Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Special Envoy of The Secretary-General for the Great Lakes, which was established to address the ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The office operates under the auspices of the United Nations and aims to facilitate peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among the nations in the region. The office has been involved in significant diplomatic efforts since the signing of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework in February 2013, which was signed by 11 nations, including Kenya and Sudan, to address the root causes of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its neighboring countries. The office's mission is to lead and coordinate the implementation of commitments under the PSC Framework, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are engaged in a comprehensive political process to resolve conflicts and promote stability in the region. The office is classified as a “B” hardship duty station and a family duty station, indicating the challenging conditions under which it operates, while also supporting the well-being of staff and their families.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in monitoring and analyzing the political, security, humanitarian, and human rights situations in assigned countries within the Great Lakes region. This position requires the incumbent to provide timely and relevant analytical assessments and strategic recommendations to senior management, aligning with the office's mandate. The officer will engage in various activities related to mediation, peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and post-conflict rehabilitation, ensuring that a rights-based dimension and gender perspective are integrated into all operational activities. The role involves preparing a wide range of documents, including briefing notes and reports, and providing guidance to senior staff on complex issues. The officer will also participate in high-level meetings and represent the team at various forums, contributing to the overall mission of promoting peace and stability in the region. This position demands a proactive approach to identifying and addressing political and humanitarian challenges, as well as fostering relationships with government officials and other stakeholders.

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

• Monitor and analyze the political, security, humanitarian, and human rights situations in assigned countries, providing analytical assessments and strategic recommendations to senior management.
• Participate in activities related to mediation, peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and post-conflict rehabilitation, ensuring an integrated approach that includes rights-based and gender-sensitive perspectives.
• Prepare briefing notes, reports, and other correspondence for senior staff, providing guidance on assigned issues and maintaining relations with government officials.
• Attend meetings to identify project scopes and methodologies, and assist in developing guidelines and operational plans.
• Organize high-level meetings and represent the team at round tables, seminars, and conferences.
• Participate in fact-finding missions and draft reports on findings.
• Support the formulation of the unit's work program, budget, and medium-term plans.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in political science, international relations, or a related field, with a focus on conflict resolution and humanitarian issues. The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, or related areas. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, and reporting is essential, along with a proven track record of working in or on the Great Lakes region. Candidates should also have experience in supporting high-level political meetings and engagements.

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 political science, international relations, law, conflict resolution, or a related area. Candidates should have experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, and reporting, as well as experience working in or on the Great Lakes region. Experience in supporting preparations for high-level political meetings is desirable.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in both English and French is required, with candidates expected to meet the minimum required level for each skill according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a family duty station and a hardship duty station, indicating the challenging conditions of living and working in Nairobi. The job may involve travel to various countries within the assigned area of responsibility, and candidates should be prepared for the demands of working in a politically sensitive environment. The specific contract duration and seniority level are not mentioned in the job description.