Job title: Political Affairs Officer
Contract type: Permanent
Percentage: 100%
Location: BRUSSELS
Employer: UN Department of Political Affairs
Reference: 28764
Closing date: 08-10-2013
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Political Affairs Officer, P3
The post is located in the UN Liaison Office for Peace and Security in Brussels (UNLOPS). The incumbent reports to the Senior Liaison Officer of UNLOPS and the Team Leader in Europe Division at the Department of Political Affairs in New York.
Responsibilities:
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Engages and liaises with the European Union and other Brussels-based multilateral organizations on issues related to conflict prevention, preventive diplomacy, mediation, peace operations, and crisis management, in close consultation with relevant departments at the UN Secretariat. Works towards the strengthening of the UN’s partnership with those institutions in these areas, including through the development and implementation of joint activities.
• Gathers, selects and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events in the peace and security field in relation to the EU and other Brussels-based multilateral organizations, in particular as these affect DPA, DPKO and DFS.
• Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, governments and non-governmental organizations related to the peace and security field.
• Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments related to the Brussels-based actors. Provides inputs to and responds to requests from senior officials and colleagues in the Secretariat, special political missions and UN peace operations with a view to deepening the UN’s cooperation mechanisms, institutional dialogue and policy engagement with these actors.
• Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to Headquarters and field missions active on the ground.
• Provides technical and substantive back up in the implementation of the mandates of UNLOPS, DPA, DPKO and DFS .
• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters related to the UN’s cooperation in peace and security with the EU and other Brussels-based actors.
• Participates in missions to countries within the assigned area of responsibility and to UN Headquarters, in support of UN-EU partnership activities and activities with other Europe-based institutions, as appropriate.
• Prepares meetings of the SG/DSG/USG with officials from Brussels-based institutions. Provides support for other UN officials visiting Brussels.
• Drafts reports, background briefs, talking points, correspondence, speeches and other information and communication products as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.
The incumbent is expected to frequently interact with the following:
- Staff at the UN Secretariat, particularly those at DPA, DPKO, DFS, as well as at UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes located in Brussels that engage with the European Union in UN peace operations and other peacemaking, peacebuilding or conflict prevention activities.
- EU institutions, including the European External Action Service, the European Commission, the European Parliament, as well as other Brussels-based multilateral organizations, and Permanent Representations to the European Union.
- Representatives of non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and civil society.
Competencies:
• Professionalism: Proven ability to establish and coordinate effective strategic and operational relationships with EU institutions and bodies and other Brussels-based multilateral bodies involved in promoting peace and security issues relevant to the United Nations. Knowledge and understanding of EU institutions and the functioning of the European Union, with a focus on peace and security. Comprehensive knowledge of UN and EU policies, procedures and operations in the fields of preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention, mediation and mediation support, peacekeeping and crisis management.
Possesses excellent coordination, diplomatic, liaison and analytical skills in an international context. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area. Experience in developing partnership initiatives and liaising with multilateral institutions on preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention, mediation, peace operations, and/or crisis management is desired. Experience with UN peacekeeping operations, special political missions and/or intergovernmental organization at the field level is desirable.
Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first university degree recognized by the United Nations.
Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and French is required.
Assessment Method:
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice:
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
This position is funded for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to the extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
United Nations Considerations:
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
No Fee:
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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