Senior Political Affairs Officer (Human Rights)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is a United Nations entity established to promote dialogue and understanding among different cultures and societies. UNAOC aims to build bridges between societies and foster mutual respect and harmony among people and cultures worldwide. The organization operates under five main pillars: Education, Youth, Migration, Media, and Women as peace mediators in identity-based settings. UNAOC serves as a convener and facilitator, bringing together various sectors of society to strengthen intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The organization is headquartered in New York, USA, and plays a crucial role in addressing global issues related to cultural diversity and social cohesion.

Job Overview:
The Senior Political Affairs Officer (Human Rights) will be responsible for formulating strategies related to political and human rights affairs, particularly from a gender equality perspective. This role involves developing a vision for the work, proposing policy directives, and creating action plans to address political and human rights issues in specific geographical areas. The incumbent will participate in United Nations system-wide coordination mechanisms focused on religious intolerance and lead initiatives to combat Islamophobia, ensuring that the organization's response aligns with General Assembly resolution 78/26

• The officer will draft reports on the implementation of this resolution, plan and implement operational activities, and conduct training and seminars related to combating Islamophobia and other human rights concerns. The position requires collaboration across departments and agencies, as well as engagement with key stakeholders to promote innovative and rights-based approaches to these issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Political Affairs Officer will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Formulating political and human rights strategies and developing a vision for the work.
• Proposing policy directives and action plans for addressing political and human rights problems.
• Participating in UN system-wide coordination mechanisms on religious intolerance and leading initiatives to combat Islamophobia.
• Drafting reports on the implementation of relevant resolutions and overseeing system-wide reporting.
• Planning and implementing operational activities, including training and seminars on combating Islamophobia and related human rights issues.
• Coordinating and managing programs and projects requiring interdepartmental involvement.
• Preparing briefing notes and talking points for senior officials.
• Managing research on political and human rights issues and preparing reports on regional developments.
• Responding to queries and managing operations involving multiple components. 1
• Formulating the program of work and budget for the unit. 1
• Leading efforts to collect and analyze data for decision-making and reporting. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of intergovernmental bodies and the work of the United Nations, particularly concerning political, economic, and social matters related to Islamophobia. They should have the ability to evaluate international political situations and translate UN mandates into operational activities. The role requires excellent drafting skills for policy guidance and briefings, as well as the ability to advise senior managers on risk mitigation and rights-compliant responses. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to manage complex operations and coordinate various levels of participants effectively. Professionalism, communication skills, accountability, and sound judgment are essential competencies for this position.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, public administration, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, humanitarian affairs, international relations, law, conflict resolution, or a related area is required. Candidates should have experience in developing and implementing change management strategies in sensitive environments, as well as strategic planning and management at the regional or sub-regional level. Experience in promoting policy coherence among large, geographically dispersed teams is also required. Desirable experience includes working within the United Nations Common System or similar multilateral institutions, supervising staff, and expertise in data analytics and digital innovation.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, while knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Candidates must meet the minimum required level for each skill in these languages according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is for an initial period of one year, subject to the availability of the post or funds. 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 organization is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications and the information provided in their applications, and reference checks will be conducted for those under serious consideration for selection.