technical and substantive backstopping to the other activities of the Office including IGAD-UN initiatives, workshops and meetings; - Develops and maintain professional relationships, which support the work of the Office, including representatives of international organizations and other relevant partners; - Performs other duties as required.

Competencies - PROFESSIONALISM:¿ Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area.¿ Ability to develop sources for data collection. 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.

• TEAMWORK:¿ 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.

  Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, conflict resolution, social sciences, international relations, law or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, peace and security issues or other related area is required.

  Experience in political analysis and reporting, preferably in the context of the Horn of Africa Sub-region is required.

  Experience in drafting analytical code cables and knowledge of the UN system is required.

  Experience in working with sub-regional organisations, particularly IGAD is desirable.

  Proven ability to support implementation of Strategies is desirable, including monitoring and reporting on progress.

  Languages Fluency in English, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of any of the local languages spoken in the Horn of Africa is an asset.

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

  Special Notice - This post is financed through the peacekeeping support account. Appointment against this position is for an initial period of 4 months with a possibility of extension. The appointment and renewal are therefore subject to satisfactory performance, the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of mandate.

• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

  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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.