Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSC/RC/HC) in Jerusalem. The incumbent reports to the DSC/RC/HC and works in close collaboration with supporting teams (RCO, OCHA, UNCT and HCT) as required to support the DSC/RC/HC in implementing his/her duties.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties: Coordination and Facilitation – Provide substantive and practical support to the DSC/RC/HC in implementing his/her responsibilities; – Keep the DSC/RC/HC informed on all matters requiring her/his personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed; – Interact with counterparts on behalf of the DSC/RC/HC in a professional manner; – Organize and participate in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with partners on humanitarian, development and emergency relief related matters. – Organize and manage the DSC/RC/HC meetings and Mission events, prepare written summaries and conduct follow-up activities, as appropriate; – Coordinate/draft correspondence for the DSC/RC/HC signature. Political and Humanitarian Analysis, Advice and Reporting – Identify, analyze and monitor political, development, humanitarian, and other emerging issues in the OPT; – Assess implications and make recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives; – Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation; – Coordinate/draft summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, talking points, speeches, notes to file, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council. – Serves as focal point on humanitarian and UN policy and operational issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., provides information and advice on a range of related issues. Management – Assist in formulating and managing the implementation of the office’s programme of work, including through support to planning and budgetary processes in close coordination with other units at UNSCO; – Day-to-day planning and management of the office of the DSC/RC/HC; – Perform other relevant duties as requested by the DSC/RC/HC.

Competencies

– Professionalism: Shows pride in work and 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 ensures the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. – Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listen to others, correctly interpret messages from others and responds appropriately; ask 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. – Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identify priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required; allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allow contingencies when planning; monitor and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

Education

– Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field. – A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and 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 humanitarian, development political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field is required. – Experience in analysis, drafting, and reporting is required. – Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization or non- governmental organization is desirable. – Previous experience working in the office of a senior representative and/or as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior representative is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Arabic language skills are an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This job opening is advertised to fill a temporarily vacant position during the absence of the regular incumbent for a period of one year or longer. The regular incumbent is entitled to return to this position at the expiry of the temporary vacancy period. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. External candidates will be administered in line with ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.2. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31st July 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Angola,Belize,Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,Dominica,Equatorial Guinea,Grenada,Guinea-Bissau,Kiribati,Lao People’s Democratic Republic,Liechtenstein,Marshall Islands,Nauru,Palau,Papua New Guinea,Qatar,Sao Tome and Principe,Timor-Leste,Tuvalu,United Arab Emirates,Vanuatu,Andorra,Antigua and Barbuda,Bahrain,Brunei Darussalam,China,Cuba,Germany,Hungary,Indonesia,Israel,Japan,Kuwait,Libya,Malta,Micronesia (Federated States of),Monaco,Oman,Panama,Paraguay,Republic of Korea,Saint Lucia,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,Saudi Arabia,Singapore,Solomon Islands,Somalia,Turkmenistan,United States of America.

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.