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 165,084 USD and 206,888 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 In February 2013, 11 nations signed the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, in a renewed drive to end the recurring cycles of devastating conflict in eastern DRC which impacts stability and development in the Great Lakes area of Africa. On 31 January 2014, two more countries, Kenya and Sudan, became signatories of the PSC Framework. The framework aims to help “address the root causes of conflict and put an end to recurring cycles of violence” in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes Region. In its Resolution 2098 (2013), the Security Council welcomed the signing of the PSC Framework. It called on the Special Envoy, in coordination with the Special Representative for the DRC to “lead, coordinate and assess the implementation of national and regional commitments under the PSC Framework, including through the establishment of benchmarks and appropriate follow-up measures”.

The Security Council further encouraged the Special Envoy to “lead a comprehensive political process that includes all relevant stakeholders to address the underlying root causes of the conflict”.

This position is located in the front Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region in Nairobi, and the incumbent reports to the Special Envoy.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, under the overall supervision and guidance of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Supports and strengthens coordination of the Front Office of the Special Envoy; - Provides advice to the Special Envoy, notably in relation to policies and practices of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, developments within the United Nations (UN) System and among member states; contributes to strengthening cooperation between the Office of the Special Envoy and key regional and international organizations and mechanisms; and enhances the capacity of the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region to effectively respond to requests and queries from Member States, regional and international partners. - Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the Office, i.e., conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work; 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 Office. - Provides political advice to promote overarching coherence of initiatives undertaken under the umbrella of the UN Strategy for Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region; contributes to coordinating the OSESG-GL’s role of Secretariat of the Senior Policy Group (SPG), the coordination mechanism mandated to oversee and provide strategic guidance for the implementation of the Strategy; monitors and reports on the implementation of the Strategy, in close coordination with pertinent UN entities and ensures sustained coordination and consultations with strategic partners of the OSESG-GL outside of the UN, including countries and organizations of the region, bilateral partners and civil society organizations. - Formulates issue-specific strategies for the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political issues; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandate of the Office; analyses implications and makes recommendations for possible strategies and measures. - Prepares, coordinates and reviews briefing notes, talking points and other documents for the Head of the Mission and contributes to the Mission’s political context analysis and awareness. Provides continuous guidance and advice to senior leadership 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. Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and representatives of regional and subregional organizations, in support to implementation of the Mission mandate. - 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 research on a variety of political issues. Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency coordination and participation. - Represents the Mission at roundtables, seminars and conferences. - Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism - 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 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.

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 staff when they make mistakes; 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 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 years 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 work and international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience in providing political advice to senior officials is required.

Experience in drafting and editing high-quality analytical reports is required.

Experience dealing with peace and security issues affecting the Great Lakes region is required.

Experience in coordination and liaising with partner organizations is desirable.

Experience in design and support of mediation and dialogue processes in active conflict or post-conflict situations is desirable.

Experience working on or in a regional context is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in both English and French (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 "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/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.