Principal Coordination Officer, Political Affairs
Organizational Context
This Principal Coordination Officer position is within the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), based in Kinshasa. The role reports directly to the SRSG, playing a key part in supporting the mission's mandate implementation and strategic direction.
Job Purpose
The Principal Coordination Officer provides critical strategic advice to the SRSG and Senior Leadership Team on diplomatic, political, and security matters, formulating policy and operational strategies to effectively implement and renew the mission's mandate. This role directly supports peace processes, ceasefire implementation, diplomatic initiatives, and stakeholder dialogue. The officer is responsible for coordinating and streamlining plans across various mission components, ensuring a balanced and effective approach to mandate delivery. They also enhance communication with UN Headquarters, oversee mission-wide procedures, manage risks, and develop strategic reports and analytical products to support senior leadership decision-making. The position acts as a vital link between leadership and diverse mission components, UNCT, government counterparts, and the diplomatic community.
Responsibilities
The Principal Coordination Officer provides strategic advice to the SRSG and Senior Leadership Team on diplomatic, political, and security matters, developing policy and operational strategies for mandate implementation. They offer direct support to the SRSG and leadership in implementing the mission mandate, focusing on peace processes, ceasefire implementation, diplomatic initiatives, and stakeholder dialogue. The role involves developing, overseeing, and coordinating mission-wide plans and initiatives to ensure a balanced approach to mandate delivery. Responsibilities include aligning priorities, enhancing the implementation of Delegations of Authority, and strengthening oversight of resource management, risk management, and results-based management. The officer oversees mission-wide procedures, evaluates organizational change impacts, and identifies risks. They coordinate the development of strategic reports, options papers, and analytical products for senior leadership and UN Headquarters, ensuring high-quality, objective outputs. The position serves as a strategic link between leadership and various mission components, UNCT, government, and the diplomatic community, providing regular reports and advice. Additionally, the role involves liaising for international meetings, managing supervised staff, and fostering teamwork and communication across the mission.
Work Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy, international relations, political outreach, analysis, coordination, administration, or related fields is required. Experience in inter-agency collaboration, building partnerships, and working within a UN field operation or comparable international organization in a conflict setting is essential. Extensive experience supporting senior officials in strategic planning, analysis, and organizational development, particularly within UN peacekeeping or political missions, is also required. Proven experience in diplomacy, mediation, peace process facilitation, and reporting, along with specific experience in the Great Lakes Region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is necessary.
Skills
Professionalism, strong analytical skills, policy development, strategic planning, political judgment, diplomatic skills, planning and organizing, effective communication (written and verbal), leadership, and sound judgment/decision-making are essential. Proficiency in English and French is required.