Director of the Northern Africa Division

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the shared regional political-operational structure of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). This organization is dedicated to maintaining international peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, particularly in the Northern Africa region. It operates under the guidance of the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa and is involved in various diplomatic and peacebuilding efforts across multiple countries. The organization emphasizes the importance of geographic diversity and gender balance in its staffing and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

Job Overview:
The Director of the Northern Africa Division will play a crucial role in managing the work of the Division, which is responsible for overseeing political and peacebuilding affairs in the Northern Africa region. The Director will formulate and implement the substantive work program of the Division, determining priorities and allocating resources effectively. This position requires a deep understanding of political, security, and developmental issues in Northern Africa, as well as the ability to provide timely analyses and reports to senior UN officials. The Director will also engage with various stakeholders, including Member States and regional organizations, to foster collaboration and support for peace initiatives. The role demands strong leadership skills to guide and develop a diverse team, ensuring that all outputs meet high-quality standards and comply with UN mandates.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: managing the work of the Northern Africa Division, overseeing the formulation and implementation of the annual workplan, coordinating activities within the Division and with other UN entities, providing political analyses and reports to senior officials, advising on preventative diplomacy and peacemaking strategies, maintaining contacts with Member States and regional organizations, leading inter-agency task forces, ensuring high-quality outputs, managing administrative tasks, overseeing staff recruitment and performance, and representing the organization at international meetings. The Director will also chair meetings and seminars on substantive issues and perform other related duties as assigned by senior management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy, international affairs, political affairs, peacebuilding, or a related area. Experience in peace and security matters in Northern Africa is essential, along with a proven track record in providing analysis and developing strategies for senior-level political engagement. Candidates should have experience managing diverse teams at a senior level and working in conflict or post-conflict settings is desirable. Strong analytical and communication skills are required, as well as the ability to navigate complex political environments.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in politics, international relations, law, social sciences, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of political and peacebuilding issues in the Northern Africa region.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields, with at least three years of experience specifically in Africa, preferably in Northern Africa. Candidates should demonstrate experience in managing teams and providing strategic analysis in support of high-level political engagement. Experience in conflict or post-conflict settings is also desirable, highlighting the need for practical knowledge in challenging environments.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, along with either French or Arabic. Candidates must meet the minimum required levels for reading, writing, listening, and speaking in these languages as per the UN Language Framework. This linguistic capability is crucial for effective communication and collaboration within the UN and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The job does not specify a deadline for applications, which may indicate a rolling recruitment process. The position is likely to be full-time and may involve international recruitment, given the nature of the UN's operations. The organization emphasizes the importance of gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Additionally, the UN Secretariat is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates are advised to follow all application instructions carefully.