This position is located within the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in New York. This position reports to the Chief of the WMD Branch.

Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties related to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM): • Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long range solutions to political problems in general and in specific geographical areas; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. • Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the Office; incorporates 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. • Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects, training and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation. • Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Secretary-General, Under-Secretary-General. • Designs training and outreach initiatives; advises on and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames. • Coordinates and directs the provision of secretariat services secretariat services -for the General Assembly, and the Security Council and their subsidiary bodies, and special conferences and summits. • Provides continuous guidance and advice to the Presidents and Chairs as well as other elected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, conduct of business. • Leads and directs a work team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs. • Acts as coordinator for complex coordination and support activities related to the UNSGM. • Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political issues related to the UNSGM. • Represents Office at round tables, seminars and conferences. • Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries of parties and manages operations involving several components. • Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Branch; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues. • Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs other related duties as required.