SPECIAL ASSISTANT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the office of the Chief of Staff with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Special Assistant will be based in Kinshasa and will report to the Chief of Staff (COS).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Special Assistant, Political Affairs P-4 will be responsible for the following duties: Supports the COS and her office in the execution of her duties: Coordination and facilitation – Provides substantive and practical support in the implementation of the Mission’s mandate as given by the Security Council. Brings to the attention of the COS all matters requiring the COS personal attention, assists in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensures appropriate follow-up, as directed. Reviews incoming correspondences, documents and transactions, forwarding to appropriate units, ensuring prompt action is taken and following up on the status of implementation. Drafts correspondence for the COS’ signature, as well as other documentation including code cables and reports to the Security Council. Monitors on implementation: coordinates summary and analytical report including, but not limited to, situation report, briefing notes, notes to file, code cables, and inputs for reports of the Secretary General to the Security Council. Liaises and maintains close working relationships with officials of state institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, religious actors. Organizes and manages conferences, meetings, seminars and workshops as directed by the COS. Coordinates, as required, actions related to the transition towards the United Nations agency-led commitment, in line with the mission’s mandate and the situation in the country. This includes liaising with bilateral donors and other international organizations, with a view to realizing greater synergy and coordination, specifically regarding post-mission activities in the country. Assesses implications and, in consultation with pillar’s components makes recommendations on possible policies, strategies, and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives. Performs other duties, as assigned by the COS and her Deputy.

Competencies

Professionalism: Proven capacity to work under pressure and delivering within tight deadlines. Ability to respond expeditiously to diverse requests from multiple stakeholders and to set priorities. 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. 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. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, international relations or a related field is required. 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy or related field is required. A minimum of two years of experience working as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior public official in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Extensive Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis and reporting is required. Solid Experience in the area of strategic planning, budget, programme criticality, risk management is required. Experience in developing cross-cutting policies and collaborating with multiple components including Force and Police is required. Experience in managing programmes and organizing high-level visits is required. Experience in recruitment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French and English 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. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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.