Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), the UN headquarters in Africa, was established by the General Assembly in 1996. The Office is headed by a Director-General (DG), at the Under-Secretary- General level, and serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Nairobi. The Director- General is responsible for all activities of the United Nations Office at Nairobi. As the Secretary-General’ s representative, the Director-General undertakes special political and representation assignments and provides the Secretary-General with advice and support on a broad range of political, diplomatic, and cross-cutting issues in the region. The Director-General performs representation and liaison functions with permanent missions, the host-country and other Governments, and intergovernmental and non- governmental organizations, as well as other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya. UNON hosts the global headquarters for UNEP and UN-Habitat, as well as offices for Kenya-based UN entities and other regional UN agencies. The Director-General of UNON oversees the United Nations Information Center (UNIC), the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), the Division of Conference Services (DCS) and Division of Administrative Services (DAS). The Director-General also serves as the UN Designated Official for Kenya, with overall responsibility for the security and safety of all United Nations staff and their dependents throughout Kenya.

This position is in the Office is of the Director-General (ODG). The Special Assistant Political Affairs Officer will be based in Nairobi. Within the delegated authority, the incumbent will report to the UNON Director-General through the Chief of Staff in ODG. Within delegated authority, the Special Assistant, Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Provides specialized advice and technical support to the Director-General in identifying, analyzing, and monitoring political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the Director-General’s mandate.
• Brings to the attention of the Director-General, through the Chief of Staff, all matters requiring his/her personal attention, makes recommendations on how those matters might be handled, and ensures appropriate follow-up, as directed.
• Drafts talking points, minutes and analytical reports for the Director-General and senior staff.
• Drafts/reviews correspondence for the Director-General.
• Liaises and maintains close working relationships with all UN and other relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyses political and related events, and prepares analytical reports and papers, with a view to providing early warning advice to senior officials, and recommendations for further action.
• Gathers, selects, and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events and trends relating to the Duty Station
• Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments, monitors national and regional level political developments, and provides inputs on issues to the Director-General and relevant colleagues.
• Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organizations, government, and non- governmental organizations, as well as civil society groups.
• Reviews and monitors activities in the country; assesses trends which might affect the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues such as refugees, drug control and natural resources; recommends solutions/action by United Nations.
• Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issues of assignment.
• Arranges and participates in negotiations and fact-finding missions.
• Meets regularly with operational teams including UN staff and national officials to plan projects and review project activities.
• Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and country or regional issues and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
• Carries out, in consultation with the Chief of the Staff, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic, and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of people in all areas 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

PLANING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a second official United Nations language is desirable.

NOTE: “fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of” equals a rating of ” confident” in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for six (6) months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a assignment.

• While this 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.

• Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

• 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.

• Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

• Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

• On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.