Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head of the Political Affairs Division, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties within their area of assignment: Political and operational advice - Identify, analyze and monitor political, economic and operational developments and trends in South Sudan, particularly on issues of political parties, legislative and cabinet affairs, regional relations, bilateral relations with Sudan and post-secession negotiations, constitution-making and electoral processes, the political dimensions of armed insurrections and inter-communal violence and threats to national security, as relevant within the area of assignment; Assess implications, provide inputs on key messaging, and make recommendations on possible strategies and measures to exercise the Mission’s good offices function and support peace consolidation; Monitor, assess and recalibrate, as necessary, the implementation of political strategies in support of mandate implementation; Provide political analysis to support the Mission’s conflict mitigation strategy. Represent the Mission as requested in interfacing with government authorities, international actors, or others. Reporting - Prepare and review a range of internal reports and briefing papers, including, but not limited to, situation reports, notes to file, briefing notes, options papers, talking points; Assist with and review the drafting of articles, speeches or statements, as needed. Planning - Assess trends which might affect the political situation in the Mission area; In consultation with relevant partners, propose plans of action for immediate and medium-term solutions to political issues; Support the compatibility of Mission priorities with the transitional political timeline of the Government of South Sudan; Provide political analyses and strategies to support the integrated planning process for new operations, revisions in the mandate of ongoing operations or drawdown/exit strategies; Provide political input to mission concepts and planning documents. Coordination - Develop and maintain liaison at the appropriate level with national interlocutors in Government, civil society, political parties, amongst others; Develop and maintain contacts with other sections and components of the Mission, UN international partners and other Missions in the region, such as OSESSUD, UNAMID, MONUSCO and UNISFA, and government authorities on coordination and policy matters; Liaise with Mission counterparts at the State-level to understand centre-periphery linkages. Management - Act as deputy to the Head of the Political Affairs Division as needed; Oversee the work of other officers in the Political Affairs Division as appropriate within area of assigned responsibility; Provide necessary input for the functioning of the office into the Mission’s budget and RBB processes; Participate as required in the recruitment of Political Affairs staff, as required.
Competencies
Professionalism - Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Ability to evaluate international political situations in area of assignment. Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Communication - Ability to draft clearly and concisely substantive memos to very high level functionaries in the UN system, diplomatic community and other programme partners in the Mission. Empowering Others – Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Encourages others to set challenging goals; Involves others when making decisions that affect them; Genuinely values all staff members’ inputs and expertise. Leadership - Strong managerial/leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex issues; demonstrated ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work; commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment; mature judgment and initiative; imagination, resourcefulness, energy and tact; proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals. Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills; ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with different national an cultural backgrounds with sensitivity and respect for diversity; ability to coach, mentor, motivate and develop staff and encourage good performance.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or related fields. 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 10 years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or related fields at national and international level in advisory and managerial positions. Extensive experience in political analysis, including in bilateral and multilateral negotiations. Managerial experience is required. International experience is required. Experience in post-conflict countries or in a peacekeeping operation is desirable. Previous experience within the region could be an advantage.
Languages
Fluency in spoken and written English is required; knowledge of Arabic or a local language could be an advantage.
Other Skills
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). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
How to apply
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.
Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.
2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.
3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.
4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.
E-mail: staffing@un.org,
Fax: 1-212-963-2800
Under the supervision of the Head of the Political Affairs Division, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties within their area of assignment: Political and operational advice - Identify, analyze and monitor political, economic and operational developments and trends in South Sudan, particularly on issues of political parties, legislative and cabinet affairs, regional relations, bilateral relations with Sudan and post-secession negotiations, constitution-making and electoral processes, the political dimensions of armed insurrections and inter-communal violence and threats to national security, as relevant within the area of assignment; Assess implications, provide inputs on key messaging, and make recommendations on possible strategies and measures to exercise the Mission’s good offices function and support peace consolidation; Monitor, assess and recalibrate, as necessary, the implementation of political strategies in support of mandate implementation; Provide political analysis to support the Mission’s conflict mitigation strategy. Represent the Mission as requested in interfacing with government authorities, international actors, or others. Reporting - Prepare and review a range of internal reports and briefing papers, including, but not limited to, situation reports, notes to file, briefing notes, options papers, talking points; Assist with and review the drafting of articles, speeches or statements, as needed. Planning - Assess trends which might affect the political situation in the Mission area; In consultation with relevant partners, propose plans of action for immediate and medium-term solutions to political issues; Support the compatibility of Mission priorities with the transitional political timeline of the Government of South Sudan; Provide political analyses and strategies to support the integrated planning process for new operations, revisions in the mandate of ongoing operations or drawdown/exit strategies; Provide political input to mission concepts and planning documents. Coordination - Develop and maintain liaison at the appropriate level with national interlocutors in Government, civil society, political parties, amongst others; Develop and maintain contacts with other sections and components of the Mission, UN international partners and other Missions in the region, such as OSESSUD, UNAMID, MONUSCO and UNISFA, and government authorities on coordination and policy matters; Liaise with Mission counterparts at the State-level to understand centre-periphery linkages. Management - Act as deputy to the Head of the Political Affairs Division as needed; Oversee the work of other officers in the Political Affairs Division as appropriate within area of assigned responsibility; Provide necessary input for the functioning of the office into the Mission’s budget and RBB processes; Participate as required in the recruitment of Political Affairs staff, as required.
Competencies
Professionalism - Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Ability to evaluate international political situations in area of assignment. Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Communication - Ability to draft clearly and concisely substantive memos to very high level functionaries in the UN system, diplomatic community and other programme partners in the Mission. Empowering Others – Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Encourages others to set challenging goals; Involves others when making decisions that affect them; Genuinely values all staff members’ inputs and expertise. Leadership - Strong managerial/leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex issues; demonstrated ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work; commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment; mature judgment and initiative; imagination, resourcefulness, energy and tact; proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals. Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills; ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with different national an cultural backgrounds with sensitivity and respect for diversity; ability to coach, mentor, motivate and develop staff and encourage good performance.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or related fields. 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 10 years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or related fields at national and international level in advisory and managerial positions. Extensive experience in political analysis, including in bilateral and multilateral negotiations. Managerial experience is required. International experience is required. Experience in post-conflict countries or in a peacekeeping operation is desirable. Previous experience within the region could be an advantage.
Languages
Fluency in spoken and written English is required; knowledge of Arabic or a local language could be an advantage.
Other Skills
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). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
How to apply
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.
Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.
2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.
3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.
4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.
E-mail: staffing@un.org,
Fax: 1-212-963-2800