Political Affairs Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of Deputy Head of Mission and Coordination of the United Nations Mission in Support of the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA). The incumbent will be based in Hodeidah, Yemen and will report to a Senior Political Affairs Officer, under the Deputy Head of Mission. UNMHA was established by Security Council resolution 2452 (2019) and is mandated to support the implementation of the Agreement on the City of Hodeidah and Ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa as set out in the Stockholm Agreement.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Participates fully in assigned political and operational activities related to the work of UNMHA; Gathers, selects and analyses information received from different sources, including the press and social media, and produces spot reports, analytical notes and background papers in a timely manner; Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the latest political trends and developments in general and in the areas of his/her assignment in particular and provides inputs on issues to senior colleagues in the Office; Prepares analytical reports, sit-reps, briefing notes and code cables covering key political and operational developments. Drafts substantive correspondence as required; Prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties involving several components of a limited nature, such as civilian, development or humanitarian partners; 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 Mission; As requested, provides guidance and advice on assigned issues to the Deputy Head of Mission and other Mission senior officials concerning assigned areas of work, political developments, status of negotiations, and the approach to various political issues.
• Develops and maintains relations with relevant external officials at working level and liaises with them on issues and policies of mutual concern; works closely with the Senior Political Affairs Officer and his/her team and coordinates and consults any political advice to the DHOM with him/her; Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring mission involvement and participation.
• Supports the DHOM 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; Coordinates with other sections of the Mission to request inputs, reviews them, and compiles the Mission’s regular situational reports accordingly; Contributes to the Office’s reporting requirements, such as briefing notes, talking points and notes to file for meetings and briefings held by senior colleagues in the Mission; Performs other related duties as required.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work 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, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience in the Middle East and/or conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Experience serving with the United Nations is desirable. Two years of experience in a United Nations special political mission or peacekeeping operation is desirable. Two years of experience drafting analytical reports and briefing material for senior officials is desirable

Languages

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

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/240056?language=en