POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

The three (3) positions are located in the Political Affairs and Mediation Group (PAMG) within the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), duty stations Mogadishu and Baidoa, respectively. The Political Affairs Officers will report directly to the Senior Political Affairs Officer. Through the Senior Political Affairs Officer, they will also report to the Chief of the Political Affairs and Mediation Group (PAMG).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, under the direct supervision of the Senior Political Affairs Officer, the Political Affairs Officers will be responsible for the following duties: • Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, i.e., peacekeeping, disarmament, demobilizing and reintegration, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; supports 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. • Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Senior Political Affairs Officer, Head of the Mission and other senior staff. As requested, provides guidance and advice on assigned issues to the head of mission, as well as other selected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning assigned areas of work, status of negotiations, and the approach to various issues. Prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties and manages operations involving several components of a limited nature, such as civilian, military or humanitarian operations. Develops and maintains relations with government officials at the working levels and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. • Participates as a team member on a team which would deal with a variety of political issues in a region and or country or major conflict. Attends meetings to identify the scope of the project, considers methodologies, and participate in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new team. Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. Represents the team at round tables, seminars and conferences. • Supports his/her supervisor in the formulation of the programme of work, budget and medium-term plans of the unit by participating in meetings and compiling or researching issues related to the mission. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and in depth knowledge of political affairs. Strong analytical skills, and experience in information collection and management; excellent drafting and editing skills with the proven ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management or Development, or a 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area, is required. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is desirable. Experience in working in a diverse team is desirable. Experience working with United Nations field operations or similar international or national organizations in a conflict or post-conflict setting 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

• The 3 positions are temporarily available initially for 364 days. If the selected candidates are staff members from the United Nations Secretariat, the selections will be administered as temporary assignments. • While the temporary assignments may provide the successful applicants with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selections for the positions are for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the posts. • Subject to the funding source of the positions, the eligibility for these temporary job openings may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • These temporary job openings 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 ages of separations or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting applications or selections for the current temporary job openings does not delay or increase the mandatory ages of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job openings 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.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.