Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job is located within the Mediation Support Unit (MSU) of the Policy and Mediation Division (PMD) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) of the United Nations. The MSU serves as a vital resource for the UN, assisting in mediation and dialogue initiatives globally. It provides technical and operational support for mediation processes, capacity-building, and offers guidance based on lessons learned and comparative analysis. The organization is dedicated to promoting peace and stability through effective mediation and dialogue, and it operates in various regions, focusing on conflict resolution and preventive diplomacy.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in coordinating the DPPA's Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisors, ensuring that the UN is prepared to provide operational support for mediation, preventive diplomacy, and good offices efforts. The officer will maintain a comprehensive understanding of political and mediation-related issues, particularly concerning Latin America and the Caribbean. This position requires the officer to monitor political developments, provide technical support for the implementation of MSU mandates, and maintain contacts with various sectors of the UN and other international organizations. The officer will also be involved in fact-finding missions and will prepare meetings for senior UN officials, contributing to data analysis and visualization to support decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: serving as the Coordinator of the DPPA's Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisors; maintaining up-to-date knowledge of political events and mediation issues; advising field missions and UN agencies on political developments; providing technical and substantive support for MSU mandates; monitoring mediation initiatives by various organizations; managing information databases related to disputes and mediation processes; participating in missions to Latin America and the Caribbean; providing secretariat services for UN meetings; preparing reports and data visualizations; and performing 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" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, development management, conflict resolution, or a related area. Additionally, at least one year of field experience in a conflict or post-conflict context is required. Experience in providing mediation support and advice to senior leadership is essential, preferably within the Latin America and Caribbean regions. Candidates should also have experience in coordinating a roster of experts related to international peace and security.

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

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience, with a focus on political science, international relations, or related fields. Candidates should have substantial experience in conflict resolution and mediation support, particularly in a field context. Experience in advising senior officials and coordinating expert teams is also necessary.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in English and Spanish is required. Candidates must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages, as per the UN Language Framework standards.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 5 February 202

• If the selected candidate is a current UN staff member, the selection will be treated as a temporary assignment. The position may be limited to internal candidates and is subject to funding availability. The UN encourages applications from candidates from under-represented Member States. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process adheres to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with a focus on geographic diversity.