Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO) of the United Nations. The UN was established in 1945 with the mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations. It operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various global issues, including political affairs, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. The UN aims to foster international collaboration to address pressing global challenges and uphold human rights.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in advising senior officials on significant political issues, ensuring that the quality of advice and recommendations meets the organization's standards. The incumbent will be responsible for communicating senior-level decisions to relevant desks within DPPA-DPO and ensuring their implementation. This position requires a deep understanding of political dynamics and the ability to analyze information from various sources, including media publications. The officer will maintain current knowledge of political events affecting specific countries and thematic mandates, providing insights to senior officials and colleagues. The role also involves technical support in implementing mandates, maintaining contacts with other UN sectors and international organizations, and monitoring actions taken by intergovernmental groups and NGOs. The officer will draft project proposals and budgets, prepare meetings for senior officials, and compile reports on workplan implementation, among other duties.

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

• Advising senior officials on key political issues and ensuring quality standards for advice and recommendations.
• Communicating decisions and guidance from senior officials to relevant desks and ensuring implementation.
• Analyzing information from various sources, including press communications and publications.
• Keeping abreast of political events and trends affecting assigned countries and thematic mandates.
• Providing technical and substantive support for the implementation of office mandates.
• Maintaining contacts with other UN sectors, international organizations, and governments for coordination and policy matters.
• Monitoring actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, and NGOs.
• Drafting and reviewing project proposals and budgets for extra-budgetary funds, monitoring project implementation, and drafting reports.
• Preparing meetings for senior officials with representatives from relevant countries. 1
• Drafting and monitoring workplans for the office and compiling reports on their implementation. 1
• 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, development management, conflict resolution, or a related area. Experience in conflict prevention, mediation, preventive diplomacy, and peacekeeping is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience drafting sensitive political analyses and diplomatic correspondence, as well as working on peace and security issues related to the Americas and Europe and Central Asia. A minimum of three years of experience in a front office supporting UN senior officials is required, and experience in drafting work plans and managing projects is desirable.

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. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as political science, international relations, law, or conflict resolution. Candidates should have substantial experience in conflict prevention and mediation, as well as in drafting political analyses and correspondence. Experience in supporting senior UN officials and managing projects is also necessary.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French, Spanish, or Russian are desirable languages, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in these languages.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, and staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in accordance with established rules. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and the UN is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Candidates from underrepresented member states are strongly encouraged to apply. The position may involve an initial probationary period of one year.