SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
: Job Details :

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS), Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS).DPO provides political and executive direction to UN Peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations.DPET is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of United Nations peacekeeping. In addition, the division has the responsibility to evaluate, at the request of the heads of the departments, how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices, and use that information to guide the development, coordination and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners.ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: •Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plans of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in general and in specific geographical areas; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. •Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the division/department, i.e., peacekeeping, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; incorporates an integrated approach that includes a human rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit. •Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation. •Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Secretary-General, Senior Advisers, Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General. •Designs peacekeeping initiatives; advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new operations. •Coordinates and directs the provision of secretariat services -for the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the Security Council and their subsidiary bodies, and special conferences and summits. •Provides continuous guidance and advice to the Presidents and Chairs as well as other elected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, conduct of business including interpretation of the rules of procedure. •Leads and directs work teams; 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. •Acts as coordinator for complex coordination of relevant input and support to missions. •Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political issues in a region and or country or major conflict. •Represents division/office/mission at round tables, seminars and conferences. •Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries of parties and manages relevant input for support of the operations involving several components, including civilian, military and humanitarian operations. •Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Section/Division or mission; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and unit. •Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. •Performs other related duties as required.•Advises and support the Chief of PBPS and the Director of DPET, in defining, directing, and producing identified lessons learned and best practices, in-depth analyses of emerging policy and cross-cutting policy and doctrinal products relating to peacekeeping; This includes analyses of the types of challenges that peacekeeping operations are likely to face in future and the ways in which the Organization should be preparing to meet them; •Analyses the political and strategic implications of requests and queries made by Member States and provides such assessments to the senior officers concerned within the Department; •Advises the Chief of PBPS and the Director of DPET in negotiations with Member States regarding policy and reform issues, and enhancing the capacity for United Nations Peacekeeping; •Liaises with and represents PBPS and DPET, vis--vis, inter alia, Permanent Missions, United Nations legislative bodies, ad hoc groups of Member States, other Departments of the Secretariat, United Nations Programmes and Specialized Agencies, as well as representatives of NGOs, and academic institutions; •Provides briefings and lectures to military, diplomatic, academic NGO audiences on the subject of peacekeeping, and participates in conferences/seminars and meetings on issues related to the work of the Department; •Maintains continuous contact with a small network of leading scholars in the field of peacekeeping in order to keep abreast of current thinking and writing on peacekeeping issues; •Drafts, or approves drafts of, various documents, such as selected reports of the Secretary- General to the General -Assembly and/or to the Security Council, talking points and briefing notes for meetings with Senior Officials; •Prepares, or approves drafts of, statements and speeches for the USG; •Manages the daily administrative affairs of the Pillar, including supervision of team leaders and front office staff, development of team and pillar work plans; •Advises the Chief of PBPS and the Director of DPET on recruitment, personnel and budgetary matters and fundraising efforts with donorsCompetencies•Professionalism : Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Knowledge of institutional learning, including in decentralized structures. Ability to evaluate international peace and security situations in field of assignment. Ability to develop, present and communicate interdepartmental or system wide policy. Ability to manage and coordinate across different levels and stakeholders 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.•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& 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. •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 improvements; 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. •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 creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, public policy, law, history or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Job - Specific QualificationNot available.Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in policy analysis on issues relating to the fields of United Nations peacekeeping, conflict prevention, peace and security matters, or related area is required.Experience in complex research methodologies and analysis of processes and procedures, for example in identifying good practices is required.Experience in drafting policy documents and engaging with peacekeeping stakeholders is required.Substantive professional experience working in, or closely with, United Nations peacekeeping operations in the field is desirable.Experience addressing human rights issues related to peacekeeping is desirable.LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in both oral and written English is required; and knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.Special NoticeStaff 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.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.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.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.United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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.Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on Manuals in the Help tile 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 FeeTHE 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.