POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, HEAD OF OFFICE

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. More about P-4 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located within the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in Basra. The Political Affairs Officer/Head of Office will report to the Chief of Staff under the supervision of both the Chief of Staff and the Chief of Political Affairs & Analysis in Baghdad. As the representative of the Mission in the Area of Responsibility, the incumbent within his/her function as Head of Office, will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the mandate and for developing strategies and activities for achieving the Mission’s overall objectives.

Responsibilities Within the delegated authority of the Chief Political Affairs and Analysis in Baghdad and the direct supervision of a Senior Political Affairs Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Political Analysis and Outreach: - Identify, analyze and monitor key political developments, trends and emerging issues in Iraq and the wider region with respect to the implementation of UNAMI’s mandate; assess implications and make recommendations to senior management on possible measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives including, among others, on conducting UNAMI’s good offices; - Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies; - Support preparations for official meetings, events and visits, including through the provision of Secretariat services and by drafting talking points and speeches for senior UN officials; - Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with mission components, UN Common System colleagues and counterparts particularly members of the United Nations Country Team with a presence in Basra, Government representatives, political leaders, civil society actors, military and law enforcement actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners on information-sharing, policy and coordination matters, particularly in the development of strategies and plans of action to address political challenges, in pursuit of shared objectives; Office Management and Coordination: Under the supervision of the Chief of Staff in Baghdad, and in coordination with the Office of Chief of Staff and other sections/offices as relevant, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: - Provide overall guidance to all units within the office to promote understanding of their respective roles and function in implementing UNAMI’s mandate in Basra province; - Promote internal teamwork, ensure exchange of information among units and coordinated engagement with interlocutors at the provincial level; - Formulate a comprehensive programme of work for the Office, determining priorities and activities in line with the mandate (a work plan), and ensure follow-up and performance monitoring; - Provide a performance assessment report every three six months outlining the office’s progress on the identified priorities as determined in the Office’s work plan; - Perform other relevant duties as required.

The Head of Office also serves as Area Security Coordinator on appointment by the Designated Official (D.O.), the incumbent will in this capacity be expected to perform the roles and responsibility outlined in the United Nations Department of Safety and Security Framework of Accountability and the appointment letter issued by the D.O.

Competencies Professionalism - Knowledge of the political issues related to Iraq and the region is a prerequisite; Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes; Provide solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries; Ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas; Takes 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.

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.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Judgement and 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 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) in political science, international relations, social sciences, law, public administration, or a related field. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and two additional years of 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, diplomacy, conflict resolution, disarmament or related area is required.

Experience in political outreach, facilitation, advice, coordination, analysis and reporting on issues relating to Iraq and the Middle East is required.

Proven experience in drafting high quality documents in English is required.

Experience in the management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams with responsibility for strategic/operational planning or development and implementation of a strategic programme, with both personnel and resource management responsibilities is required.

Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) - or similar international organization or non-governmental organization- in a conflict or post-conflict setting is highly desirable.

Experience in managing performance within the United Nations system is highly desirable.

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

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Fully vaccinated status for COVID-19 or willingness to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 is required for this position.

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.