Senior Political/Liaison Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Asia-Pacific Division of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) of the United Nations. The UN aims to maintain international peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, promote sustainable development, and uphold human rights. The organization operates globally, with a presence in numerous countries and a diverse workforce dedicated to addressing complex global challenges. The UN's mission is to foster international cooperation and ensure that nations work together to solve pressing issues affecting humanity.

Job Overview:
The Senior Political/Liaison Officer will play a crucial role in advancing the Comprehensive Partnership between the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This position requires a strategic thinker who can formulate and implement political affairs strategies and programs that align with the UN's objectives in the ASEAN region. The officer will be responsible for planning and coordinating UN programs that necessitate interdepartmental and interagency collaboration, ensuring that the UN's partnership with ASEAN is effectively executed. The role involves monitoring political developments in the ASEAN region, analyzing trends, and providing early warning advice to UN Senior Officials. The officer will also prepare essential documentation for high-level meetings, conduct in-depth research, and propose policy directives to address regional issues. This position demands strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills to foster collaboration between the UN and ASEAN member states, ensuring that joint activities and reports are effectively coordinated and implemented.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Political/Liaison Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Formulating and implementing political affairs strategies and programs related to the UN's Comprehensive Partnership with ASEAN.
• Planning and coordinating UN programs requiring interdepartmental and interagency involvement.
• Monitoring and assessing political activities in the ASEAN region, providing recommendations for UN engagement.
• Analyzing political events and trends to provide early warning advice to senior officials.
• Preparing briefing notes, speeches, and other documentation for high-level meetings.
• Conducting research and analysis on sensitive issues related to the ASEAN region.
• Proposing policy directives and action plans for addressing regional challenges.
• Coordinating ASEAN-UN collaborative activities and events.
• Acting as a focal point for information collection and reporting in collaboration with UN entities. 1
• Developing and maintaining high-level relationships with ASEAN officials and advising on mutual concerns. 1
• Regularly meeting with UN entities and ASEAN officials to coordinate joint activities. 1
• Serving as a senior presenter and trainer in relevant courses. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in political science, international relations, or a related field, with a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in advisory and managerial roles. The ideal candidate should have experience in formulating political strategies, advising senior officials, and building relationships with diverse stakeholders. Additionally, experience in coordinating interagency activities and familiarity with data analytics or related fields is desirable. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international economics, international relations, law, public administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience at both national and international levels in advisory and managerial positions related to political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, or conflict resolution. Experience in formulating political strategies and advising senior officials is highly desirable, as is experience in building relationships and liaising with a wide range of stakeholders. Additionally, experience coordinating activities that require interagency involvement is beneficial, along with familiarity in data analytics or related areas.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign staff to various activities or offices of the United Nations. Staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.