Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC) is a multi-party entity that operates under the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG). It provides global situational awareness, crisis and risk management support, and facilitates cross-pillar analysis to aid senior-level UN decision-making. The UNOCC is positioned under the Office of Coordination and Shared Service (OCSS) and collaborates with various departments, including the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations. The organization aims to enhance the effectiveness of the UN's response to crises and conflicts globally, ensuring that the UN's efforts are coordinated and comprehensive. The UNOCC is committed to fostering a collaborative environment that supports the UN's mission of maintaining international peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role within the UNOCC's Prevention workstream, focusing on monitoring and analyzing political developments in priority countries. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying trends that may impact political situations and providing early warning advice to senior leadership. The officer will be responsible for preparing and presenting visual analytical reports on sensitive prevention matters, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data. This role also involves acting as a focal point for information collection and analysis on political issues, leading the organization of Secretariat services for the Regional Monthly Review (RMR) mechanism, and maintaining contacts with various UN sectors, international organizations, and governments. The officer will participate in conferences and seminars, contributing to discussions related to their area of expertise, and will carry out administrative functions related to staff planning and budgeting.

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

• Review and monitor activities in countries relevant to the RMR mechanism, analyzing trends that may affect political situations.
• Provide early warning advice to senior leadership based on political analyses.
• Prepare and present visual analytical reports on sensitive prevention matters to RMR membership.
• Draft notes, background papers, and talking points for senior UN officials.
• Act as the focal point for collecting and analyzing information on relevant political issues.
• Organize and supervise Secretariat services for the RMR mechanism, coordinating among its 13 member entities.
• Maintain contacts with other UN sectors, international organizations, and governments on coordination and policy matters.
• Brief representatives and provide suggestions and recommendations as appropriate.
• Participate in conferences, seminars, and academic forums related to assigned expertise. 1
• Carry out administrative functions related to staff planning, budget, and other priorities. 1
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution, or a related area. Experience in using data visualization and survey tools to inform decisions and strategies is required. Additionally, two years of experience in applied analytics, statistics, or a related area is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of political dynamics and the ability to analyze complex situations effectively.

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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as political science, international relations, law, or conflict resolution. Candidates should have a proven track record of analyzing political situations and providing strategic advice based on their findings. Experience in data visualization and analytics is also essential, as it will inform decision-making processes within the organization.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations language, such as French, is considered an advantage and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 31 December 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position is funded through Extra-budgetary funds, and while it may provide the successful applicant with new work experience, it does not guarantee future incumbency of the post. Recruitment is subject to classification approval, and internal applicants should note that the granting of Special Post Allowance (SPA) is contingent upon classification of the position. The eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process.