United Nations, New York is seeking for the Director and Deputy Director, the Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director and Deputy Director, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides daily substantive guidance for professional and administrative staff members within the Central Africa Team;

• Monitors and assesses political developments in Central Africa;

• Formulates political strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy options and plans of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in Central Africa; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.

• Initiates and carries out in-depth analyses and studies on complex political developments, cross-cutting issues and current trends and problems with a view to providing early warning advice to the Secretary-General, the Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General, as well as policy options for conflict prevention and resolution, and post-conflict peacebuilding.

Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects, and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation.

• Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Secretary-General, Senior Advisers, Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General.

• Participates and follows up on meetings/decisions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and other inter-governmental committees and bodies related to his/her area of work.

• Leads and directs the Central Africa Team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.

• Backstops the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), including supervising and preparing Resource Based Budgets and overseeing the preparation and timely submission and defense of budgetary requirements to management as well as the governing organs of the UN.

• Participates in fact-finding, preventive diplomacy or peace-making missions as requested or approved by the Secretary-General or the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.

• Represents Africa II at round tables, seminars, and conferences.

• Liaises with the Permanent Missions to the UN, UN Departments, agencies and programmes, international organizations and academic institutions.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying an additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience 

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience working in a field operation of the United Nations common system (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN regional commissions, agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization, or nongovernmental organization in Africa is required. Experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice, and reporting is required. Experience liaising with UN legislative bodies or similar intergovernmental bodies is required. Experience in drafting analytical papers on politically sensitive and high-profile matters is desirable. Experience in delivering briefings as well as providing advice and support to senior officials is desirable. Experience in project development and management is desirable.

Languages 

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is desirable.