Head of Office, Political Affairs

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The incumbent will be the Head of Kaga Bandoro Office and report to the Chief of Staff and the Principal Coordination Officer (Field Offices Coordinator).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Head of Office P-5 will be responsible for the following duties:

• Leads and organizes operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, i. e., peacekeeping, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc. ; pursues 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 and reviews briefing notes and talking points of the Senior Political Affairs Officer, Head of Mission and other senior staff.
• 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 including interpretation of rules and procedure.
• Prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties and manages operations.
• Develops and maintains relations with the government officials at the working levels and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern.
• Leads a team which deals 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 leads or actively participates in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new assignments.
• 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.
• Assists the Chief of Staff and Field Coordination Officer in preparing the work programme of the Region, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Provides substantive support to his/her supervisor in the formulation of the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit by actively participating in or leading meetings, drafting major components and compiling or researching issues related to the mission.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Demonstrates strong political judgement and political acumen. 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.
• 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 the 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 Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Affairs, international relations, Management or Development, or related field is required. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

• Professional training in the areas of planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and/or coordination is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 (Ten) years of progressively responsible experience in political Affairs, civil or humanitarian affairs, programme management, diplomacy, international relations, disarmament, conflict resolution or related area is required. A minimum of two years’ experience in peacekeeping and conflict management in a UN Field office or a similar multi-lateral or non-governmental organization preferably in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. At least two (2) years of experience in the management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams is required. Experience working in coordination with national or international military forces is desirable. Previous professional experience in the Central Africa region in a country implementing the “One UN” reform agenda is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required.

Application instructions

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