Senior Political Affairs Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the office of the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Senior Political Affairs Officer (Deputy Chief of Staff) will report to the Chief of Staff (COS).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer (Deputy Chief of Staff) will be responsible for the following duties: – Supports the MCOS in ensuring the management of the Mission’s activities in line with the strategic vision and direction of the Head of Mission. Formulates political and managerial strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political and managerial problems in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandate of MONUSCO, analyses their implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. – Facilitates the translation of policy intent and direction of the Mission Leadership into viable tasks, working with components to ensure effective implementation; coordinates integrated management processes and mechanisms that enable mandate delivery.

• Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of MONUSCO, i.e., peacekeeping, conflict prevention and resolution, good offices, sustaining peace election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; incorporates 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.
• Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring the involvement and participation of various components of the Mission.
• Prepares/reviews briefing notes, talking points and updated early warning/political/conflict analyses to support the good offices of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
• Leads and directs a work team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.
• Acts as coordinator for fact-finding and other complex missions to different countries of the region, including jointly with other relevant UN entities and regional actors, especially the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
• Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on regional peace and security trends in Central Africa, including jointly with relevant UN entities (special political missions, peacekeeping operations, regional offices of UN agencies, UN country teams, etc.) and makes recommendations to UNOCA and other United Nations entities on actions needed to address emerging or persisting threats.
• Represents the Mission at round tables, seminars and conferences.
• Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries of parties and manages operations involving several components, including civilian, military and humanitarian operations.
• Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of MONUSCO and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the office of the Chief of Staff; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and team.
• Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern.
• Performs other related duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
• Staff within the team, the office of the Chief of Staff and other sections and units within MONUSCO.
• Desk officers in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and other departments and agencies.
• Counterparts in other UN special political missions, peacekeeping operations, regional offices of UN entities and United Nations country teams.
• Senior officials of international financial institutions and regional organizations.
• Members of the academic community, institutes and foundations.
• Civil society organizations, including youth and women’s groups.

Results Expected:

• Provides authoritative analyses, advice and counsel to the leadership of MONUSCO, senior UN officials, national and international officials to develop strategies for dealing with the causes of conflicts and crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a long term and large-scale basis to help resolve and prevent recurrence of conflicts and crises, ensuring input from a wide spectrum of concerned parties, including women and women’s groups.

Education

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

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Extensive experience serving as special assistant or similar in the front office of a senior official in a conflict or post-conflict country is required. Experience working in the United Nations system or another international organization is required. Work experience related to conduct and discipline, boards of inquiry and peacekeeping legal matters is desirable. Experience working in a downsizing/transition context is desirable. Work experience in the Great Lakes region on peace and security related issues, is desirable. Experience working in a leadership role in a Chief of Staff Office is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French, (both oral and written) is required.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/238204?language=en