Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This post is located in the Security council Secretariat Branch (SCSB) of the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) at Headquarters in New York. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Security Council Secretariat Branch, the incumbent reports directly to a Senior Political Affairs Officer.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they relate to the countries and thematic mandates on the agenda of the Security Council related to the maintenance of international peace and security.
- Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies and provides inputs on those issues to senior officials.
- Drafts notes, activity reports, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence on sensitive and high profile matters of concern to the Security Council for senior UN officials.
- Monitors political developments at national and regional levels that could become a threat to international peace and security.
- Maintains contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and Member States on coordination and policy matters.
- Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN entities, government and nongovernmental organizations.
- Participates in missions of the Security Council and its subsidiary organs to countries within assigned area of responsibility.
- Participates in the provision of secretariat services to the Security Council, its subsidiary bodies, conferences, meetings, and /or special missions.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Excellent knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the Security Council. Ability to organize and summarize information required for the preparation of relevant documentation for the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies. Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area. 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& 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 two additional years of 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, conflict resolution or related area is required.
- A minimum of one year of experience in servicing intergovernmental bodies, preferably the Security Council or its subsidiary organs, is required.
- Experience in drafting analytical notes and reports is required.
- Experience with UN budgetary processes is desirable.
- Experience working in providing substantive support to senior leadership is desirable.
- A minimum of one year of experience working in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or similar international organization is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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