Job Description

Org. Setting and ReportingThis post is located in the regional political-operational structure of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO), Northern Africa Division (NAD). NAD is tasked with monitoring and reporting on major developments in the countries under its purview, and recommending actions for addressing the related challenges, risks and threats, including through support to the Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara (OPESG), the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The Senior Political Affairs Officer will report to the NAD Director through the Deputy Director. ResponsibilitiesWithin 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 North Africa; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. • Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the Northern Africa Division; 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 interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation. • Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Secretary-General, Senior Advisers, Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General. • Designs political and peacekeeping initiatives; advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new operations. • Leads and directs the work of a 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 programmes. • Acts as coordinator for complex coordination and support missions. • Manages, coordinates, organizes, and supervises research on a variety of political issues in North Africa. • Represents the division at round tables, seminars, and conferences. • Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries from other offices and external parties, including related to political, civilian, military, and humanitarian issues. • Performs other related duties as required. Competencies• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the work of the United Nations, in particular its peacekeeping and special political missions; substantial knowledge of the evolving peacekeeping doctrine and of the priorities and policies of the Departments of Peace Operations (DPO) and of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and their activities both at Headquarters and in the field; familiarity with the political and operational conditions in the North Africa region. Ability to provide high calibre strategic and tactical advice on all aspects of peace operations. 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. • 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. • 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. • LEADERSHIP: 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 improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience in providing support to UN peace operations in the areas of political affairs in or on Africa or the Middle East is required. Experience in peace and security matters in North Africa or the Middle East is required. Experience working in a field operation of the United Nations common system (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN regional commissions, agencies, funds, and programmes) or similar international organization or nongovernmental organization in Africa or the Middle East is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Arabic or French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).

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