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 The post is located in the Mediation Support Unit (MSU), within the Policy and Mediation Division (PMD), in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). MSU is the system-wide service provider, assisting upon request the mediation initiatives of the United Nations, Member States, regional/ subregional organizations and relevant partners. It is the United Nations focal point for mediation support and the institutional repository of knowledge, lessons learned and best practices. The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of MSU and under overall guidance of the Director of PMD.

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

• Supports the Chief of MSU in managing the unit's assistance to United Nations-led and supported mediation, facilitation and good offices efforts; provides responses to requests for mediation assistance; proposes policy directives and plans of action for immediate and longer-term solutions to political problems in general and in specific geographical areas, mainstreaming women, peace and security considerations, identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.
• Coordinates the implementation of operational activities related to the mediation support work of the unit in conflict prevention and resolution, political and governance institution-building, and civil society support work, etc.; incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict-prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit.
• Coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities, requiring cooperation with other PMD units and more broadly within DPPA, the Department of Peace Operations, interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation.
• Coordinates the preparation of briefing notes, inputs, reports and talking points for the Secretary-General, DPPA Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretaries-General and Senior Management.
• Designs mediation support initiatives; provides operational advice relevant to mediation efforts, including deploying to the field as needed; supports the recruitment and oversight of the DPPA Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers; participates in the negotiation to establish mediation initiatives and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new mediation efforts.
• Contributes to reporting to intergovernmental bodies concerning the organization of work, budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues.
• Leads and directs the work of the team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in the recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.
• Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of mediation-related and political issues in a region and/or country or major conflict; oversees the management of mediation knowledge and the development and dissemination of mediation guidance through training and other initiatives; coordinates training and communications work of MSU.
• Represents division/unit at round tables, seminars and conferences.
• Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties.
• Be overall responsible for the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the unit, including personnel management and the preparation of budgets and management of projects funded through voluntary contributions; oversees earmarked projects.
• Develops and maintains relations with government officials; oversees the development and management of DPPA's mediation partnerships with Member States, donors, regional organizations and other mediation actors and networks.

• Performs other related duties as required.

  Competencies - PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the field of mediation and good offices as tools of conflict prevention and resolution; knowledge of mediation support including mediation processes, management of experts, best practices and mediation networks; ability to produce reports and papers on mediation and good offices issues; ability to review and edit the work of others. Ability to manage and coordinate multi-level projects. 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.

• 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 & 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.

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 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 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 ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience managing a team is required. Experience working in a UN field mission or similar international organization is required. Experience in programme management, including managing voluntary contributions, is desirable. Experience in mediation, facilitation and good offices efforts and providing mediation or prevention advice to senior leadership is desirable. Experience in knowledge management, guidance development and training is desirable. Experience working with a broad network of UN partner organizations is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. 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 until 11 January 2022. 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.

• 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.

• 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

  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.