Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Political Affairs Section of the United Nations Regional Bureau for Central Africa (UNOCA). The Senior Political Affairs Officer will report to the Principal/Chief Political Affairs Officer. He/she formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in the mission and in specific areas; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the mission; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: – Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in the Central Africa region; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandate of UNOCA, analyses their implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. – Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of UNOCA, i.e., 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 United Nations entities and regional actors. – Prepares briefing notes, talking points and updated early warning/political/conflict analyses to support the good offices of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. – Designs sustaining peace initiatives; advises on and participates in the implementation of regional and country-specific sustaining peace strategies and frameworks. – 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 Political Affairs Section or UNOCA 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 UNOCA and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Political Affairs Section; 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 Political Affairs Section and other sections and units within UNOCA. – Desk officers in the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (DPPA) 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 UNOCA, senior UN officials, national and international officials to develop strategies for dealing with the causes of conflicts and crises in Central Africa 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.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the political issues related to the Central African Region. Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to 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. 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 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. JUDGEMENT AND 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 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

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. Experience working with a regional setting with the United Nations or another international organization is required. Work experience in Central Africa on peace and security related issues, is desirable. Headquarters level work experience working with the United Nations or another international organization, 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.

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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. United Nations Considerations

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.