Senior Adviser
Organizational Context
The Senior Advisor role is situated within the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) in Jerusalem. This position reports directly to the UNSCO Head of Mission, playing a key part in the operational and political functions of the office.
Job Purpose
The Senior Advisor provides critical political counsel to the Special Coordinator, supporting the Head of Mission in their overall responsibilities and representational duties. This involves analyzing political, security, and operational developments in the Middle East, assessing their implications, and recommending strategies to advance UNSCO’s mandate. The role requires proactive engagement with various stakeholders, including Israeli and Palestinian authorities, regional partners, and UN entities, to foster collaboration and advance peace process objectives. The Senior Advisor also contributes to high-quality reporting and ensures an integrated approach sensitive to rights and conflict prevention.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include advising the Special Coordinator on all political matters and supporting the Head of Mission's representational duties. The role involves identifying, analyzing, and monitoring political, security, and operational developments, assessing implications, and recommending strategies for mandate implementation. This includes incorporating a rights-based dimension and conflict prevention sensitivity. The Senior Advisor is responsible for timely and high-quality reporting, providing input for analytical reports and briefings to UN bodies. Building and maintaining collaborative relationships with Israeli and Palestinian authorities, political leaders, civil society, and international partners is crucial. Collaboration with the UN Country Team, regional UN offices, and international actors is also a key function, alongside performing other duties as requested.
Work Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in international relations, conflict mediation, political transitions, peacebuilding, development, and governance reforms is required. Specific experience in the UN's political engagement within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region is also mandatory, along with program management experience.
Skills
Professionalism, strong analytical and drafting skills, communication (written and verbal), planning and organizing, performance management, and leadership are essential. Ability to provide advice, monitor developments, report effectively, and build relationships is critical.