This position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG) for the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). The Political Affairs Officer reports directly to the Chief of Office, OUSG/DPPA. The Office of the USG DPPA is charged with the overall policy direction, supervision and management of the Department.
The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
•Reviews and monitors activities in the Middle East; assesses trends which might affect the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues.
•Recommends solutions/possible action by United Nations.
•Analyses political and related events within the Middle East with a view to provide advice to the USG.
•Reviews analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies; reviews notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials.
•Participates in the organization and supervision of Secretariat services required by the Security Council and to other committees and bodies related to its work.
•Acts as focal point in OUSG for the clearance of inputs and advice related to the Middle East.
•Liaises and coordinates closely with the Middle East Division, the Division of Palestinian Rights, and other relevant stakeholders on matters of relevance to OUSG DPPA.
•Provides up-to-date information to the USG regarding substantive political matters in the Middle East and makes recommendations on actions to take.
•Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
•Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise.
•Performs other related duties as required.
PROFESSIONALISM
• Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries.
• Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas.
• 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.
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.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.
Experience monitoring political activities, and making recommendations related to conflict prevention, mediation and conflict resolution is required
Experience supporting senior officials in a front office setting is required
In-depth experience on political and regional issues in the Middle East is required.
Experience providing support to mediation processes is desired
Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
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.
This post is funded through extra-budgetary funding. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.
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.
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.
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.