Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG). OUSG DPPA is charged with the overall policy direction, supervision and management of the Department. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department’s mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Office, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Acts as the principal adviser and assistant to the Under-Secretary-General on all Africa-related matters as well as on electoral assistance matters, in close coordination with the Chief of Office, the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, and the relevant divisions in DPPA and the single shared regional political-operational structure of DPPA and DPO; reviews and advises on the approval of documents, reports, briefing notes and talking points, and supports the Under-Secretary-General in the exercise of her substantive mandate with respect to Africa-related matters and as United Nations system-wide focal point for electoral assistance matters. • Formulates or inputs into political affairs strategies pertaining to Africa and/or electoral assistance matters in close coordination with relevant divisions and OASG; develops a vision or direction for work and creates the conditions to allow this direction to be implemented. • Plans and coordinates programmes and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement. • Prepares, reviews, and/or edits briefing notes and talking points for the Secretary-General, Senior Advisors, Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General for meetings with Heads of State, foreign ministers and other high-level interested parties. • Conducts and directs research, initiates, carries out and/or coordinates in-depth analysis and studies on diverse and sensitive international issues, especially with regards to political matters in Africa and/or electoral processes. Follows up on current electoral trends and political and security problems related to Africa. • Proposes policy directives and plans of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political, peace and security and/or electoral problems in general and in or pertaining to Africa; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of DPPA and special political missions, in particular with respect to or in Africa, as well as with a view to electoral assistance matters; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures to improve the work of the Electoral Assistance Division. • Designs and develops significant policy and programme changes to address evolving needs of Member States in the electoral field. • Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of OUSG DPPA and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning OUSG; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and the Office, including by acting as Officer-in-Charge as and when required. • Develops and maintains relations with officials at the highest levels of governments and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. • Reviews the findings of electoral needs assessment missions in complex countries to assess government requests for electoral assistance and advises the Under-Secretary-General on their approval. • Reviews and advises on technical assistance projects in support of electoral management bodies. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of political, peace and security matters, dynamics and trends across the African continent. Knowledge of electoral assistance matters, including a thorough understanding of the mandate of the UN system-wide focal point on electoral assistance matters and the role played by DPPA in this regard. Ability to evaluate international political problems and issues, particularly with respect to Africa and the work of special political missions on the African continent. Ability to provide sound political advice and guidance pertaining to conflict resolution and conflict prevention efforts, as well as peacebuilding and sustaining peace, with a particular focus on Africa. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. Judgement/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 impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the 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.

Education

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

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. A minimum of three years of providing support to top-level officials in a front office setting is required. A minimum of five years of experience and expertise on political and regional issues in Africa is required. Experience working in/on matters pertaining to each of the four sub-regions of Africa is required. Experience in providing advice on electoral assistance matters is required. A minimum of three years of experience in United Nations peacekeeping operations, special political missions, or similar international organizations or non-governmental organizations or other United Nations field operations in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Experience in management/leadership and supervision of teams is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are un-represented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Jan 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.