This position is located in the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) in Dakar, Senegal. Under the overall authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and direct supervision of the Director Political Division, the Senior Information Analyst will serve as Chief of Research and Analysis Unit and be responsible for providing indepth analysis with the view of informing the good offices efforts of the SRSG and to serving the UN system in West Africa, as deemed appropriate.

Thematic areas for research include constitutional reforms, political transition, elections-related tension, political dialogue, social tension, human rights, gender, security, transnational organized crimes (including illicit drug trafficking), arms proliferation, terrorist activities, religious/ethno-political extremism, natural resources exploitations.

Geographic zones include the Mano River Union, the Gulf of Guinea, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin and the Senegambia.

Reporting to the Director of Political Affairs Division in the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the Chief of the Research and Analysis Unit will be responsible for the following duties within the Office: • Coordinate and supervise the activities of the Research and Analysis Unit (RAU), which include the management (collection, coordination, analysis and dissemination) of information in order to support decision-making, policy development and planning within the Office; • Develop a strong relationship with relevant components based on clear delineation of respective functions in consultation with the UNOWAS senior leadership, ensure that priority information requirements are established and maintained, and that priorities are established for information collection and analysis in accordance with the Office mandate; • Lead the RAU in its mandated functions related to providing in-depth analysis with the view to informing the good offices efforts of the SRSG and to serving the UN system in West Africa, as deemed appropriate, including establishing strong working relationships with relevant states’ authorities and other actors; • Represents the RAU at the statutory meetings; Ensure appropriate orientation of the gathering of comprehensive information about events or actions that may affect the successful implementation of the Office’s mandate or UN presence in the countries and/or region; • Oversee the monitoring of a wide spectrum of information sources including Missions daily and/or weekly situation reports, Peace and Development Advisors’ reports, open sources and interaction with government officials and civil society organisations; • Oversee the preparation of continuous risk analyses and threat assessments; • Host regular Integrated Assessment Working Group Meetings with other regional offices and UNCT based in Dakar; • Prepare, implement and monitor the RAU work plan, Supervise and provide guidance to the Information Analyst including through the time processing of performance tools (e-pas) • Manage the recruitment and selection of staff of the Unit in consultation with the Director of Political Affairs Division; • Oversee the submission of the RAU RBB and performance reporting.

Ensure the timely production and quality of products generated by the Unit; • Provide briefings to senior UN staff and visiting delegations as required; • Support and liaise closely with the UN Crisis Management Team and respond to specific incidents as required; • Maintain contact with the other offices and agencies on a regular basis to indicate, and respond to, needs that may arise; • Ensure that the appropriate level of confidentiality for the Analytical Unit products is maintained; • Prepare standard operating procedures for the work of the Unit, as required; • Perform other relevant duties as directed by the appropriate leadership.

PROFESSIONALISM – Strong analytical skills, and experience in information collection and management.

Excellent drafting and editing skills with the proven ability to produce cogent reports and edit the work of others.

Ability to develop information collection and assessment plans that support the mandate of the peacekeeping operation and its strategic objectives. Proven ability to integrate different perspectives inter alia political, civil affairs, military, police, security, humanitarian, human rights, rule of law, gender, child protection, development, DDR, and electoral affairs, into analytical products. Proven ability in conducting research and drafting and preparing various sensitive and confidential analytical and operational correspondence/reports and presentations in a fast-paced and high-stress environment.

Ability to coordinate with many different actors in the Mission and the UN System and with key actors in West Africa to develop and foster collaboration and contact networks; and to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and maintain effective working relations with people of different national, professional and cultural backgrounds.

Capable of identifying, articulating and defending complex concepts, issues and recommendations. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions and/or recommendations. Ability to identify trends and to forecast.

Understanding of information data management methodologies and information technology initiatives. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; and 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.

Works effectively with people from all backgrounds and treats all people with dignity and respect.

Examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses. COMMUNICATION – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks 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. Ability to communicate regularly and effectively with colleagues in remote locations through telephonic and electronic media.

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 clients.

JUDEGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING – Identifies key issues in complex situations, and comes to the heart of problems quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

BUILDING TRUST – Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; operates with transparency; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social sciences, international relations, law, public administration, economics or related field.

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international affairs, academic research, diplomacy, development, security, or foreign relations, including in senior advisory/managerial capacities.

Experience with early warning and/or protection of civilians’ strategies or operations is required. Experience working with the major civilian and uniformed occupational areas of multi-dimensional peacekeeping or otherwise to have shown a capacity to operate effectively in an integrated civilian-military-police context is desirable.

Experience working in conflict and post conflict environment is desirable. UN peacekeeping or other field operation experience is desirable. Management and leadership experience is desirable. Experience in information management/policy analysis and/or strategic development in an advisory/managerial position is desirable.

Ability to build and maintain successful working relationships, both inside and outside the Mission is desirable. A clear understanding of the region and the culture and previous experience in the region is desirable.

• This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2024.

If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• 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.

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.

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.