Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Political Affairs Division (PAD) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The incumbent will be based in Bangui and will report to the Chief of Unit under the overall guidance of the Director and Deputy Director of the Division.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Senior Political Affairs Officer, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, i.e., peacekeeping, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.;
• Supports an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit.
• Provides support to the political and peace processes, in liaison with relevant national or local entities and Mission’s components and sections, as appropriate.
• Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Senior Political Affairs Officer, Head of the Mission, and other senior staff.
• Drafts meetings and analysis notes, options papers, and code cables.
• Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in mission as requested by the implementation of the mandate.
• Monitors national or local level political developments as well as national or local actors’ dynamics and provides advice to the leadership.
• Monitors actions taken by, and liaise with intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, government and non-governmental organizations, to advance the political process and support national institutions or local government.
• Gathers, selects, and analyses information; provides analysis on possible causes and offers recommendations on the way forward.
• Compiles as relevant contributions from the Division’s field presences.
• As requested, provides guidance and advice on assigned issues to the head of mission, as well as other selected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning assigned areas of work, status of negotiations, and the approach to various issues including interpretation of the rules of procedure.
• Prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties and manages operations involving several components of a limited nature, such as civilian, military or humanitarian operations.
• Participates as a team member on a team which could deal with a variety of political issues in a region and or country or major conflict. Attends meetings to identify the scope of the project, considers methodologies, and participate in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new team.
• Assists in planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and reporting on programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation.
• Represents the team at round tables, seminars and conferences.
• Supports his/her supervisor in the formulation of the programme of work, budget and medium-term plans of the unit by participating in meetings and compiling or researching issues related to the mission.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Management or Development, Law, International Relations or a related field is required. A first level university degree with a combination of two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years with a master’s degree or seven (7) years with a bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible experience in in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Experience in the United Nations Common System (UN peacekeeping political missions, or UN agencies, Funds and Programmes) or a comparable international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict environment is desirable.

Prior experience in political affairs in a peacekeeping mission is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French or English is required, Knowledge of the other language is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

• This position is temporarily available. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.