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. More about P-5 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Dhusamareb, Galmudug State. The Head of Office will be temporarily based in Mogadishu, pending the establishment of a field office in Dhusamareb, Galmudug. The incumbent will report to the SRSG, through the Chief of Staff, with additional reporting lines to the DSRSG-Political and DSRSG-RC/HC.

Responsibilities The Head of Office serves as the most senior United Nations representative in the area of operation, representing UNSOM, as well as facilitating and ensuring system-wide coordination and coherence with the United Nations Support Office in Somalia and the UN Country Team. Within delegated authority, the Head of Office will be responsible for the following duties: - Plan and implement the operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, i.e. peacebuilding, political and governance institution-building, conflict prevention and resolution, reconciliation, post-conflict rehabilitation, election administration, civil society support work, etc.; and incorporate 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. - Through good offices, support the creation and expansion of political space, foster dialogue, as well as develop and maintain an understanding of local perceptions and views on relevant issues, challenges and possible solutions; ensure that perceptions inform the Mission's own activities, policymaking and planning processes; and serve as the focal point for visits to the area of responsibility by UNSOM, the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and UN agency, fund and programme (AFP) delegations and/or partners. - Prepare briefing notes and talking points for the Head of the Mission and other senior staff on issues related to the Area of Responsibility (AoR); provide advice and policy recommendations to the Head of Mission and other senior staff on issues related to the delivery of the Mission’s mandate in the AoR; respond to/prepare responses to comments, statements and queries of parties, and manage operations involving several components, including civilian, military and humanitarian operations; and develop and maintain relations with senior government officials, the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and UN entities, and advise them on issues and policies of mutual concern. - Facilitate the coordination and integration of all activities of UN AFPs or area-based programming in the Federal Member State, in accordance with UN strategies and policy guidance from Mission leadership in support of agreed priorities (at state and federal levels), inter alia reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework; and work with the Integrated Office on development and implementation of Resident Coordinator functions at the Office level. - Lead and direct the Office team; plan and allocate work assignments; coach, mentor, and evaluate staff; participate in the recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programmes. Manage, coordinate, organize and supervise research on a variety of political issues in Galmudug; design peacebuilding initiatives; advise on and participate in the negotiation to establish operations; and develop guidelines, terms of reference, operational plans and time frames for new operations; plan, coordinate and manage programmes, projects and activities requiring Mission and/or interagency involvement and participation; and represent the office/mission at regular and ad hoc meetings. - Formulate the Office’s programme of work, budget and medium-term plan, and participate in the overall implementation of the programme of work; oversee administrative matters concerning the Office; coordinate and oversee the work of colleagues and units in the office. - Perform 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. 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. 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 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 improvement; 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.

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 of 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 science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required.

Experience in managing a diverse team and working in the United Nations or similar international/national organizations – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.

Experience working on issues related to the Horn of Africa, in particular Somalia, is desirable.

Experience working in a field office – of the United Nations or similar international/national organizations – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desired.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment 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.

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.