Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC), which is a multi-party entity reporting to the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG). The UNOCC is responsible for providing global situational awareness, crisis and risk management, and facilitating cross-pillar analysis and decision-making within the UN. It operates under the Office of Coordination and Shared Services (OCSS) and collaborates with various UN departments, including the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations. The UNOCC aims to support senior UN leadership by conducting research and integrated analysis on critical issues, ensuring that decision-makers are equipped with analytically driven products. The organization emphasizes the importance of gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusion in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer position entails a range of responsibilities focused on gathering, selecting, and analyzing information on countries and regions of interest to the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG). The officer will be expected to maintain up-to-date knowledge of political, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and economic trends, providing insights that inform decision-making at the highest levels of the UN. This role requires the ability to analyze data and present findings through various visualization methods, contributing to data-driven planning and reporting. The officer will also engage with various UN entities and external organizations to monitor political developments and provide technical support to Joint Mission Analysis Centres (JMACs) in peacekeeping missions. The position demands a proactive approach to identifying trends and patterns in political issues, ensuring that the UN leadership is well-informed and prepared to respond to crises effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Gather, select, and analyze information on countries and regions of interest to DPO and EOSG, utilizing data from relevant UN entities, communications, publications, and external sources.
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns, providing insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of political issues affecting regions of interest and provide inputs to senior officials.
• Monitor national and regional political developments, linking with field missions and UN agencies.
• Provide technical and substantive backstopping to JMACs in peacekeeping missions.
• Maintain contacts with other sectors of the UN and international organizations on coordination and policy matters.
• Monitor actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, and NGOs.
• Classify and store data for analysis on relevant countries or regions.
• Participate in assistance missions to JMACs in peacekeeping missions. 1
• Provide secretariat services to relevant bodies, conferences, and meetings. 1
• Prepare background analysis for meetings of the SG’s Executive and Deputies’ Committees and for the SG’s engagement with the Security Council. 1
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess 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. Additionally, at least two years of experience in data analytics and analysis, including the creation of related visualizations, is required. The role demands a strong understanding of political dynamics and the ability to analyze complex information effectively. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, communication skills, teamwork, and planning and organizing abilities, as these competencies are essential for success in this position.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, history, international relations, journalism and media, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of international relations and political affairs, which are central to the responsibilities of the Political Affairs Officer.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, or conflict resolution. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in data analytics and analysis, with at least two years of experience specifically in creating visualizations that support decision-making processes. This level of experience is essential for effectively analyzing political trends and providing insights to senior UN leadership.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is desirable, and proficiency in another official United Nations language is considered an advantage. The ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages is beneficial for engaging with diverse stakeholders and contributing to the UN's global mission.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 30 June 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The temporary nature of this position means that it does not guarantee future employment or incumbency of the post. Candidates must be aware that eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to those based at the duty station, and the position may be restricted to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment practices, encouraging female candidates to apply. Additionally, the organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to maintaining high standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its staffing decisions.