Associate Political Affairs Officer
Organizational Context
This position is within the Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs at UN Headquarters in New York. The Branch serves as the advisory and research arm on Security Council practice and procedure, notably preparing the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council. It also supports Security Council informal working groups and provides familiarization sessions for new Council members.
Job Purpose
The Associate Political Affairs Officer will support the Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch by analyzing information related to the Security Council and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of political issues. The role involves assisting senior officials with substantive support, preparing briefing notes, background papers, and contributing to various written documents. A key responsibility is drafting sections of the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council, summarizing meetings, and monitoring Security Council and General Assembly proceedings. The officer will also provide input into political, humanitarian, and economic efforts, create project tracking databases, and utilize information technologies for data analysis and visualization concerning Security Council activities.
Responsibilities
Analyze communications and publications concerning the Security Council, maintaining current knowledge of relevant political events. Provide substantive support to the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies, responding to queries on procedural and constitutional matters. Assist senior staff with briefing notes, background papers, and talking points, and contribute to drafting studies, policy guidelines, and parliamentary documents. Prepare summaries of Security Council meetings and conduct research and analysis for the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council. Monitor Security Council and General Assembly agendas, analyze political developments, and prepare notes on procedural and constitutional changes. Contribute to political, humanitarian, and economic initiatives, and other branch information products. Develop databases for project tracking and use information technologies for data analysis and visualization of Security Council activities.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, or conflict resolution is required. Experience in researching, drafting, and editing complex documents for publication is also required. Experience with database and website management, data and political analysis, and working with international organizations is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, excellent knowledge of Security Council practices and procedures, ability to organize and summarize information, ability to identify and analyze political problems, ability to use information technologies for data analysis and visualization.