POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER [Temporary]

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Political Affairs Section of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba. Juba is classified as an "E" hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent will report to a Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Political Affairs Officer, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

- Participate fully in assigned operational activities, as applicable, related to the work of the Political Affairs Division, i.e., peacekeeping, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, political and governance institution-building, etc.; supports an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective in the policy, planning and operational activities of the Division
- Identify, analyse and monitor political and related legislative developments, trends and emerging issues, and assess implications and make recommendations to Head of the Division/Pillar
- Prepare summary and analytical reports, including, situation reports, options papers, code cables, and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies
- Draft diverse specialized reports for Mission and UNHQ leadership; prepare analytical papers on a wide variety of subjects and issues in diverse thematic areas, of varying degrees of complexity
- Prepare and disseminate strategic communication products including key political messaging, communication relevant information material, presentations for a variety of audiences
- Prepare briefing notes and talking points for the Head of the Division/Pillar and other Senior Mission Leadership. Prepare responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties
- Develop and maintain collaborative relations with government officials/representatives at the working level, Mission and UN Country Team colleagues and counterparts, civil society actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners on information-sharing, policy and coordination matters
- Participate as a team member on a team which deals with a variety of political issues in a region or major conflict. Attends meetings to identify the scope of the project, considers methodologies, and participates in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new team.
Assist in planning, coordinating, and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and or partner involvement and participation. Represent the team at/participate in visits, forums, dialogues, round tables, seminars and conferences, as required
- Support his/her supervisor in the formulation of the programme of work, budget and medium-term plans by participating in meetings and compiling of research issues related to the mission
- Perform other related duties as required

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated understanding and ability to evaluate political developments and assess their implications for the mission and the work of the United Nations; Ability to engage effectively in political outreach and facilitation; Demonstrated analytical and reporting skills; 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.

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 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

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 combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes), or similar international organization or non-governmental organization, in a conflict or post - conflict setting is required.

Demonstrated experience in drafting diverse specialized reports for Mission and UNHQ leadership, experience preparing analytical papers on a wide variety of subjects and issues in diverse thematic areas, of varying degrees of complexity; experience drafting code cables, talking points, briefing notes is required.

Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, providing advice and reporting is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2023. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

• Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

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.