Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: – Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in the Central Africa region; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandate of UNOCA, analyses their implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.

– Lead capacity-building initiatives in support of sub regional actors, in particular the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), for conflict prevention, mediation and peace consolidation, as well as for advancing human rights and inclusive peace and democratic processes. – Oversee UNOCA’s support to the organization of the United Nations Permanent Advisory Committee on Security Issues in Central Africa (UNSAC) biannual meetings, including Secretariat functions.

– Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of UNOCA, i.e., conflict prevention and resolution, good offices, sustaining peace election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit.

– Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring the involvement and participation of various United Nations entities and regional actors. – Prepares briefing notes, talking points and updated early warning/political/conflict analyses to support the good offices of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. – Designs sustaining peace initiatives; advises on and participates in the implementation of regional and country-specific sustaining peace strategies and frameworks. – Leads and directs a work team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.

– Acts as coordinator for fact-finding and other complex missions to different countries of the region, including jointly with other relevant UN entities and regional actors, especially the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). – Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on regional peace and security trends in Central Africa, including jointly with relevant UN entities (special political missions, peacekeeping operations, regional offices of UN agencies, UN country teams, etc.) and makes recommendations to UNOCA and other United Nations entities on actions needed to address emerging or persisting threats.

– Represents the Political Affairs Section or UNOCA at round tables, seminars and conferences. – Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries of parties and manages operations involving several components, including civilian, military and humanitarian operations. – Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of UNOCA and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Political Affairs Section; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and team.

– Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. – Performs other related duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: – Staff within the team, the Political Affairs Section and other sections and units within UNOCA. – Desk officers in the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (DPPA) and other departments and agencies. – Counterparts in other UN special political missions, peacekeeping operations, regional offices of UN entities and United Nations country teams.

– Senior officials of international financial institutions and regional organizations. – Members of the academic community, institutes and foundations. – Civil society organizations, including youth and women’s groups. Results Expected: – Provides authoritative analyses, advice and counsel to the leadership of UNOCA, senior UN officials, national and international officials to develop strategies for dealing with the causes of conflicts and crises in Central Africa on a long term and large-scale basis to help resolve and prevent recurrence of conflicts and crises, ensuring input from a wide spectrum of concerned parties, including women and women’s groups.

Professionalism: Knowledge of the political issues related to the Central African Region.

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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

JUDGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; 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.

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.

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

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

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. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.