Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Libreville, Gabon. The Political Affairs Officer will report to the Chief, Political Affairs Service and is part of UNOCA’s Political Affairs Section. UNOCA covers the countries of the Economic Community of Central African States, namely: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: – Supports the Chief, Political Affairs Section, in the overall coordination of the Section, especially in following up on the substantive issues requiring his attention/action. – Compiles UNOCA’s weekly situation reports as well as background notes and talking points for the SRSG’s engagements and that of the Chief, Political Affairs Section. – Gathers, selects and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, in order to keep the leadership of UNOCA regularly informed of peace and security developments and trends in the sub region. – Carries out regular in-depth research on emerging or persisting peace and security challenges facing the Central Africa region or the countries under the purview of UNOCA and recommends options for good offices and other UN actions. regular in-depth research on emerging or persisting peace and security challenges facing the Central Africa region or the countries under the purview of UNOCA and recommend options for good offices and other UN actions. – Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the countries under the purview of UNOCA and thematic areas pertaining to the mandate of the Office. – Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments Central Africa and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues. – Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to Headquarter and field mission/UN agencies active on the ground, through the preparation of regional, country-specific and thematic reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, analytical notes, options papers, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies. – Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters. – Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, government and non-governmental organizations. – Selects, classifies and stores in computerized databases information relating to potential disputes and conflicts involving countries under the purview of UNOCA. – Participates in fact-finding and other missions to countries within assigned area of responsibility. – Participates in the provision of secretariat services to the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC) and for other activities organized/supported by UNOCA. – Prepares meetings of the of visiting senior UN officials in the subregion or with officials from countries under the purview of UNOCA. – 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; 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 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. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in political sciences or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

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 working in Africa or on peace and security issues is required. Experience in conducting research and analyses on political or peace and security issues in Africa is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2024. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening 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 age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening 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.