Senior Political Affairs Officer

Overview

Lead political strategies and support peace processes in Sudan.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, conflict resolution, or related field is required.
• A minimum of four years of experience in supporting peace processes, negotiations, and peacebuilding work is required.
• Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.
• Experience engaging with national level entities, armed movements, civil society, and other stakeholders in support of peace building activities is desirable.
• Experience serving in a conflict or post-conflict situation and/or supporting countries in political transitions is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.
• Basic knowledge of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and security sector governance is desirable.

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 158,432 USD and 198,551 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 United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2524 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNITAMS which is to support the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; to support peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements; to assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in particular in the areas of Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Darfur; and to support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.

The position is based in Khartoum and is located in the Peace Support Section of the Office of Support to the Political Transition. The incumbent will report to the Director of the Office of Support to the Political Transition.

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

•Plans and implements the strategic activities related to the work of the section in relation to supporting peace talks and implementation of existing peace agreements i.e., disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, political and governance institution-building, 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;

•Collaborates with the United Nations country team to identify areas of programmatic engagement and ensure an integrated and coherent United Nations support. Engages on resource mobilization and promotion of peace dividends;

•Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Mission leadership and other senior staff. Provides continuous guidance and advice to the Mission leadership, as well as other elected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, and conduct of business including interpretation of the rules of procedure. Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties. Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern;

•Leads and directs a work team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs. Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises the work of the team. Designs peace initiatives in collaboration with the peacebuilding adviser; advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new operations. Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. Represents Division/Office/Mission at round tables, seminars and conferences;

•Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Section/Division or Mission; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and unit;

•Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to provide seasoned effective authoritative advice in a broad range of political issues to mission leadership; ability to identify and analyse the underlying causes of conflict and instability and to provide advice to senior officials in developing and implementing political strategies to address them; sound knowledge of the UN system; strong negotiation, consensus-building and conflict-resolution skills; support to peace talks and/or political negotiations, as well as supporting stakeholders/interlocutors in implementation of peace agreements on a range of issues. Shows pride in work and 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.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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.

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/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), is required, in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or a related field. A first-level university degree may be accepted, in combination with qualifying experience, in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, conflict resolution, or a related field, is required. A minimum of four years of experience in supporting peace processes, negotiations and peacebuilding work, is required. Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds and programmes) in a conflict or post-conflict setting, is desirable. A minimum of four years of experience engaging with national level entities, armed movements, civil society and other stakeholders in support of peace building activities is desirable. A minimum of four years of experience serving in a conflict or post-conflict situation and/or supporting countries in political transitions is desirable. Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience working in Africa is desirable. Basic knowledge of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and security sector governance and related field is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Assessment Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice The selected candidate will be expected to commence work as soon as possible.

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 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 in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.

Potential interview questions