Political Affairs Officer, Geneva, Closing date: Thursday, 5 March 2015

Closing date: Thursday, 5 March 2015

Posting Title: POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, P3

Job Code Title: POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Department/ Office: Office for Disarmament Affairs

Duty Station: GENEVA

Posting Period: 3 February 2015-5 March 2015

Job Opening number: 15-POL-ODA-39975-R-GENEVA (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

This is an extra-budgetary post authorized by decision of the Seventh BWC Review Conference. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of 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.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) in the Conference on Disarmament and Conference Support Branch, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Chief, BWC ISU.

The BWC ISU forms the core of the secretariat of BWC meetings; maintains and develops the Convention's website; receives and distributes information submitted annually by States parties under the system of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs); collates details of national measures to implement all aspects of the BWC; acts as a clearing house for assistance; interacts with relevant international organizations, scientific and academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations; and attends relevant meetings and events.

The ISU also assists the Chairman of BWC meetings in promoting universalization of the BWC, conducting outreach, maintaining details of progress towards universality and reporting on progress to States parties.

For more information, please refer to http://www.unog.ch/bwc

Responsibilities

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

Contributes to analysis and technical guidance and advice to the Chief of Unit, BWC Chairman, States parties and other stakeholders on all aspects of biological weapons issues;
Represents the ISU in meetings, workshops and other activities and maintains working relationships with key stakeholders, including in policy and diplomatic settings, internal United Nations meetings, and with international organizations;
Participates in the preparation of analytical reports and papers, website content, background papers, talking points, press releases, speeches and other documents for the BWC Chairman and UN officials on BWC issues;
Liaises with, and responds to enquiries and requests for assistance from States parties on issues relating to BWC implementation;
Drafts communications to States parties, international organizations, scientific and academic organizations, and NGOs concerning the work of the ISU and the BWC intersessional work programme;
Contributes to the ISU`s online activities, including the public and restricted-access sections of the website, other IT applications, streaming of public meetings and social media presence;
Performs maintenance of the ISU`s archives and databases, including those for national implementation, points of contact, CBMs and universalization,
Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief of Unit.

Competencies

Knowledge of database administration, social media and other relevant IT applications.
Knowledge of the BWC and related disarmament, non-proliferation and international security issues.
Knowledge of multilateral processes and issues relating to treaty implementation.
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.

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.

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 degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, public administration, life sciences or other related field.
A first-level university degree in combination with at least two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in multilateral disarmament, non-proliferation or international security is required , preferably in an international organization.
Experience in conference and meeting planning, implementation support or project management is desirable.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;
knowledge of French is desirable.
Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

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

United Nations Considerations

Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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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