SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 148,099 USD and 190,943 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 This position is located in the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2476 (2019) authorizing the mandate of BINUH which currently is to advise the Government of Haiti in promoting and strengthening political stability and good governance, including the rule of law, preserving and advancing a peaceful and stable environment, including through supporting an inclusive inter-Haitian national dialogue, and protecting and promoting human rights; and assist the Government of Haiti with its efforts to plan and execute free, fair, and transparent elections; reinforce the capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP), including through training on human rights and crowd control, to respond to gang violence and sexual and gender-based violence, and to maintain public order; Develop an inclusive approach with all sectors of society to reduce community violence and, in particular, gang violence; Address human rights abuses and violations and comply with international human rights obligations; Improve Penitentiary Administration management and oversight of prison facilities to ensure proper treatment of detainees in accordance with international standards; and strengthen the justice sector, including by adopting and implementing key legislation to promote justice sector reform, improving internal oversight and accountability, particularly as related to corruption, addressing prolonged pretrial detention, and ensuring merit-based judicial appointments and the timely renewal of judicial mandates.

The Special Assistant will be based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and within delegated authority will report to the Special-Representative of the Secretary General and Head of BINUH.

Responsibilities Within the limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant: - Provides specialized advice and technical support to the SRSG in identifying, analyzing and monitoring political developments and emerging issues related to the Mission's mandate. •Takes on specific portfolios as required working within BINUH and with specific agencies to advance priority portfolios in an integrated manner. - Brings to the attention of the SRSG all matters requiring his/her personal attention, assists in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensures appropriate follow-up, as directed. - As requested, handles incoming and outgoing correspondence of the SRSG. - Drafts and edits speeches, talking points and briefings in English and French for the SRSG. - Ensures that the SRSG is adequately supported by the rest of the mission in terms of meetings/engagements, talking points, briefing papers and follow-up reporting and that these documents are received in the Front Office in a timely manner. - Drafts correspondence for the SRSG's signature, as well as other documentation including code cables and reports to the Security Council. •Tracks the production of code cables and other mission reporting to ensure that it is timely and regular and assists with the coordination of the production of reports to the Security Council as requested. - Liaises and maintains close working relationships with officials of state institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, religious actors. - Works with the relevant units on the organization and management of conferences, meetings, seminars, and workshops as directed by the SRSG. - Supports, as required, the Mission's cooperation and liaison with Agencies, Funds and Programmes as well as with bilateral donors and other international organizations, with a view to realizing greater synergies. - Supports the Mission's budgetary and other planning processes as directed by the SRSG.

Competencies Professionalism: Very good knowledge of the functioning of front offices and of the UN system. Superior drafting, research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of political issues. A background in economic issues and financial flows is an asset. Possesses an accomplished ability to identify sources for data collection, research and analyze information and draft reports. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple concurrent projects. 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.

Planning and Organizing: Excellent ability to plan and organize work in support of the SRSG’s agenda. 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 and is able to enlist others in meeting deadlines.

Communication: Excellent communication (spoken, written and presentational) and analytical skills. 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; writes speeches; is capable of editing the work of others to the highest standards; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science and or Economics, Management or Development, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional training in the areas of research, planning, facilitation and/or coordination is an asset.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related area is required.

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

Experience in drafting speeches in English and French for senior officials and reports to governmental and intergovernmental bodies is required.

Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organisation – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official and/or as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior public official is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required.

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

Special Notice - Fully vaccinated status for COVID-19 or willingness to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 may be required for this position.

• 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.

• 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.

  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.