CHIEF OF SERVICE, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Contract

This is a D-1 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 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 201,426 USD and 254,179 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Libreville, Gabon. Libreville is classified as an “A” hardship duty station and a family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOCA.

UNOCA covers the countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), namely: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe.

Read about the mandate on https://unoca.unmissions.org/

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Management of the Political Affairs Section - Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of UNOCA’s mandate; assess implications and make recommendations to the Mission leadership on possible strategies, policies and other measures to address issues of concern. - Ensure regular, timely and high-quality reporting to the Mission leadership on developments and issues pertaining to UNOCA’s mandate; co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports, letters, statements and other documentation for submission to Headquarters and regional UN and non-UN-partners; Ensure that the outputs produced by Political Affairs Section (PAS) maintain high-quality standards, and that reports are clear, objective, factual and based on comprehensive verifiable data sources. Ensure that all outputs produced by PAS meet required standards, including relevant Security Council mandates. Ensure timely reporting of PAS activities to UNHQ. - Implement the operational activities related to the work of the office including fostering dialogue, understanding and cooperation between parties; building the capacity of national authorities and institutions, as well as inter-governmental and civil society organizations in the sub-region; - Incorporate an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity and a gender perspective throughout the Office's activities; - Plan, coordinate and manage programmes, projects and activities of the regional office and coordinate with other components of the Mission and entities external to the Mission as required; - Monitor and analyze information and data, managing, coordinating and supervising the preparation of analytical materials and assessments related to political, civil, social, economic and other developments in the region related to the implementation of the mandate; - Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff within the Political Affairs Section; participating in selection of new staff for the Section; - Coordinate and formulate the programme of work of the Political Affairs Section.

Advice and Reporting - Identifies emerging issues at the regional level pertaining to the mandate; analyze implications and make recommendations on possible strategies and measures; propose plans of action for immediate and long range solutions to political problems in the region; - Coordinate the preparation of the Secretary-General's reports to the Security Council on the activities of the Mission as well as briefings to the Security Council and other similar documents; - Prepare various written materials, such as reports, statements, notes on meetings, speeches and briefing notes; and - Provide political advice to other components of the Mission and to other UN entities working in the region.

Liaison - Provide good offices on behalf of the SRSG at the regional level, as appropriate; and - Develops and maintains relations at the regional level with governmental officials, political actors and civil society organizations, as well as regional actors and organizations and the wider UN system, operating within the region. - Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Ability to produce reports and papers on political and technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.

Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviors; acts without consideration of personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority; stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior.

Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats men and women equally; shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; examines own biases and behaviors to avoid stereotypical responses; does not discriminate against any individual or group.

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: 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.

Managerial Competencies Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, social science, Law, Public Administration 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 fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, humanitarian affairs, human rights, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or a related field, is required.

- Experience working in an international organization or non governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting, is desirable.

- Experience working on political and strategic issues in the Central African region, is desirable.

- Experience in program and project planning and implementation, is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and French is required.

Assessment Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.