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SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

New York City

  • Organization: UN - United Nations
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
    • International Relations
    • Political Affairs
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Middle East Division (MED) of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) at Headquarters in New York. Under the direct supervision of the Director and Deputy Director for MED and reporting to the Senior Political Affairs Officer/Team Leader of the Gulf Team, the incumbent will support the planning, start-up and implementation of United Nations operations in Yemen, including those of the United Nations Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement.

Responsibilities

The Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Lead the provision of technical and substantive advice and assistance in the daily management and backstopping support to new United Nations special political operations in Yemen, particularly the United Nations Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA), including through preparation of budgets, planning frameworks and guidance, development or update of a mission concepts, frameworks and operations guidance, coordination across as well as development of integrated contingency planning and provision of guidance to senior management and others on planning and operational implementation issues;
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political and security issues, in general, and as they affect Yemen and the wider Gulf region, in particular;
- Coordinate inputs and activities of DPPA-DPO and related offices in DOS in support of UNMHA start-up plans, coordinate and manage projects and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement;
- Liaise with other UN entities, as appropriate, on matters relevant to UNMHA and Yemen, and represent MED in interdepartmental/agency working groups;
- Contribute to the drafting of reports, notes, background papers, talking points, code cables, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials;
- Attend Security Council, General Assembly, negotiating bodies, conferences and meetings on Yemen and the wider region, as required.
- Monitor actions taken regarding Yemen and the Gulf region by intergovernmental groups, UN entities, government and non-governmental organizations and maintains contacts with them.
- Participate in fact-finding and other missions to Yemen and neighbouring countries, as required.
- Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM:
- Knowledge of political developments in Yemen and the wider Gulf region, as well as analytical and research skills in this regard;
- Knowledge of special political missions and peacekeeping operations and backstopping functions;
- Knowledge of mission start-up, implementation and operational functions;
- Knowledge of negotiation, planning and operational implementation of ceasefires;
-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;
-Treatment of confidential information with appropriate care and discretion;
-Knowledge of the work of the United Nations and of the functions, priorities and policies of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations at both Headquarters and in the field.


• 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.

• 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.

• BUILDING TRUST:
- Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion. Manages in a deliberate and predictable way;
- Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda. Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients. Gives proper credit to others;
- Follows through on agreed upon actions. Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

• 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 relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in any of these fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience in dealing with peace and security issues in Yemen, the Gulf region and/or the Middle East is required.

Experience in establishing and backstopping of a special political or peacekeeping mission is required.

Experience with budget preparations is required.

A minimum of two years field experience serving in peace operation in a civilian (non-uniformed) capacity of the United Nations or a similar international organization, preferably in the Middle East region, is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

This position is financed through extra-budgetary funds and is temporarily available for a period of 1 year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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