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 171,387 USD and 220,969 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 Integrated Assessment and Planning Unit (IAP Unit) in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations (OUSG) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The Political Affairs Officer reports directly to the Principal Political Affairs Officer (Chief of Office).

The Integrated Assessment and Planning Unit (IAP Unit) provides policy guidance and support for planning in peacekeeping missions, including assistance related to integrated assessment and planning with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to UN Peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. DPO also provides guidance and support of military, police, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions.

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

• Support IOTs and field missions on the implementation of the IAP Policy, the Policy on Planning and Review of Peacekeeping Operations, the Policy on Authority, Command and Control, Guidelines on the Mission Concept and Mission Plan and other relevant policies/guidance on assessment and planning.
• Analyse developments in the missions supported by DPO in order to anticipate key planning moments and ensure appropriately tailored support related to assessment and planning and advising on structures, processes and documents, as appropriate.
• Support the organisation of the annual workshop of mission planners and deliver training (such as Conflict Analysis and Strategic Assessment, mission planning and the Policy on Authority, Command and Control Policy).
• Support policy development processes lead by other offices, departments or entities within the UN, including evaluations and/or lessons learned exercises related to assessment and planning. Contribute to the implementation of key recommendations of reform processes, as concerns assessment and planning.
• Contribute to the management of rosters of planners; identify and recommend qualified planners to field missions.
• Support exchanges with regional organisations, such as the AU, EU and NATO, on assessment and planning issues, including coordinated and joint approaches, as needed.
• Contribute to the management of the team’s extra-budgetary funding, including reporting to donors and fundraising.
• Advises the Under-Secretary-General, Department of Peace Operations, Integrated Operational Teams (IOTs) and desks, and peacekeeping field missions on assessment, planning and authority, command and control issues, and supports assessment and planning exercises both in Headquarters and the field.
• Leads or contributes to policy and guidance development, as well as building capacity through briefings, training programmes, community of practice, roster of planners and other support, on issues related to planning.
• Reviews and monitors activities in the country or region with peacekeeping operations; assesses trends which might affect the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues such as refugees, drug control and natural resources; recommends options on planning of possible action by United Nations.
• Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to providing advice with respect to strategic planning to the USG of DPO or Head of Mission.
• Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern, from the perspective of integrated and mission-specific strategic planning, to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials.
• Participates in the organization and supervision of Secretariat services required by the Security Council and to other committees and bodies related to its work.
• Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issues of assignment as they relate to planning.
• Arranges and participates in negotiations, peacekeeping operations and assessment missions.
• Meets regularly with operational teams including UN staff, national officials as well as Military and Civilian Police officers to plan projects and review project activities.
• Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and country or regional issues as they may affect planning processes and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the United Nations (UN), other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
• Participates in conferences, seminars and academic for a related to his/her assigned area of expertise.
• Provides input for assessment of staff to be deployed to important posts in the field (e.g. Resident Coordinators).
• Carries out, in consultation with the Chief of Office/Principal Political Affairs Officer, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget.

• Performs other related duties as required.

  Competencies 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 and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes 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 & 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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, history, international relations, public policy/administration, law or related field. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience in a related filed may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. At least one year experience in peacekeeping or other field operation is required. Strategic planning experience in an inter-departmental and inter-agency context is highly desirable. Background and experience in peacekeeping operations planning is desirable. Experience in policy development related to planning is highly desirable. Designing and delivering training related to assessment and planning is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English language is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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

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.