POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 142,550 USD and 183,789 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 post is presently located in the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa in the Republic of South Sudan in Juba. The Political Affairs Officer works under the direct supervision of the Principal Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Monitors developments at the national level within the IGAD region, in particular South Sudan and Uganda, and provides inputs as required.

• Support the implementation of the mandate of the office in relation to its work with IGAD and other regional institutions and with regard to the implementation of the Regional Strategy for the Horn of Africa (RSHoA). Organizes operational activities related to the work of the office in this regard as directed by the Principal Political Affairs Officer.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political developments in general within the member states of IGAD, and in particular as they affect the Horn of Africa from both a national and regional perspective. Provide guidance and advice as it relates to UN engagement with IGAD and the AU, specifically as regards matters relating to peace and security within the Horn of Africa Region.

• Develops and maintains relations with IGAD and its member states, as well as other key stakeholders at the working levels, to ensure open communication channels with the office of the Special Envoy to the Horn.

• Prepares and reviews briefing notes and talking points for the Special Envoy and other senior staff.

• Provides guidance and advice on assigned issues under consideration of the Intergovernmental Authority, including the status of peace processes, approach to various issues and interpretation of various decisions.

• Develops and maintains close working relations with UN Offices in the Horn of Africa and other organizations in the Horn of Africa region on coordination and policy matters.

• Supports the strengthening of the strategic partnership between the United Nations, IGAD and the African Union as pertains to its activities in the Horn of Africa on peace and security issues and maintains close working relations with other UN field presences.

• Supports the Special Envoy in his/her good offices functions, as necessary.

• Performs other related duties as required.

  Competencies Professionalism

Professionalism: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues in perspectives to political, social, economic, and humanitarian programs in affected countries and areas. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Judgement/ Decision-making:

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 that 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, international economics, law, public administration or other related. 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, humanitarian affairs, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience working on peace and security issues in Africa and with the African Union or RECs, particularly IGAD and/or the EAC in the Horn of Africa or the greater East Africa region, is desirable.

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

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

Special Notice - This position is fixed term for one year and renewable based on satisfactory evaluation and availability of funds.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the initial one-year period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

  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.