POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Organizational Context

This position is within the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO) in New York. The role is situated in the front office supporting the Assistant Secretary-General responsible for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific. The incumbent reports to the Assistant Secretary-General via the Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Job Purpose

The Political Affairs Officer will provide crucial advice and recommendations to senior officials on key political issues within their area of responsibility, ensuring high-quality briefings and analysis. This role involves gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from various sources, including the press, to maintain up-to-date knowledge of political events and trends. The officer will communicate senior-level decisions, facilitate their implementation, and provide substantive support for the office's mandates. Additionally, the position requires maintaining contacts with other UN sectors, international organizations, and governments for coordination and policy matters, and preparing for high-level meetings.

Responsibilities

Key duties include providing expert advice and recommendations to senior officials on political matters, ensuring the quality of briefings and analysis. The role involves communicating and ensuring the implementation of senior-level decisions across relevant desks. Responsibilities also encompass gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from diverse sources to stay informed on political events and trends. The officer will offer technical and substantive support for mandate implementation, liaise with external stakeholders including other UN entities, international organizations, and governments, and prepare for meetings with high-level officials. Furthermore, the role includes drafting and reviewing project proposals, monitoring project implementation, and preparing reports. Drafting and monitoring work plans and compiling implementation reports are also key functions.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, or conflict resolution is required. Essential experience includes conflict prevention, mediation, preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, drafting political analysis and diplomatic correspondence, and working on peace and security issues related to the Americas and Europe/Central Asia. At least three years of experience in a front office supporting UN senior officials is also required. Experience in drafting work plans and managing projects is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, ability to support senior officials in political engagement and preventive diplomacy, in-depth political analysis, planning and organizing, time management, effective communication (written and verbal), active listening, and information sharing.

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