SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 116,975 USD and 153,170 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 Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/HC/RC) in Juba within the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Under the overall guidance of the DSRSG/HC/RC, the incumbent reports to the P5 Senior Liaison Officer in the Office of Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. Juba is currently classified as an "E" hardship and a non-family duty station.

Responsibilities Within the limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

Coordination and Facilitation: Provide substantive and logistical support to the DSRSG/RC/HC in the implementation of the Mission's mandate as given by the Security Council, and the work of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT); Organize and manage the DSRSG/RC/HC’s meetings and official missions, prepare summaries of discussions and monitor follow-up activities; Liaise and maintain close working relationship with officials of state institutions, political parties, UNCT, HCT, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, religious actors; Coordinate UNMISS’ collaboration with the UNCT, HCT and external partners, maintain a functional relationship between UNMISS and the UNCT and HCT, and monitor its performance on a day-to-day basis. Keep UNHQ timely informed on issues under the responsibility of the DSRSG/RC/HC;

Analysis, Advice and Reporting: Identify, analyze and monitor political, humanitarian and economic developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the Mission’s mandate, and the work of the UNCT and HCT; Assess implications and make recommendations on possible UN policies, strategies, and other measures; Coordinate/draft summaries and analytical reports including code cables and reports to the Security Council; Prepare talking points, take notes in meetings and give inputs to speeches. Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the DSRSG/RC/HC.

Communications: As requested, deal with incoming and outgoing correspondence of the DSRSG/RC/HC; Draft correspondence for the DSRSG/RC/HC’s signature, as well as other internal notes; Assist in media liaison and manage interview requests; Provide timely inputs to UNHQ materials as requested;

Management: Bring to the attention of the DSRSG/RC/HC all matters requiring the DSRSG/RC/HC’s personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed; Assist in the selection of new staff; Supervise and arrange official missions and travel of the DSRSG/RC/HC; Perform other relevant duties including support to the Senior Victims’ Rights Officer as requested by the DSRSG/RC/HC.

Competencies Professionalism – Takes initiative and consistently drives for high quality performance for self and colleagues. Strong inter-personal effectively with colleagues and contacts in skills, including the ability to manage multi-stake holder processes. Values diversity and works the immediate and wider teams in pursuit of objectives. Anticipates and manages risk. 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 perspective 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.

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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field is required. Experience in cross-cutting issues, political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice, and reporting is required. Experience working on protection of civilians, early recovery or humanitarian programming is desirable. Experience working 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 official is desirable. Field experience with the UN common system (UN Peacekeeping or special political missions, or UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes) is desirable. Experience in East Africa region is desirable

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

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The UNMISS is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.