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.
Salary for a P-5 contract in New York
The international rate of 110,869 USD, with an additional 88.4% (post adjustment) at this the location, applies. Please note that depending on the location, a higher post adjustment might still result in a lower purchasing power.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.
More about P-5 contracts and their salaries.Org. Setting and Reporting In support of the mandates of the two Special Advisers, the Office collects information, conducts assessments of situations worldwide and alerts the Secretary-General, and other relevant actors, to the risk of atrocity crimes, as well as their incitement.
This position is located in the Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect at Headquarters in New York. . The incumbent will report to the Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect.
Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Formulates political affairs strategies; contributes to the development of a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long range solutions to prevent genocide and related atrocity crimes; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures based on the UN system wide Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
- Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the Office i.e., incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, atrocity prevention, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the UN system wide Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
- Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation, including the inter-agency working group on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate speech.
- Prepares briefing notes and talking points, providing elaboration of detailed guidance for implementation of the UN system wide Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, through the Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect, for the Secretary-General, Special Advisers and other UN principals.
- Coordinates and directs the provision of secretariat services -for the General Assembly, Human Rights Council, ECOSOC and the Security Council and their subsidiary bodies, and special conferences and summits based on the UN system wide Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
- Leads and directs a work team; plans and assists in the allocation of work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs, as well as provision of technical assistance to Resident Coordinators through trainings and short-term deployment of staff, to support in implementing the Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech at the national level.
- Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on hate speech from a variety of political, human rights issues in a region and or country or major violent conflict.
- Represents the office at round tables, seminars and conferences.
- Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Office; coordinates and oversees work on implementation of the Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech at the national level.
- Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials, regional organisations and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern.
Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies - PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, regional, national and local community levels, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies, concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Ability to evaluate international political situations in area of assignment. Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system. 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.
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.
CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
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.
BUILDING TRUST: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion. Manages in a deliberate and predictable way. Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda. Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients. Gives proper credit to others. Follows through on agreed upon actions. Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) degree in political science, human rights, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, peace and conflict resolution or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work 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, human rights, law, disarmament, security, development management, peace, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience working on prevention of atrocity crimes and/or countering and addressing hate speech is required. Experience working with the United Nations or other similar multi-lateral organisation is required. Experience working in the field is desirable.
Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both written and oral) 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 a competency-based interview
Special Notice 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.
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.
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.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2020, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
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.