Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Northeast Asia and Pacific Team in the Asia and the Pacific Division (APD), Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) at Headquarters in New York. The incumbent will report to the Northeast Asia and Pacific Teamleader/Senior Political Affairs Officer. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.
The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) serves as a center of excellence for peace operations, responsible for preventing, responding to and managing conflict and sustaining peace in countries where peace operations under its purview are deployed, and provides support to other entities on peace and security issues.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Gathers, selects and analyses information on the Northeast Asia and Pacific region contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press;
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues in the Northeast Asia and Pacific region, in general, and in particular as they affect the countries and thematic mandates for which the staff member is responsible;
- Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in the field and elsewhere in the Secretariat;
- Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to field mission/UN agencies active on the ground;
- Provides technical and substantive back up in the implementation of mandates of the office, branch or unit;
- Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international, regional and subregional organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters;
- Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, government and non-governmental organizations;
- Selects, classifies and stores in computerised databases information relating to potential disputes and conflicts involving assigned countries or region;
- Participates in fact-finding and other missions to countries within assigned area of responsibility;
- Participates in provision of secretariat services to Security Council, General Assembly, subsidiary organizations, negotiating bodies, conferences, meetings, and /or special missions;
- Prepares meetings of the SG/DSG/USG with officials from countries under the Organization's purview;
- Carries out other administrative functions related to extra-budgetary matters;
- Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
- 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;
- 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) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area, and experience in dealing with peace and security issues in the Northeast Asia and Pacific region is required;
- Experience in and or/familiarity with the workings of the United Nations (or similar international organization) at either HQ or field levels is desirable;
- Experience working with a regional organisation is desirable;
- Experience supporting the Women, Peace and Security agenda is desirable;
- Experience in administrative and budgetary processes of the UN or other internationalorganization is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in both oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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