Political Affairs Officer, P3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). The incumbent oversees the implementation of extrabudgetary activities in support of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) as part of the BWC team within the UNODA Geneva Branch. The incumbent reports to a Political Affairs Officer within the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the BWC. For more information, please refer to https://disarmament.unoda.org/biological-weapons.

Responsibilities

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

• Serves as lead officer for the implementation of extra-budgetary activities in support of the BWC;
• Liaises with the donor and prepares related reports on the status of implementation of the activities;
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to disarmament issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the mandates for which the staff member is responsible;
• Plans, directs and participates in workshops, seminars and other project activities in Geneva and abroad;
• Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of disarmament and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in the Secretariat;
• Monitors relevant national and regional level political developments and provides advice to senior officials and colleagues;
• 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 the implementation of the activities;
• Participates in missions to countries within assigned area of responsibility;
• Participates in provision of secretariat services to 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: Knowledge of disarmament, non-proliferation and international security issues, including the BWC. Knowledge of issues relating to treaty implementation. Knowledge on inter-governmental processes on disarmament and non-proliferation. 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. 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;
• 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;
• Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related area is required. 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 five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience in project management activities, including organization, implementation and outreach on activities and events is desirable. Experience with supporting inter-governmental processes on disarmament and non-proliferation is desirable. Experience with the Biological Weapons Convention is desirable. Experience with providing treaty implementation support is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

Application instructions

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