Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Central and Southern Africa Division (CSAD) of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). 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. Under the overall guidance of the Director and Deputy Director of the Division, the Political Affairs Officer will report to the Central Africa Team Leader/Senior Political Affairs Officer.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Gathers, selects and analyses information on Central Africa, contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the countries and thematic mandates for which the staff member is responsible.
- Keeps abreast of the latest trends and developments in Central Africa and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in missions and elsewhere in the Secretariat.
- Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice and support to United Nations field operations in Central Africa.
- Maintains contacts with other UN departments and entities, other international and regional organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters.
- Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, government and non-governmental organizations.
- Participates in fact-finding and other missions to countries within assigned area of responsibility.
- Prepares meetings of the Secretary-General/Deputy Secretary-General/Under-Secretary-General and other senior UN officials with officials from countries under the purview of the Division.
- Provide political substantive and operational support to the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA).
- Performs other related duties as required
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the work of the United Nations or similar international organizations related to the Middle East and North Africa region. Proven competence, integrity and reliability in performance. Proven analytical skills, with ability to identify problems (political, social, economic) affecting a country or a geographic area; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
- 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.
Education
- Advanced university 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 place of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. A minimum of five years of experience working on issues related to Central Africa, including developing policy recommendations is required. Experience in drafting politically sensitive documents and reports is required. Experience in a political or peacekeeping mission in Central Africa is desirable. Experience in backstopping a political or peacekeeping mission from headquarters is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French, (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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