SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Overview

Lead United Nations efforts for a peaceful settlement regarding Western Sahara conflict.

You have:

• 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 working on political or peace and security issues in and related to North Africa is required.
• Experience in political analysis, particularly related to conflict prevention and conflict resolution is required.
• Experience providing advice and support to senior officials on mediation strategies is required.
• Experience in drafting analytical papers on politically sensitive and high-profile matters is desirable.
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related disciplines.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• English and French are required for this position, with minimal required level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

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 110,869 USD and 138,944 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 position is located in the Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara (OPESG), based in Brussels, Belgium. OPESG is tasked with leading the United Nations efforts for finding a peaceful settlement for the conflict over Western Sahara, in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Senior Political Officer (Head of Office) will report directly to the Personal Envoy, while maintaining liaison with DPPA.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, and under the supervision of the PESG, the Senior Political Affairs Officer (Head of Office) will be responsible for the following duties: • Acts as Senior Adviser to the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara. • Ensures the effective direction and integrated management of OPESG's activities in line with the strategic vision and guidance of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General. • Oversees the internal management of OPESG, including through the development of necessary policies and procedures, taking into account relevant Headquarters policy and best practices. • Facilitates the translation of mandates, policy intent and high-level direction of mission leadership into viable tasks and priorities • Conducts research and analyses political situations and related events within assigned areas with a view to providing early warning advice to the Personal Envoy for Western Sahara. Recommends solutions/possible actions by United Nations. • Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long range solutions to political problems in general and in specific geographical areas; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandate of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. • Reviews and monitors political and related developments in Western Sahara; assess trends which might affect the political impact of intra-regional issues; recommend solutions/possible action by United Nations; • Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive matters to United Nations bodies as required; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, and other senior UN officials as required. Acts as focal point for collection and analysis of information on political issues related to Western Sahara. • Arranges and participates in mediation, negotiations, fact-finding missions and other relevant missions. • Provides up-to-date information to the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General regarding substantive political matters and makes recommendations on actions to take. • Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office of the Personal Envoy. • Conducts close liaison with the Secretariat, in particular the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Maintains contact with other Departments and Agencies of the United Nations system, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; provides, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to provide advice and support for conflict prevention and peacebuilding initiatives, to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in Western Sahara; ability to relate 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. • 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) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

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 working on political or peace and security issues in and related to North Africa is required. Experience in political analysis, particularly related to conflict prevention and conflict resolution is required. Experience providing advice and support to senior officials on mediation strategies is required. Experience in drafting analytical papers on politically sensitive and high-profile matters is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

.headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /color: rgb(65, 98, 145);/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIFrenchUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III

Assessment

Not available.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2026. 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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must meet the applicable geographical or lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy, taking into account that selection to the post may itself constitute a qualifying move, in accordance with the relevant administrative issuances. Staff members are encouraged to ensure that all qualifying geographical or lateral moves are accurately reflected in their applicant profile. Please refer to ST/AI/2025/2 on the Staff selection system for more details. 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. Recruitment is subject to classification, which is approved by DMSPC. Internal applicants should note that the granting of SPA is contingent upon classification of the 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. 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.

Potential interview questions