POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) was established by Security Council resolution 2476 and is mandated to promote and strengthen political stability and good governance; including the rule of law, preserving and advancing a peaceful and stable environment, supporting an inclusive inter-Haitian national dialogue, and protecting and promoting human rights in Haiti.

The Political Affairs Officer will be based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and within delegated authority the incumbent will report to the Senior Political Affairs Officer under the overall supervision of the Principal Political / Good Governance Officer.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer:
• Assists in the formulation of political strategies to promote the effective implementation of the Mission's political and good governance mandate; assists in the development of a vision and proposes direction for work, directives and plan of action for immediate and long range solutions to political problems in general and in specific thematic areas; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.
• Produces analysis on thematic issues related to economic and social development, elections and security cooperation, organized crime, paying particular attention to the linkages between the political and business sectors.
• Builds and maintains relationships with key political and civil society stakeholders in the country and develops external partnerships in support of the Mission's strategic goals.
• Monitor developments related to the situation of illicit financial flows, money laundering and the financing of criminal activities in Haiti, cooperate with relevant international and bilateral partners on these issues, and prepare analytical notes with recommendations for possible actions by the United Nations.
• Incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit.
• Drafts clearly and succinctly in preparing briefing notes and talking points and/or speeches and provides continuous guidance and advice to senior staff on political, social, economic and outreach issues; Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political issues in Haiti; is able to edit and to work with the team in producing high quality analysis and other written products.
• Leads and directs a work team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.
• Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the political team and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Political and Good Governance Service.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the work of the United Nations, in particular related to peace operations, peacebuilding, sustainable development and post-conflict stabilization. Ability to evaluate political situations and challenges linked to good governance and to build effective relations with local stakeholders in order to identify appropriate solutions; Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system; 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.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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.

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.

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) degree in political science, economic governance, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, economics, development management, conflict resolution, public affairs or related area is required.

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

Experience working to support political processes in a transition setting, including providing political facilitation directly with the parties in conflict is desirable.

Experience with providing political analysis on issues related to the economic, political or security governance is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• Fully vaccinated status for COVID-19 or willingness to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 may be required for this position.

• 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.

• 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.

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.