Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) in the Political Affairs Section in Bunia. Bunia is classified as an “E” hardship and non-family duty station. The Associate Political Affairs Officer reports to the Political Affairs Head of Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Associate Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Political analysis and advice: • Gathers, selects and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press and specialized publications; • Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political and economic issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the countries and thematic mandate areas for which the staff member is responsible; • Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in the field mission and elsewhere in the Secretariat when required; • Monitors national and regional level political and economic developments and provides advice to field mission/UN agencies active on the ground; Political outreach and coordination: • Maintains contacts with other UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, other international organizations and governments, on coordination and policy matters; • Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, government and non-governmental organizations; Reporting and Information Management: • Drafts periodic reports and analytical reports including, but not limited to, notes of meetings, briefing notes, code cables and inputs for reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, as required; • Prepare contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles, and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio; • Selects, classifies and stores in computerized databases information relating to pertinent political and economic developments in area of responsibility; • Participates in fact-finding and other missions inside and outside of the Mission area as required; • Prepares meetings of the SRSG/DSRSG with officials and interlocutors from the host country; Program and Project Management: • Participate in the planning of programmatic activities, Results Based Budgeting (RBB) and Comprehensive Performance Assessment Systems (CPAS) PAS, provide advice to the relevant Political Affairs Officer as needed; • Participate in the development of concept notes, assessment of programmatic activities, project proposals, and budgets, monitoring and reporting as requested; • Liaise with relevant field officers, Mission components and UN agencies for data collection and ensure synergy and complementarity in the implementation of MONUSCO mandate. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Possesses excellent drafting, analytical and writing skills; Is able to analyze information and synthesize it into concise reports, briefing notes and other documents; 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 and 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, public administration, economics, social sciences, development, or a related field is required. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is an asset. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE), or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution, political economy or related area is required. Experience drafting high quality, accurate documents in English and French under tight deadlines is required. Experience in monitoring, analyzing and reporting on political processes and economic developments and dynamics is desirable. Experience in political economy analysis is desirable. Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in political outreach and facilitation is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in both English and French is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.