SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 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 Policy and Best Practices Service of the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO).The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of Service.

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. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations.

DPET is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of United Nations peacekeeping. In addition, the division has the responsibility to evaluate, at the request of the heads of the departments, how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices, and use that information to guide the development, coordination and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners.

Responsibilities Under the general supervision of the Director of the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET), and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Policy and Best Practices Service(PBPS), the incumbent is responsible for the following duties: - Advises and support the Chief, PBPS, in defining, directing, and producing identified lessons learned and best practices, in-depth analyses of emerging policy and cross-cutting policy and doctrinal products relating to peacekeeping; - Defines, directs and produces in-depth analyses on emerging policy and doctrinal questions relating to peacekeeping. This includes analyses of the types of challenges that peacekeeping operations are likely to face in future and the ways in which the Organization should be preparing to meet them; - Analyses the political and strategic implications of requests and queries made by Member States and provides such assessment to the senior officers concerned within the Department; - Advises the Chief of PBPS and the Director of DPET in negotiations with Member States regarding, for instance, policy and reform issues, and enhancing the capacity for United Nations Peacekeeping; - Liaises with and represents PBPS and DPET, vis-à-vis, inter alia, Permanent Missions, United Nations legislative bodies, ad hoc groups of Member States, other Departments of the Secretariat, United Nations Programmes and Specialized Agencies, as well as representatives of NGOs, and academic institutions; - Provides briefings and lectures to military, diplomatic, academic NGO audiences on the subject of peacekeeping, and participates in conferences/seminars and meetings on issues related to the work of the Department; - Maintains continuous contact with a small network of leading scholars in the field of peacekeeping in order to keep abreast of current thinking and writing on peacekeeping issues; - Drafts, or approves drafts of, various documents, such as selected reports of the Secretary- General to the General -Assembly and/or to the Security Council, talking points and briefing notes for meetings with Senior Officials; - Prepares, or approves drafts of, statements and speeches for the USG; - Manages the daily administrative affairs of the Pillar, including supervision of team leaders and front office staff, development of team and pillar work plans; - Advises the Chief, PBPS, on recruitment, personnel and budgetary matters and fundraising efforts with donors.

Competencies Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; - Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the 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 challenges; - Remains clam in stressful situations.

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.

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 improvement; 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; demonstrate knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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.

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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, public policy, law, history or related area. 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 ten years of progressively responsible experience in policy analysis on issues relating to the fields of United Nations peacekeeping, conflict prevention, peace and security matters, or related area is required.

Experience in complex research methodologies and analysis of processes and procedures, for example in identifying good practices is required.

Experience in drafting policy documents and engaging with peacekeeping stakeholders is required.

Substantive professional experience working in, or closely with, United Nations peacekeeping operations in the field is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in both oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available for six (6) months, starting on 22 May 2023, with the possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary 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.

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.

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.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.