Political Affairs Officer, New York

• Organization: DPKO - Department of Peacekeeping Operations
• Country: United States
• City: New York, USA
• Office: DPKO New York
• Grade: P-4

Closing date: Monday, 13 July 2015

Posting Title: Political Affairs Officer, P4

Job Code Title: POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Department/ Office: Department of Peacekeeping Operations

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 14 May 2015-13 July 2015

Job Opening number: 15-POL-DPKO-42943-R-NEW YORK (R)

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

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.

This post is financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations for a finite period of at least one year. Extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Africa 1 Division, Office of Operations, Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Africa I Division assists in providing substantive, executive and operational direction to UN peacekeeping operations and integrated offices in Sudan, South Sudan and Abyei, as well as contingency planning for a possible UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia and support for the implementation of the UN strategy for Somalia in DPKO areas of expertise. The incumbent will report to the UNAMID Integrated Operational Team (IOT) Leader.

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 issues such as refugees and natural resources; recommends solutions/possible action by United Nations.
• Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to provide early warning advice.
• 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 Security Council 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.
• Meets regularly with operational teams including UN staff, national officials as well as military and civilian police officers to plan projects and review project activities.
• 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, other international organizations and governments 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.
• Provides input for assessment of staff to be deployed to important posts in the field (e.g. Resident Coordinators).
• Carries out, in consultation with the Senior Political Affairs Officer, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget.
• Drafts strategies and plans for all phases of operations and participates in the activities of implementation.
• Contributes to the development of doctrine, lessons learned and knowledge management.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism

• Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries.
• Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas.
• 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) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or a related field.
• A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in peacekeeping or relevant field may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution, political affairs or related area.
• Experience working on international political or development management issues is desirable.
• Experience in peacekeeping operations or other field operations is desirable.
• Experience in Africa is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment Method

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

United Nations Considerations

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.

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.

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' hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.