Political Affairs jobs at UN, New York

Position: Political Affairs Officer at the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs-Department of Peace Operations-Shared Structure

Roles and responsibilities

This post is located in the South Sudan Integrated Operational Team (IOT), Eastern Africa Division, Department of Peace Operations (DPO).

• Reviews and monitors activities in the country or region assigned.
• Assesses trends which might affect the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues such as refugees, drug control and natural resources. Also, recommends solutions/possible action by the United Nations.
• Analyses political and related events within an assigned area with a view to providing early warning advice to ASG/USG or Head of Mission.
• Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies. Similarly, drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials.
• Participates in the organization and supervision of Secretariat services.
• Acts as a focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issues of an assignment.
• Likewise, arranges and participates in negotiations, peacekeeping operations, and fact-finding missions.
• Meets regularly with operational teams including UN staff, national officials as well as Military and Civilian Police officers to plan projects and review project activities.
• Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and country or regional issues and makes recommendations on actions to take.

Additional duties

• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters. Similarly, briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
• Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise.
• Provides input for assessment of staff to be deployed to important posts in the field (e.g. Resident Coordinators).
• Also, carries out, in consultation with the Chief of the Section, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget.
• Drafts plans for the start-up of operations and participates in the activities of implementation.
  
• Furthermore, performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Masters degree in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. However, candidates with a bachelor degree with two years of additional experience can also apply.
• In addition to that, at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area.
• Similarly, experience working on peace and security issues in the region is necessary.
• Fluency in English.