CHIEF OF SERVICE, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

These positions are located in the United Nations field Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political missions. Typically Chief of Service, Political Affairs are deployed in Mission Headquarters (typically the capital city) and sub-national levels (outside the capital) in regional field offices. The Chief of Service, Political Affairs reports directly to the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) or Deputy SRSG.

- Identifies emerging issues at the regional level pertaining to the mandate; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures; proposes plans of action for immediate and long range solutions to political problems in the region.
- Provides good offices on behalf of the SRSG at the regional level, as appropriate.
- Implements the operational activities related to the work of the office including fostering dialogue, understanding and cooperation between parties; establishing and strengthening the legitimate authority of national authority in the region; building the capacity of civil society and organizations; formulating programs related to reintegrate and reconcile all segments of society; and support for good governance, national dialogue and reconciliation.
- Incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity and a gender perspective throughout the office's activities.
- Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities of the regional office and coordinates with other components of the Mission and external to the Mission as required.
- Ensures that the works of all components at the regional level are in accordance with the overall political strategy of the Mission.
- Monitors and analyses information and data, managing, coordinating and supervising the preparation of analytical materials and assessments related to political, civil, social, economic and other developments in the region related to the implementation of the mandate.
- Develops and maintains relations at the regional and municipal levels with governmental officials, political actors and leaders of the civil society, as well as regional actors and organizations and the wider UN system, operating within the region.
- Provides input for the regional office for the Secretary-General's reports to the Security Council on the activities of the Mission as well as briefings to the Security Council and other such documents;
- Prepares various written materials, such as reports, statements, notes on meetings, speeches and briefing notes.
- Supervises mentors and evaluates staff within the regional office; participating in selection of new staff for the regional office; coordinating the activities and personnel of all civilian Mission components at the regional and sub-regional level.
- Formulates the programme of work of the regional office.
- Oversees the development of quick impact projects and their implementation.
- Provides political advice to other components of the Mission working in the region.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:
Professionalism:
-Demonstrates knowledge of Peacekeeping Operations and related conflict management practices.
-Demonstrates professional competency and mastery of the subject matter and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
-Ability to develop policy and doctrine for peacekeeping context.
-Ability to conceptualize and draft politically sensitive and/or highly complex reports and to review and edit the work of others.
-Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations.
-Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
-Ability to present and defend difficult positions to senior officials, intergovernmental bodies and external audiences.
-Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

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

Accountability:
-Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments
-Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards
-Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules
-Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments
-Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Managerial Competencies:
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

Leadership:
-Serves as a role model that other people want to follow
-Empowers others to translate vision into results
-Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
-Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support
-Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions
-Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo
-Shows the courage to take unpopular stands

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, law, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in Political Affairs, International Relations, Diplomacy, Law, or related areas. At least five years of experience in the United Nations, other international organizations or diplomatic service is required. At least two years field experience in a conflict or post-conflict environment is required. Experience in political analysis and diplomacy is required. Experience managing large organizational units in culturally diverse environments is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised fluency in English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.

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

The United Nations Department of Field Support maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.

The purpose of this job opening is to add additional female candidates to an existing mixed male/female roster of pre-cleared candidates for positions as Chief of Service, Political Affairs D-1 in UN peace operations. This special roster opening is being launched due to the lack of gender parity in the current roster and in support of achievement of the United Nations System-Wide Gender Parity Strategy launched in September 2017 (https://iseek-newyork.un.org/system/files/17-00102b_gender_strategy_report_13_sept_2017.pdf). This Strategy sets annual targets toward parity for individual UN peace operations and has an eventual deadline of parity by level for internationally-recruited civilian staff in UN system entities by 2028.

Please note that this roster is for a specific profile of candidates required by UN peace operations. These positions are located in conflict and post-conflict locations which are typically classified as non-family and/or hardship duty stations. As such, candidates who are eventually selected for positions cannot bring family members with them. That said, the United Nations offers a competitive salary package and specific benefits and entitlements to help staff deployed to non-family duty stations balance work and life commitments. To learn more about the UN salary scale and benefits and entitlements in hardship locations, please visit http://unjumet.net/ohrm_main/index.php. An updated list of UN peace operations and additional information on working in the field can be found at http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/about/dfs/ and http://www.un.org/undpa/en/in-the-field/overview.

All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.