Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Social Innovation and Special Projects Team (SISPT), which is part of the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) within the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) of the United Nations. The SISPT focuses on implementing innovative solutions and best practices in peace operations, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of the UN's efforts in maintaining peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security globally. The organization is committed to promoting gender equality and diversity within its workforce, encouraging applications from women and underrepresented groups.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the objectives and workstreams of the SISPT. This position requires the incumbent to stay updated on political trends and developments relevant to their area of assignment, providing insights and advice to senior officials and colleagues. The officer will monitor political developments at both national and regional levels, offering guidance to field missions and UN agencies. The role involves providing technical and substantive support for the implementation of mandates, maintaining contacts with various sectors of the UN and other organizations, and participating in missions to countries within their area of responsibility. The officer will also be responsible for data collection and analysis, utilizing data visualization methods to support decision-making and reporting. Additionally, the role includes direct engagement with communities and uniformed personnel on social service projects, highlighting the importance of collaboration and effective communication in achieving the team's objectives.

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

• Keeping abreast of the latest trends and developments in the political landscape relevant to their assignment.
• Providing inputs and advice to senior officials and colleagues in missions and the Secretariat.
• Monitoring national and regional political developments and advising field missions and UN agencies.
• Offering technical and substantive support for the implementation of mandates.
• Maintaining contacts with other UN sectors, international organizations, and governments on coordination and policy matters.
• Monitoring actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, and NGOs.
• Participating in fact-finding missions and providing secretariat services to various UN bodies.
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and provide insights through reports and visualizations.
• Engaging with communities and uniformed personnel on social service projects. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, development studies, social work, social innovation, international economics, law, public administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of political, ethnic, racial, social, and economic issues that contribute to civil unrest, showcasing their ability to analyze and interpret data effectively. Professionalism, planning and organizing skills, and client orientation are essential competencies for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as political science, international relations, development studies, social work, social innovation, international economics, law, or public administration. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by relevant experience. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of political affairs and the operational environment of the UN.

Experience:
Candidates must have 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. At least one year of experience in a UN peacekeeping mission, specifically working with uniformed personnel, is required. Additionally, candidates should have experience in civil-military coordination and working with troop or police contributing countries. Experience in training design, development, and delivery is desirable, indicating a well-rounded background in both operational and educational aspects of the role.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum level of proficiency at UN Level II for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is considered desirable, also at UN Level II, which would enhance the candidate's ability to communicate effectively within the UN framework and with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until October 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension. The selection process will be administered as a temporary assignment for current UN staff members. It is important to note that this temporary position does not guarantee future employment in the same role. Candidates must adhere to the eligibility criteria, which may be limited to those based at the duty station. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and diversity in its workforce, strongly encouraging female candidates to apply. The organization maintains a non-smoking environment and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.