political affairs officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Policy Planning Unit (PPU), within the Policy and Mediation Division (PMD) of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs at Headquarters in New York.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief, the incumbent reports to the Team Leader of PPU.

PPU is responsible for a wide range of functions related to policy analysis, development and implementation on cross-cutting peace and security issues and emerging questions relevant to the work of the Department.

Responsibilities

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

• Reviews and analyses key policy and strategic developments and emerging peace and security trends, in particular related to geopolitical developments and their impact on international peace and security.
• Prepares analytical notes and reports on sensitive and high-profile matters of concern to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies.
• Drafts reports of the Secretary-General as well as notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials.
• Represents DPPA in coordination bodies and fora inside and outside the UN system, including inter-agency taskforces.
• Acts as focal point on priority cross-cutting areas and assists in the formulation of advice and strategy for the Department, particularly in relation to A New Agenda for Peace.
• Provides up-to date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Establishes and maintains contacts and deepens partnerships with other sectors of the UN, as well as with other international organizations, in particular regional and sub-regional organizations active in peace and security, Member States, civil society organizations, think-tanks and academic institutions on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations.
• Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise.
• Carries out, in consultation with the Team Leader and Chief of the Section, administrative functions relating to planning and budget.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of cross-cutting peace and security issues, especially related to geopolitics and political analysis. Ability to conduct independent research, including into emerging peace and security trends as well as key cross-cutting issues. In-depth knowledge of the UN System and in particular its work in the area of peace and security. In-depth knowledge of policy planning practices. In-depth knowledge of the work of United Nations intergovernmental organs and Member State positioning on policy issues. Shows ability to represent Departmental positions and work collaboratively in interagency processes. 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, or related field is required.

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, disarmament, security, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience working in intergovernmental processes in the area of peace and security in an international organization is required. Experience drafting major policy documents in the area of international peace and security is required. Experience conducting geopolitical analysis related to international peace and security is required. Experience engaging in reform processes in international organizations is desirable.

Experience in networking with academic institutions, research organizations and think-tanks in the area of international peace and security is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The position advertised is funded through Extra-budgetary funds. 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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings. 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.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.

The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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. 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 Fee

THE 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.

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