SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Overview

Advancing partnership between UN and ASEAN through strategic dialogue.

You have:

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience at national and international levels in advisory and managerial positions in, political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, or conflict resolution is required.
• Experience formulating political strategies and advising senior officials is desirable.
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international economics, international relations, law, public administration, or related field.

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 141,691 USD and 177,570 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 located in the Asia-Pacific Division of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) and is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. This post will focus on advancing the Comprehensive Partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through strengthened institutional dialogue and coordination between the two organizations and with ASEAN Member States, including through engaging with the ASEAN Committee of the Permanent Representatives and the ASEAN Secretariat. The Senior Political/Liaison Officer reports to the Director of the Asia and the Pacific Division through the Team Leader for South and Southeast Asia.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs/Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Formulates political affairs strategies, programmes of work and specific projects regarding the implementation of the UN’s Comprehensive Partnership with ASEAN; develops a vision or direction for this work and creates the conditions for implementation. • Plans and coordinates the UN’s programmes and activities requiring interdepartmental and interagency involvement regarding the implementation of the UN’s Comprehensive Partnership with ASEAN. • Reviews and monitors activities in the ASEAN region; assesses trends which might affect the overall political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues on the UN’s Comprehensive Partnership with ASEAN; recommends solutions/possible action or engagement by the UN. • Analyses political and related events within the ASEAN region with a view to provide early warning advice to UN Senior Officials. • Prepares briefing notes, talking points, speeches, correspondence and any other documentation for the Secretary-General, Under Secretary General/Assistant Secretary General and other UN Senior Officials for high-level meetings and other interactions. • Conducts and directs research, initiates and carries out in-depth analysis and studies on diverse and sensitive issues related to the ASEAN region. • Proposes policy directives and plans of action for immediate and long-range solutions to issues facing the ASEAN region. • Conceptualizes, coordinates, arranges and implements ASEAN-UN collaborative activities and events. • Acts as focal point for collection of information and analysis and prepares relevant reporting in coordination with DPPA-DPO Headquarters and other UN entities that work in the implementation of UN’s Comprehensive Partnership with ASEAN and the Plan of Action. • Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan for the collaboration with ASEAN as part of the overall Team and Division programme of work; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues. • Develops and maintains relations with officials and representatives at the highest levels of ASEAN governments, other ASEAN structures and ASEAN Secretariat and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. • Meets regularly with UN entities, ASEAN Member States officials and ASEAN Secretariat staff to coordinate work on joint reports and activities towards the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action. • Acts as a senior presenter in events and trainer in courses. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of DPPA-DPO/APD unit’s strategic direction and ability to translate it into a results-oriented work programme. Able to evaluate regional and international political problems. Able to work in the field. Able to manage and coordinate multileveled 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. 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 economics, international relations, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience at national and international levels in advisory and managerial positions in, political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, or conflict resolution is required. Experience formulating political strategies and advising senior officials is desirable. Experience building relationships and liaising with a wide range of stakeholders is desirable. Experience coordinating activities requiring interagency involvement is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are un-represented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply: Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Grenada, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. Andorra, Angola, Belize, China, Cuba, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

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