Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a specialized agency established in 1997, operating under the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). Its mission is to eliminate the threats posed by mines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices. UNMAS coordinates United Nations mine action efforts, leads operational responses at the country level, and supports the development of standards, policies, and norms related to mine action. The organization operates under legislative mandates from both the General Assembly and the security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Council, responding to specific requests for support from the Secretary-General or designated officials. UNMAS is committed to ensuring safety and security in conflict-affected areas and works collaboratively with various stakeholders to achieve its objectives. For more information, visit www.unmas.org.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role within the Policy, Advocacy and Donor Relations and Outreach Section (PADROS) of UNMAS. This position requires a deep understanding of political issues, particularly those affecting mine action. The incumbent will be responsible for gathering, selecting, and analyzing information from various sources, including press communications and publications. The officer will maintain up-to-date knowledge of political events and trends related to mine action, providing insights and advice to senior officials and colleagues in missions and the Secretariat. The role also involves monitoring national and regional developments, providing technical support for the implementation of mine action mandates, and maintaining contacts with other UN sectors, international organizations, and governments. The officer will participate in fact-finding missions, prepare meetings for senior officials, and analyze data to identify trends that will inform decision-making and reporting. This position demands a proactive approach to addressing complex political issues and requires strong analytical and communication skills.

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

• Gathering, selecting, and analyzing information from communications and publications related to political issues and mine action.
• Maintaining current knowledge of events and trends affecting mine action and providing relevant inputs to senior officials.
• Monitoring developments at national and regional levels and advising field missions and UN agencies on mine action.
• Providing technical and substantive support for the implementation of mine action mandates.
• Maintaining contacts with other UN sectors, international organizations, and governments regarding coordination and policy matters.
• Monitoring actions taken by intergovernmental groups and organizations in the mine action sector.
• Classifying and storing information related to mine action in computerized databases.
• Participating in fact-finding missions to countries within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Providing secretariat services to the Inter-Agency Coordination Group for Mine Action (IACG-MA) and preparing meetings for senior officials. 1
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and providing insights through data visualization methods. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, or development management. The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in these fields, with a focus on political analysis and coordination. Experience in mine action is desirable, as is experience in coordinating inter-agency and inter-governmental processes. Candidates should demonstrate a high level of professionalism, analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for this role.

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. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complex political and legal frameworks that govern mine action and related activities.

Experience:
The position requires 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. Additionally, two or more years of experience specifically in mine action is desirable. Candidates should have experience coordinating inter-agency and inter-governmental processes, which is essential for effective collaboration and communication within the UN system and with external partners.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is considered an asset, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with French-speaking stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is funded through Extra-budgetary funds and is initially for a period of one year. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, encouraging applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including women and underrepresented groups. The recruitment process adheres to the principles of fairness and equality, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.