>PRINCIPAL POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, D1 (Temporary Job Opening)
>PRINCIPAL POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, D1 (Temporary Job Opening)
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located with the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESG-Yemen), a Special Political Mission, in Amman. Under the overall leadership of the Special Envoy and reporting to the Deputy Head of Mission, the Principal Political Affairs Officer will support Mission leadership to coordinate across all the substantive sections of the Mission in accordance with the good offices mandate.
Responsibilities
Within the limits of delegated authority, the Principal Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties:
Management and Coordination of the Political Affairs:
• Serves as Chief of the Political Affairs Section and ensures that the works of all components in the Political Affairs Section across the different locations (Amman, Aden and Sana’a) are in accordance with the overall political objectives and strategy of the Mission; and, in this regard, also engages in regular consultation with the heads of other substantive sections to ensure coordination and strategic and operational coherence.
• Implements the operational activities related to the work of the Mission including fostering dialogue, understanding and cooperation between parties; supporting the functioning of state institutions, including building the capacity of civil society and organizations; formulating programmes related to reintegration and reconciling all segments of society; and support for good governance, the rule of law, national dialogue and reconciliation. Incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict, prevention sensitivity and a gender perspective throughout the Mission's activities;
• Leads the planning, coordination and management of programmes, projects and activities of the Mission and coordinates with other components of the Mission and external to the Mission to produce cross-component Mission-wide assessments, recommendations and/or strategies, as required;
• Monitors and analyzes information and data, managing, coordinating and supervising the preparation of analytical materials and assessments related to political, civil, social, economic and other developments related to the implementation of the mandate;
• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates staff within the Political Affairs Section; participates in selection of new staff for the section; coordinates the activities and personnel of all civilian Mission components;
• Formulates the programme of work, budget and other administrative documents of the Political Affairs Section as well as any related follow-up tasks;
• Coordinates with other substantive sections on cross-cutting issues.
Advice and reporting:
• Identifies emerging political and socio-economic issues pertaining to the mandate; analyzes implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures for the Special Envoy and other Mission leadership; proposes plans of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems;
• Provides input for the Special Envoy’s monthly briefings to the Security Council on the activities of the Mission and any other relevant documents, as required;
• Prepares various written materials, such as reports, statements, notes on meetings, speeches and briefing notes;
• Provides political advice to other components of the Mission.
Representation / Liaison:
• Provides good offices on behalf of the Special Envoy, as appropriate;
• Represents the Office, including Mission Leadership, as required;
• Develops and maintains relations with governmental officials, political actors and leaders of the civil society and Track II partners, as well as regional and international actors and organizations as well as the wider UN system, operating within the region.
Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Shows ability to identify and analyze the underlying causes of instability (e.g. political, ethnic, sectarian, social, economic) and to provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior officials to political issues in Yemen, the Gulf region and the broader Middle East region; Demonstrates sound knowledge of and experience working in or with the UN system, particularly in the area of peace and security, and understands the roles of substantive components within the Mission; Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspective 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.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
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.
Judgement/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 impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the 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: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; Does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.
Education
Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following disciplines: international relations, political science, business administration, public administration, management, law, or related field. 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 fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, conflict resolution, or a closely related field is required.
Excellent and proven management skills are required.
Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis and reporting is required.
Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, special political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.
Experience in political mediation and in negotiations and/or providing political advice to senior officials is desirable.
A minimum of five (5) years of working in or on the Middle East is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
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 2023. 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.
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.
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.
