United Nations
Job title:
POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
Company
United Nations
Job description
These posts are primarily found in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), Department of Peace Operations (DPO), both at Headquarters and in the field, as well as in the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA). They generally report to a Senior Political Affairs Officer or Chief of Section and may lead a unit.ResponsibilitiesAn indicative list of duties for which the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible, within delegated authority, includes: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Political Affairs Officers.) • Reviews and monitors activities in the country or region assigned; assesses trends that might affect the internal political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues such as refugees, drug control, natural resources, arms proliferation and armed conflict; recommends solutions/possible action by the United Nations. • Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to provide early warning advice to senior leadership (e.g., ASG/USG or Head of Mission). • Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials. • Participates in the organization, provision, and supervision of secretariat services required by United Nations inter-governmental bodies, such as the Security Council, the General Assembly and its committees. • Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issues of assignment. • Supports and participates in conflict prevention dialogues, mediations, negotiations, and fact-finding missions. • Organizes, supports and participates in inter-agency mechanisms and, as delegated, leads and coordinates working-level inter-agency discussions. • Meets regularly with operational teams, including UN staff, national officials and other relevant authorities to design, implement and review conflict resolution, conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and sustaining peace, and/or peacekeeping initiatives. • 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. • Carries out, in consultation with the Chief of Section, administrative functions relating to, inter alia, staff /team recruitment and management, section/unit planning, and budget. • Drafts plans for start-up and drawdown of operations and participates in the activities of implementation, incorporating an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other related duties as required.CompetenciesProfessionalism: 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, as well as the equitable participation of groups characterized by race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin 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. 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 impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the 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.EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related areas. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Job – Specific QualificationNot available.Work ExperienceA 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.LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or French is required.AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Eligible candidates will be contacted to participate in the assessment exercise. This assessment exercise may consist of either a knowledge-based test or a simulation exercise. The assessment will take place in two stages from April 7 to April 25, 2025. Successful candidates from the first stage will advance to the second. Each assessment will be available for 30 hours within this period. Specific details on timing, format, and duration will be provided in advance.Special NoticeThe United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations. The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Political Affairs Officer, P-4 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of four months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.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.
Expected salary
Location
New York City, NY
Job date
Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:51:08 GMT
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