SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Organizational Context

This position is based in Garoowe within the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS). The Senior Political Affairs Officer reports to the Officer-in-Charge of UNTMIS and DSRSG Political, through the Chief of Staff, with an additional reporting line to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General /RC/HC.

Job Purpose

The Senior Political Affairs Officer is responsible for planning and implementing operational activities related to the mission's mandate, including peacekeeping, conflict prevention, governance, and civil society support. This role involves integrating a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into all activities. The officer ensures high-quality reporting to mission leadership, prepares briefing materials, and provides guidance to senior staff, UN agencies, and partners. Key functions include coordinating UN Country Team efforts, maintaining relations with government officials and civil society, advising on policy, leading a work team, managing research, and overseeing program implementation to align with the mission's mandate and budget.

Responsibilities

The Senior Political Affairs Officer plans and implements operational activities such as peacekeeping, conflict resolution, governance building, and civil society support, ensuring an integrated approach with a focus on rights, conflict prevention, and gender. Responsibilities include providing timely, high-quality reports and briefings to mission leadership, advising senior staff and partners, and responding to queries. The role involves coordinating UN Country Team activities and joint approaches, maintaining relations with government officials and civil society, and advising on policy matters. Additionally, the officer leads and manages a work team, supervises research, formulates work programs and budgets, and oversees project implementation. This includes representing the mission at various forums and ensuring the operational functioning of the Area Office.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, law, disarmament, security, diplomacy, or conflict resolution is required. Experience in a UN field operation or similar international organization in a conflict/post-conflict setting is desirable, as is experience managing teams, facilitating multi-stakeholder processes, and working on Horn of Africa political issues.

Skills

Professionalism, Leadership, Communication, Planning and Organizing, Managing Performance.

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