Associate Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA) was established in 201

• Its mission is to work closely with and support all countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in promoting peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security across the Horn of Africa. This involves enhancing sub-regional conflict prevention and mediation capacities and addressing cross-cutting issues. The office collaborates with regional organizations, including the African Union (AU), to achieve its objectives.

Job Overview:
The Associate Political Affairs Officer plays a crucial role in the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA). This position requires the individual to gather, select, and analyze information from various sources, including the press, regarding political developments in the Horn of Africa. The officer must maintain an up-to-date understanding of political issues affecting the region and provide insights to senior officials and colleagues. The role also involves monitoring national and regional political developments, advising field missions and UN agencies, and maintaining contacts with other UN sectors and international organizations. The officer is expected to support gender mainstreaming and the integration of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) initiatives across the office's work. Additionally, the officer will prepare meetings for the Special Envoy and contribute to data collection and analysis for informed decision-making and reporting.

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

• Gathering, selecting, and analyzing information from communications and publications regarding political developments in the Horn of Africa.
• Keeping abreast of political issues and trends affecting the assigned countries and thematic mandates.
• Monitoring national and regional political developments and providing advice to field missions and UN agencies.
• Maintaining contacts with other UN sectors, international organizations, and governments for coordination and policy matters.
• Monitoring actions taken by intergovernmental groups and providing technical support to the IGAD-UN partnership.
• Classifying and storing information related to potential disputes and conflicts in computerized databases.
• Participating in fact-finding missions to countries within the assigned area.
• Supporting gender mainstreaming and integration of WPS and YPS across the office's work.
• Preparing meetings for the Special Envoy with officials from the host country. 1
• Contributing to data collection and analysis, identifying trends, and providing insights through data visualization methods. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, conflict resolution, social sciences, international relations, law, or related fields. Alternatively, a first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of political affairs and international relations, particularly in the context of the Horn of Africa.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, conflict resolution, social sciences, international relations, law, or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, peace and security issues, or related fields is required. Candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE), or the G to P Examination (G to P) are exempt from this experience requirement. Experience in political analysis and reporting, particularly in the context of Africa or the Horn of Africa Sub-region, is essential. Proven ability to support the implementation of regional strategies, including monitoring and reporting on progress, is also required. Experience working with sub-regional organizations, especially IGAD, is desirable, as is knowledge of UN budget and monitoring systems.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, and proficiency in French is considered an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is limited to the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA) and is temporarily available until 31 December 202

• If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. This position may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience; however, it is for a limited period and does not guarantee future employment in the post. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.