POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Political Affairs Section (POLAS) in UNOWAS. The Political Affairs Officer reports directly to the Chief of Unit/Team leader of the Cluster within POLAS.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of Chief of Unit/Team leader of the Cluster within POLAS, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Monitors political and related developments in the context of the mission’s regional peace and security mandate, assesses trends which might affect the political situation and as well as their implications and provides up-to-date information and/or reporting, with recommendations on possible actions, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and advance the mandated objectives. • Prepares and reviews analytical reports and related documentation, including but not limited to, background papers, briefing notes, speeches statements and talking points for the mission’s leadership. Liaises with counterparts and prepares responses to requests, comments, statements and queries of parties as part of management of resources documentation in the assigned area of work. • Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise, providing feedback reporting, as appropriate. • Develops and maintains working level contacts and relations with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and counterpart representatives of governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations. • Provides substantive support to the Chief of Unit/Team leader of the Cluster within POLAS in contributing to the formulation of the Mission’s programme of work, its budgetary framework, operational plans and performance reports, including by actively participating in or leading meetings; drafting major components and compiling or researching issues related to the mission. • 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 Section. • Serves as focal point or liaison for assigned specific functions within the Unit/Cluster of POLAS, with direct responsibility for developing and maintaining close working relations with the relevant Resident Coordinator’s Office and UN country team as well as building synergies and complementarities with regional partners in particular ECOWAS in support of conflict prevention, resolution, management and mediation; and • Assists to conduct regular stakeholder analyses in order to build and maintain a database for understanding the relationship dynamics of various national actors and stakeholders in assigned area of the sub-region, including with civil society actors and political parties representatives; and in this regard building technical working relationships with them in order to assist UNOWAS with a coordinated UN approach to the strengthening of strategic partnerships towards the enhancement of efforts for peace and security. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism – Knowledge of political issues related to the West Africa sub-region is a prerequisite; Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes; Ability to provide solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries; Ability to relate to various issues and perspectives on political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas; 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; and 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 and 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, law, public administration, 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

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of relevant, progressively responsible professional experience including in, political science, international relations, law, public administration, programme management and/or strategic planning processes in peace consolidation settings or related field is required. At least two years of experience in a field mission or working with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes is desirable. Practical experience of using monitoring and evaluation tools is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other UN official language is desirable.

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. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

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.