Political Affairs Officer, P-3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Central African Integrated Operational Team, Central and Southern Africa Division, Africa Office, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The Political Affairs Officer will serve under the oversight of the Deputy Director of the IOT and report to a Senior Political Affairs Officer.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates in the daily management of peacekeeping operations, namely the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
• Gathers, selects and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the countries and thematic mandates for which the staff member is responsible.
• Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in missions and elsewhere in the Secretariat.
• Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to field mission/UN agencies active on the ground.
• Provides technical and substantive back up in the implementation of mandates of the office, branch or unit.
• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters.
• Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, government and non-governmental organizations.
• Selects, classifies and stores in computerised databases information relating to potential disputes and conflicts involving assigned countries or region.
• Participates in fact-finding and other missions to countries within assigned area of responsibility.
• Participates in provision of secretariat services to Security Council, General Assembly, subsidiary organizations, negotiating bodies, conferences, meetings, and /or special missions.
• Prepares meetings of the SG/DSG/USG with officials from countries under the Organization’s purview.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area. 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.

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 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 science, political analysis, international relations or crisis management, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution, diplomacy or related area at national and/or international levels is required.
• A minimum of one year experience in a peacekeeping operations or other relevant field experience in a civilian (non uniformed) capacity is desirable.
• Experience in research and analysis on issues related to CAR is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both oral and written English is required. Fluency in French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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