Political Affairs Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations (OUSG) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The Political Affairs Officer reports directly to the Principal Political Affairs Officer (Chief of Office).

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. DPO also provides guidance and support of military, police, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions. Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Analyses and monitors activities in designated peacekeeping missions, countries or regions assigned; assesses trends which might affect the political, security and operational situation and the impact of intra-regional issues; recommends solutions/possible action by the United Nations. • Analyses political, security and related events within the assigned areas with a view to providing early warning advice to the USG and Chief of Office. • Prepares and reviews analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern to the Department of Peace Operations, the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies, and assists with the identification of departmental priorities and needs. • Coordinates, reviews and drafts background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for the USG. • Participates in the organization and supervision of Secretariat services required by the Security Council and other committees and bodies related to its work. • Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on assigned peacekeeping issues. • Arranges and participates in missions to peacekeeping operations and troop- or police-contributing countries undertaken by the USG. • Meets regularly with integrated operational teams, including UN staff, as well as Military and Civilian Police officers to plan projects and review project activities. • Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive peacekeeping matters, including thematic and cross-cutting topics, as well as country or regional issues, and makes recommendations on actions to take. • Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations, Permanent Missions and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations. • Serves as OUSG point of contact for the operational areas assigned and for the Francophonie. • Serves as OUSG point of contact for all COVID-19 related matters, meetings, and briefing materials. • Performs other related duties as required. Competencies

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. PLANNING AND 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. Education

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.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, security, peacekeeping or related area is required. A minimum of three years of experience working in a front office environment providing substantive support to senior level UN officials or equivalent in a national service is required. Experience working in peace and security in a governmental or inter-governmental setting is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is available for a period of three months with possibility of extension depending on post availability.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • 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 United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions. • Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. • For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. • The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. • Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. 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. Location: New York, USA Deadline: 18/11/2020 Application link: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=144299