SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Juba, in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Juba is classified in the “E” category and as a non-family duty station. The Special Assistant reports to the Senior Advisor on Policy and Planning s in the Office of the Chief of Staff, while under overall supervision of the Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for performing the following duties: Coordination and Facilitation Provides substantive and practical support to the COS and Senior Advisors in implementing the Mission’s mandate. Keeps the COS informed on all matters requiring his/her personal attention, assists in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensures appropriate follow-up, as directed. Organizes, coordinates and manages the COS’ meetings, and internal and external engagements, prepares written summaries, Note to File, talking points, briefings and conducts follow-up activities, as appropriate; coordinates/drafts correspondence and decision papers for the COS’ signature. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with Mission components and in particular with the relevant Front Offices, the broader UN family (UNCT/HCT), donors and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters. Supports the OCOS during high-level visits to the Mission as well as high-level meetings/engagements with the host Government in coordination with the Administrative Officer and Protocol Unit. Political Analysis, Advice and Reporting Identifies, analyzes and monitors political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the UN’s mandate. Assesses implications and makes recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives; monitors, evaluates and reports on implementation. Coordinates/drafts summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, notes to file, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, as required. Management Support internal coordination, monitoring and planning of the work of all the Sections that report to the COS, while maintaining a functional relationship with other Mission components. • Support the OCOS in the flow of information within the Mission and with UNHQ as well as external actors. • Provides daily oversight and backstopping for administrative processes in the Front Office of the COS, in close cooperation with the administrative staff, and performs general quality control in OCOS in routine correspondence. • Assists in the selection of new staff. • Supports the Senior Advisors in the OCOS in policy, planning and operational matters. • Performs other relevant duties as requested by the COS.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge in the technical field of work in general and in the areas being supervised (Mission policies, SOPs, operations and planning) in particular; Takes initiative and consistently drives for high quality performance for oneself and colleagues. Strong inter-personal skills with colleagues and contacts, including the ability to manage multi-stake holder processes. Values diversity and works with immediate and wider teams in pursuit of clear objectives. Strong organizational skills; experience in the management and administration: ability to review and edit the work of others. 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 ensures the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listen to others, correctly interpret messages from others and responds appropriately; ask 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. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identify priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required; allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allow contingencies when planning; monitor and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration or other related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, international relations, social science, public administration or related field is required Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Experience working on conflict or post conflict setting is required. Previous experience working in a country implementing the ‘One UN’ reform agenda is desirable. Previous professional experience in the eastern African region is desirable. Experience working in front offices, substantive section and field offices away from headquarters is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in spoken and written English 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

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. Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

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.