Political Affairs Officer, P4

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Integrated Assessment and Planning Unit of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG), Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The incumbent will report to the Senior Political Affairs Officer/Head of the Unit. DPO serves as a centre of excellence for peace operations, responsible for preventing, responding to and managing conflict and sustaining peace in countries where peace operations under its purview are deployed, and provides support to other entities on peace and security issues.

Responsibilities

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

• Reviews and monitors activities in the country or region assigned; assesses trends which might affect the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional and national issues; recommends solutions/possible action by United Nations;
• Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to provide early warning advice to DPO leadership;
• 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 and supervision of Secretariat services required by the Department and to other committees and bodies related to its work;
• Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issues of assignment;
• Arranges and participates in negotiations, peacekeeping operations and fact-finding missions;
• Deploys to peace operations as required, to support missions in undertaking integrated planning for transitions in close coordination with relevant mission components and UN partners;
• Meets regularly with operational teams including UN staff, national officials as well as mission and UN Country Team staff on issues related to planning and UN transitions;
• Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and country or regional issues and makes recommendations on actions to take;
• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, including the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the Development Coordination Office (DCO), Department of Operational Support (DOS), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters relating to planning and transitions; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations;
• Undertakes guidance development on issues pertaining to UN mission transitions and planning in close consultation with key stakeholders;
• Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise;
• Carries out, in consultation with the Chief of the Section, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget;
• Drafts plans for transitions and participates in the activities of implementation;
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide 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.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Counterparts in UN Secretariat entities, namely DPPA, DCO, DOS, DMSPC, and UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, in particular UNDP. Staff in the field, in particular the Mission Planning Units and the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Resident Coordinator/(Humanitarian Coordinator) Peacekeeping Force Commanders and Civilian Police Commissions Special Envoys and representatives of Governments Staff of specialized agencies, representatives of non-governmental organisations, regional intergovernmental organisations, delegations, etc. Military and Civilian police commissions Academic community, institutes and foundations Civil society representatives, including religious and indigenous communities Results Expected: Provides and counsels senior officials with well analysed, concise information and recommendations as to appropriate action to be taken; proposes solutions, action, consultation and positions to solve problems.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of integrated planning processes in UN peace operations, within missions and with UN partners, and concepts related to UN mission transitions planning. Knowledge of guidance development process in UNHQ and/or in a mission setting. 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;
• 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;
• 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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related area or related fields is required;
• A first-level 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.

Work Experience

• 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;
• At least one (1) year experience in a peacekeeping operation or special political mission is required;
• Experience in policy and guidance development at UN HQ, in a field mission, or a similar organizational setting is desirable;
• Planning experience in a UN peace operations transitions context is desirable. Strategic planning experience in peace operations context is desirable;
• Designing and delivering training is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable.

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