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 communities and foster mutual respect and harmony among diverse populations. The organization operates under five key pillars: Education, Youth, Migration, Media, and Women as peace mediators. UNAOC serves as a convener and facilitator, working to diminish hostility and promote intercultural dialogue. It is headquartered in New York City, USA, and plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges related to cultural and religious intolerance.

Job Overview:
The Senior Political Affairs Officer (Human Rights) will play a pivotal role in formulating strategies related to political and human rights affairs, with a strong emphasis on gender equality. This position involves developing a vision for the work of the unit, proposing policy directives, and creating action plans to address political and human rights issues both in general and in specific geographical contexts. The officer will participate in United Nations system-wide coordination mechanisms, particularly focusing on combating Islamophobia and enhancing the organization's response to religious intolerance. The role requires drafting reports on the implementation of relevant resolutions, planning and implementing operational activities, and managing interdepartmental and interagency programs. The incumbent will also prepare briefing notes for senior officials and serve as a senior advisor on combating Islamophobia across the UN system, ensuring that the organization's efforts are coordinated and effective.

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

• Formulating political and human rights strategies with a gender equality perspective.
• Participating in UN system-wide coordination on religious intolerance and leading initiatives to combat Islamophobia.
• Drafting reports on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 78/26
• Planning and implementing training and seminars related to UNAOC's work, focusing on conflict prevention, governance, and human rights.
• Managing programs and projects requiring interdepartmental collaboration.
• Preparing briefing notes for senior officials and advising on coordination and accountability matters.
• Conducting research on political and human rights issues, particularly related to Islamophobia.
• Responding to inquiries and managing operations involving multiple components.
• Formulating the unit's work program and budget. 1
• Leading data collection and analysis efforts to inform decision-making and reporting. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a deep understanding of intergovernmental bodies and the United Nations' work related to political, economic, and social matters, particularly concerning Islamophobia. They should have the ability to evaluate international political situations, draft policy guidance, and advise senior managers on risk mitigation. Strong skills in managing complex operations and coordinating diverse participants are essential. The candidate should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication, accountability, and sound judgment in decision-making.

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, or conflict resolution is required. Candidates should have experience in developing and implementing change management strategies in sensitive environments, as well as strategic planning and management at regional or sub-regional levels. Experience in promoting policy coherence among large teams and working within the UN Common System or similar institutions is desirable. Supervisory experience and familiarity with data analytics and digital innovation are also advantageous.

Languages:
English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. French is also a working language, and proficiency in Arabic is considered desirable. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for specific language skill requirements.

Additional Notes:
The job does not specify the contract duration or seniority level, but it is implied that the position is full-time and involves significant responsibilities within the UN framework. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description.