Political Affairs Officer

Posting Title: Political Affairs Officer, P3

Job Code Title: Political Affairs Officer

Organization: United Nations, DPPA-SPM cluster II

Duty Station: New York, United States of America

Posting Period: 30 May 2023 - 17 August 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Political Affairs-DPPA-SPM CLUSTER II.-208526-R-New York (O)

Staffing Exercise: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is functionally located in the Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch (SCSOB) of the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD), Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), United Nations, New York in support of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team established pursuant to resolutions 1526 (2004) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities (hereafter "the Monitoring Team"). The incumbent will report directly to the Senior Secretary of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2255 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities, and the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011).

Responsibilities

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

• Gathers, selects and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press on listed individuals and entities or relevant countries, and making necessary entries into the Monitoring Team's database, with a view to improving the quality of the list and its use.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they relate to countries and thematic mandates on the agenda of the Security Council Committees for which the staff member is responsible.
• Keeps abreast of the latest trends and developments in the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies' area of assignment and provides inputs on issues to senior officials serving the Committees and the Monitoring Team.
• Monitors national and regional level political developments that could become a threat to international peace and security.
• As appropriate, accompanies the Coordinator and/or experts on trips to selected countries: coordinates the necessary logistics and prepares background information for such trips, and upon return prepares notes.
• Provides technical and substantive backup in the implementation of mandates of the Security Council Committees and the Monitoring Team.
• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and Member States and/or panels of experts on coordination and policy matters.
• Monitors actions taken in the area of counter-terrorism by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, government and non-governmental organizations.
• Selects, classifies and stores in computerized databases information relating to the Security Council, its subsidiary organs and the Monitoring Team.
• Participates in the provision of secretariat services to the Security Council, its subsidiary organs, conferences, meetings, and /or special missions.
• Prepares meetings of the Chairs of the Committees and the Monitoring Team with officials from countries under the Organization's purview.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the Security Council and its sanctions committees. Ability to organize and summarize information required for the preparation of relevant documentation for the Security Council and its subsidiary organs. Ability to identify and analyse political, social and technical issues related to the terrorist threat posed by ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban as well as ways of mitigating that threat. 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.

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 a 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.

Planning & 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, public administration or other related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying 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 a related area is required.

Experience in the provision of support to the Security Council or its subsidiary organs is desirable.

Experience in analysing regional threats posed by ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This post is approved as part of a Special Political Mission and is funded for a finite period of one year. Appointment or assignment, or the renewal thereof, is subject to the extension of the mandate and the availability of funds.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 December 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

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