SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

This position is located within the office of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), in Goma. The Special Assistant will report directly to the Mission Chief of Staff.

Under the supervision of the Mission Chief of Staff (MCOS), the Special Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties:

Coordination and Facilitation:
- Provides substantive and practical support to the MCOS in ensuring integrated and coherent functioning of the Mission, through effective direction and management, in accordance with the mandate and Head of Mission's instructions;
- Keeps the MCOS informed on all matters requiring her personal attention, assists in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensures appropriate follow-up, as directed;
- Organizes and manages meetings, official visits and events, prepares written summaries and conducts follow-up activities, as appropriate;
- Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with mission components, the authorities, the broader UN family, donors and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters.

Political Analysis, Advice and Reporting
- Identifies, analyzes and monitors developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the Mission's mandate;
- Assesses implications and makes recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives; Monitors, evaluates and reports on implementation;
- Coordinates/drafts summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary General to the Security Council, as required.

Management:
- Assists in formulating and managing the implementation of the Mission's programme of work, including through support to mechanisms which manage strategic information flows, planning and leadership decision-making processes;
- Assists with information and knowledge management policies, tools and business processes, as well as other administrative activities related to the functioning of the office;
- Perform other relevant duties as requested by the COS.

Professionalism – 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.

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.

Planning & 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Political Economy, International Relations, International Law, Public Administration, or related fields. 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, strategic planning or related field is required. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is desirable. Experience working on conflict or post-conflict issues is required. Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official and/or as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior public official is desirable. Previous professional experience in the Central Africa region is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is required, fluency is desirable.

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.