Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC). This office was established to address the issues surrounding children affected by armed conflict, deriving its mandate from General Assembly resolution 51/77 and subsequent resolutions. The office operates globally, focusing on the protection and rights of children in conflict zones, and works closely with various stakeholders including Member States, civil society, and international organizations.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the OSRSG-CAAC Liaison Office in Brussels. The primary functions of this position include capacity building on Children and Armed Conflict for Member States, Child Protection Advisers, and civil society across various regions. The officer will be responsible for gathering and analyzing information from diverse sources, maintaining knowledge of political developments affecting children in conflict, and coordinating activities related to fundraising and program implementation. The role requires close collaboration with European Union institutions, UN entities, and NGOs to strengthen cooperation and enhance the impact of initiatives aimed at protecting children in armed conflict situations. The officer will also monitor political developments at national and regional levels, providing advice to field missions and UN agencies, and will participate in missions to countries within their area of responsibility.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Political Affairs Officer will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities including: gathering, selecting, and analyzing information from communications and publications; maintaining up-to-date knowledge of political issues affecting children in conflict; developing and implementing programs/projects; coordinating activities and preparing documents for fundraising; monitoring national and regional political developments; providing technical support for the implementation of mandates; maintaining contacts with other UN sectors and international organizations; monitoring actions taken by inter-governmental groups and NGOs; classifying and storing information in databases; participating in missions; providing secretariat services for Human Rights Council meetings; and preparing for events and meetings with officials from relevant countries and UN entities. The officer will also be expected to perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in political science, international relations, law, public administration, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The position requires a strong understanding of human rights issues, particularly those affecting children in armed conflict, and the ability to conduct thorough research and integrate information from various sources. Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders are essential.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complex political and legal frameworks surrounding children in armed conflict.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, development management, conflict resolution, or a related area is required. At least two years of this experience must be at the international level within the UN system or a similar international organization. Experience working with EU institutions and the UN Human Rights Council on issues related to Children and Armed Conflicts is essential. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of experience in developing training and capacity-building initiatives on Children and Armed Conflict for multidisciplinary audiences, as well as experience in political outreach and coordination with international and regional organizations, relevant Member States, NGOs, and academia.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in both languages is required, with a minimum level of proficiency specified as UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages. This bilingual requirement is critical for effective communication and collaboration within the UN and with external partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for an initial period of three months, with the possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position is subject to funding availability and may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and the UN does not require information regarding applicants' bank accounts.