United Nations – UN-Secretariat Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2026-2-28 - JPO in Political Affairs

United Nations – UN-Secretariat
Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2026-2-28
TERMS OF REFERENCE
I. General Information
Title: JPO in Political Affairs
Sector of: Political Affairs
Organization/Office: United Nation / Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and
Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) / Eastern Africa Division / Office of the Special Envoy for the
Horn of Africa (OSE-Horn of Africa)
Country and Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration of assignment: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The
extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of
funds, and satisfactory performance
Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are
mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of
the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university
degree (usually bachelor’s degree).
II. Supervision
Title of Supervisor:
Principal Political Affairs Officer
Content and methodology of supervision:
Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior
Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed
upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and
his/her supervisor.
Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve
as a primary platform to evaluate the JPO’s performance.
Under the overall supervision of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, and the day-to-day
supervision of the Principal Political Affairs Officer, the JPO monitors and assesses political
developments in the Horn of Africa, defined for this purpose to comprise the eight members
of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). He /she will contribute to the
work of the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-Horn of Africa) in
providing early warning and developing policy options for conflict prevention/resolution and
post-conflict peacebuilding. He/she will assist in preparing briefings, analytical notes, draft
correspondence and minutes of meetings; assist in drafting reports of the Secretary-General
to the Security Council and the General Assembly on countries/political missions under the
purview of the OSE-HoA. He/she will participate in fact-finding, preventive diplomacy and/or
peacemaking missions, as appropriate. Supervision of the incumbent will be undertaken
through continued discussion of assignments/projects and a review of results with
suggestions for improvement by the Principal Political Affairs Officer.
III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations
Under the guidance of the Principal Political Affairs Officer, the JPO will:
• Identify and analyze political developments in the Horn of Africa aimed at generating
early warning and policy options for conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace-
building;
• Assist in preparing background material, briefings and analytical notes, talking points,
code cables, confidential official communications and other correspondence for the
Special Envoy;
• Provide sound recommendations and technical advice to address issues of concern and
advance OSE-Horn of Africa priorities in the region, including the provision of a “good
offices” function and strategic policy advice;
• Support the UN’s advocacy efforts to ensure that political processes are inclusive,
transparent and their results are sustainable;
• Provide substantive and practical support to the OSE-Horn of Africa field presence.
Participate in fact-finding, preventive diplomacy and/or other missions, as appropriate;
• Support coordination with mediation, elections and constitutional experts in the UN
system to ensure timely advice to OSE-Horn of Africa;
• Perform any other duties as assigned by Principal Political Affairs Officer or OSE-Horn of
Africa Leadership.
IV. Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree in social sciences, political science, international relations, international
economics, law, public administration, development studies or another related field.
Work experience:
Minimum two years of relevant work experience in economic and social development,
programme management, humanitarian affairs, political affairs or a related field is required.
Experience in supporting the office of a senior official is an asset. Experience working in a
post-conflict environment is desirable.
Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this
post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Excellent drafting skills in English
is required. A working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
UN competencies:
Professionalism – Substantial and diverse experience in all facets of the job and working with
a variety of stakeholders; Strong analytical and writing skills combined with good judgment;
Proven ability to review and edit the work of others; Diplomacy and tact; 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.
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.
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 client.
Teamwork - Ability to interact and to establish and maintain effective working relationships
with a team in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Workforce Diversity
The United Nations believes that an inclusive culture attracts the best talent and encourages
all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or
religious backgrounds, to apply.
V. Learning Elements
On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have an:
• Increased understanding of the United Nations system, the workings of a UN field mission
and multilateral politics;
• Ability to monitor progress in implementing peace agreements and the political situation
in conflict and post-conflict situations; identify and monitor threats to peace and
security; protection of civilian populations; and an ability to analyze problems and to
formulate remedial action;
• Improved research, drafting and coordination skills, and;
• Ability to identify issues and provide sound advice to senior officials.
• Improved research, drafting, and coordination skills;
• Increased understanding of multi-stakeholder processes and high-level engagement;
• Ability to assess the impact and implications of regional political and security
developments;
• Improved ability to support substantively and practically high-level meetings,
conferences and events;
• proposals;
• In-depth understanding of mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution efforts.
VI. Background Information
The Office of the Special Envoy was established in July 2011 through an exchange of letters
between the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. At its creation, it
was the Office for the Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan mandated to support the
establishment and maintenance of good and peaceful neighbourly relations between Sudan
and South Sudan through a good offices role, on behalf of the Secretary-General.
In October 2018, the mandate of the Office was expanded to cover the entire Horn of Africa
region, comprising the eight IGAD members: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South
Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. The expanded mandate includes:
i. supporting and assisting IGAD, the African Union (AU) and other relevant
organizations in consolidating recent gains in peace and security in the Horn of
Africa region and enhancing sub-regional capacities to address cross-border and
cross-cutting issues;
ii. carrying out good offices roles and special assignments on behalf of the Secretary-
General, in cooperation with IGAD and other regional and sub-regional
organizations as appropriate, and enhancing sub-regional capacities for conflict
prevention and mediation;
iii. continuing to contribute to good and peaceful neighborly relations between Sudan
and South Sudan, including by supporting the work of the African Union High-level
Implementation Panel (AUHIP); and
iv. continuing to support peace and stability with Sudan and South Sudan, including by
engaging on the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement to End the Conflict in
South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Bitte senden Sie Ihre JPO-Bewerbung direkt an das Büro
Führungskräfte zu Internationalen Organisationen (BFIO) unter
Angabe der Chiffre Nr. 2026-2-28 auf dem Bewerbungsbogen