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 and has a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations. The organization employs thousands of staff members across various countries, working to address global challenges and foster international collaboration. The DPPA and DPO specifically focus on political and peacebuilding efforts, ensuring that the UN's initiatives are effectively implemented in regions facing conflict and instability.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in advising senior officials on significant political issues and ensuring that high-quality standards are maintained in the advice and recommendations provided by the organization. The incumbent will be responsible for communicating decisions made at the senior level 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 an up-to-date knowledge of political events and trends that affect the countries and thematic mandates under their responsibility. Additionally, the officer will provide technical and substantive support in implementing the office's mandates, maintain contacts with other UN sectors and international organizations, and monitor actions taken by intergovernmental groups and NGOs. The role also involves drafting project proposals, budgets, and reports, preparing meetings for senior officials, and compiling workplan reports.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Political Affairs Officer will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Advising senior officials on political issues and ensuring quality standards for advice and briefings.
• Communicating senior-level decisions to relevant desks and ensuring implementation.
• Analyzing information from various sources and maintaining knowledge of political events.
• Providing technical support for the implementation of mandates.
• Maintaining contacts with UN sectors, international organizations, and governments.
• Monitoring actions taken by intergovernmental groups and NGOs.
• Drafting and reviewing project proposals and budgets, monitoring project implementation, and drafting reports.
• Preparing meetings for senior officials with representatives from relevant countries.
• Drafting and monitoring workplans, gathering information from divisions, and compiling reports on implementation. 1
• Performing 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 science and international relations, as well as the ability to conduct in-depth analysis and provide sound recommendations.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Political Science, International Relations, International Economics, Law, or Public Administration is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with additional qualifying experience, highlighting the importance of both education and practical experience in this role.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution, or a related area is required. Candidates should have experience in conflict prevention, mediation, and peacekeeping, as well as drafting sensitive political analyses and diplomatic correspondence. Experience working on peace and security issues related to the Americas and Europe and Central Asia is essential. Additionally, at least one year of experience in a front office supporting UN senior officials is desirable, along with experience in drafting work plans and managing projects.

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. Knowledge of either French, Spanish, or Russian is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in these languages. This multilingual requirement reflects the diverse nature of the UN's operations and the need for effective communication across different regions and cultures.

Additional Notes:
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The position may involve a probationary period of one year for external candidates. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. The organization emphasizes the importance of high standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its recruitment practices.