Special Assistant
Organizational Context
The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) globally leads and supports the UN security management system, enabling UN programmes in challenging environments. It focuses on security risk management and reforms to enhance programme delivery and operational resilience. This Special Assistant role is within the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security in New York.
Job Purpose
The Special Assistant provides crucial substantive support to senior UN officials, managing their daily activities and engagements. This involves advising on political implications, coordinating interactions with internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring timely provision of support for productive outcomes. The role contributes to policy formulation, strategy development, and decision-making by monitoring and analyzing peace and security developments. It also involves drafting various communications, supporting strategic outreach, and integrating diverse perspectives into recommendations, ultimately enabling the safe and effective delivery of UN programmes.
Responsibilities
Key duties include advising senior officials on political developments and recommending actions. The role involves managing senior officials' engagements with stakeholders, ensuring timely substantive and administrative support. Responsibilities include reviewing mission-related documentation, monitoring and analyzing peace and security trends using data analytics, and drafting diverse communications such as reports, briefing notes, and speeches. The Special Assistant will also monitor peace agreement violations, integrate rights-based and gender perspectives, and plan/coordinate programmatic activities. Additional duties encompass budgeting, project implementation, reporting, administrative processes, backstopping UN peace operations, maintaining stakeholder relationships, representing the UN in meetings, and promoting knowledge sharing.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive experience in political science, international relations, law, conflict resolution, or related fields is required. Three years of experience in a front office setting supporting senior officials is necessary. Two years of field experience in conflict or post-conflict settings within the last five years is also required. Experience in public information, speech writing, or communications is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, analytical thinking, conflict-sensitive and culturally responsive stakeholder engagement, effective communication (written and verbal), client orientation, and maintaining productive partnerships.