Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located within the Asia, Middle East, Europe and Latin America Division (AMELAD) in the Office of Operation (OO), Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). The Political Affairs Officer will serve as a Desk Officer on the Middle East and North Africa Integrated Operational Team (MENA IOT) and assist in providing integrated operational and political guidance to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The incumbent will report to the Team Leader, under the general supervision of the Director.

DPKO 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. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPKO also provides guidance and support on military, police, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions. (https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/department-of-peacekeeping-operations).

The main role of the Office of Operations is to provide political and strategic policy and operational guidance and support to the missions. (https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/department-of-peacekeeping-operations).

Responsibilities

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

• Monitor operational developments in MINURSO and related regions and countries, reviewing available information in situation reports, cables, correspondence, media, etc. Identify matters for follow-up and the need for action, ensure consultation and input from the actors involved, and help coordinate timely responses to issues and questions raised in the field, as well as monitor and follow up on outstanding issues.
• Maintain 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.
• Keep abreast of the 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.
• Assist in the drafting of various documents related to the assigned peacekeeping operations including briefing notes to the Security Council, talking points, background papers and briefing notes for meetings of senior officials with parties, contributors, Member States, etc.
• Monitor national and regional level political developments and provides advice to field mission/United Nations (UN) agencies active on the ground.
• Provide technical and substantive back up in the implementation of mandates of the Integrated Operational Team IOT/Division.
• Maintain contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters, as appropriate.
• Monitor actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, government and nongovernmental organizations.
• Participate in fact finding and other missions to countries within assigned area of responsibility.
• Prepare meetings of the Secretary-General (SG)/ Deputy Secretary-General (DSG)/ Under-Secretary-General (USG) with officials from countries under the Organization’s purview.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the work of the United Nations, DPKO and familiarity with the Middle East. Knowledge of the procedures of the UN legislative bodies such as the General Assembly and Security Council. 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 & 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 degree) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two 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, international relations, conflict resolution, political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution, or related area is required. Experience working on political issues on or in Africa is desirable. Experience with drafting reports is desirable. Experience in providing support to field operations/activities in an international organisation is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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.

This position is financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. Extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval.

Applicants from troop- and police-contributing countries who are found most suitable and recommended for selection will be given due consideration for positions in a peacekeeping operation or Headquarters support account funded positions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support, taking into account their contribution to United Nations peacekeeping, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 66/265 and 67/287.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

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.

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.