Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the regional political-operational structure of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, specifically in the Northern Africa Division (NAD). This division is responsible for monitoring and reporting on significant developments in the countries it oversees, and it recommends actions to address related challenges, risks, and threats. The NAD also provides support to various UN missions, including the Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara (OPESG), the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The organization is committed to promoting peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in the region and operates with a focus on collaboration and coordination with other sectors of the UN and international organizations.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in gathering, selecting, and analyzing information related to North Africa. This includes maintaining up-to-date knowledge of political issues and trends that affect the countries under the NAD's purview. The officer will assist senior officials by preparing briefing notes, background papers, and talking points, and will provide back-stopping support for UN missions in the region. The position requires active participation in fact-finding missions and supporting senior officials in various meetings and conferences. The officer will also be responsible for preparing meetings for high-level UN officials with representatives from the countries under NAD's oversight. This role demands a proactive approach to understanding the political landscape and effectively communicating insights to inform decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Gather, select, and analyze information on North Africa from various sources, including press communications and publications.
• Maintain current knowledge of political issues and trends affecting the countries and thematic mandates relevant to the position.
• Assist senior officials by preparing briefing notes, background papers, and talking points.
• Provide back-stopping support for UN missions in the region, focusing on assigned areas of their mandates and operations.
• Maintain contacts with other UN sectors, international organizations, and Member States regarding coordination and policy matters.
• Participate in fact-finding and other missions to countries within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Support senior officials' participation in meetings of the Security Council, General Assembly, and other relevant bodies.
• Prepare meetings for the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Under-Secretary-General with officials from countries under NAD's purview.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, 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. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of political dynamics and possess the ability to analyze complex information effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related fields is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by two additional years of qualifying experience.

Experience:
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 is required. Experience specifically related to political or peace and security issues in North Africa or the wider region is essential. Additionally, experience in supporting field operations at the international level, such as special political missions or peacekeeping operations, is desirable. Candidates should also have experience providing support and advice to senior officials in international or multigovernmental organizations.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Proficiency in either French or Arabic is desirable, with a minimum UN Level II proficiency in these languages.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 8 October 2026, 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. This temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, but it does not affect the future incumbency of the post. Eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to 'internal candidates' who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The organization does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.