Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Europe and Central Asia Division (ECAD) of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The incumbent will report to the Team Leader in the Europe and Central Asia Division (DPPA-DPO). The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) serves as a center of excellence for peace operations, responsible for preventing, responding to and managing conflict and sustaining peace in countries where peace operations under its purview are deployed, and provides support to other entities on peace and security issues. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.

Responsibilities

The Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Monitors and reviews developments in the area of responsibility with a potential impact on peace and security and the implementation of UN conflict prevention and peace-making mandates; provides assessments of the political and security-related situation and developments within the assigned area and formulates recommendations for possible action and initiatives by the UN. • Provides information and advice to the Team Leader, Director and senior DPPA officials regarding substantive political matters and country-specific or regional issues and prepares recommendations on appropriate courses of action. • Analyzes political and security-related trends in the region to provide political and early warning advice to the Secretary-General, Under-Secretaries-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, and Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, and other senior UN officials. • Prepares analytical notes and reports on political and operational issues; drafts notes, background papers, reports of the Secretary-General, talking points, speeches, briefings, code cables, correspondence and other communications for senior UN officials. • Maintains awareness of the political and operational environment as it relates to UN presences and operations in the region and contributes recommendations for mitigating potential challenges affecting UN presences and operations on the ground. • Provides technical and substantive backstopping to UN presences and operations within assigned region, as required. • Contributes to the formulation of strategic and operational guidance and courses of action to advance the implementation of UN conflict prevention, peacebuilding and WPS-related mandates in the region, as well as in support of regional mediation mechanisms and processes as appropriate. • Supports cooperation and coordination with multilateral and regional organizations and other relevant actors, including the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, as the Collective Security Treaty Organization, as appropriate. • Maintains close engagement with UN presences in the region, relevant UN entities within and outside the Secretariat, relevant Member States, and international and regional organizations and partners. • Supports the work of inter-agency task forces and other consultation and coordination mechanisms. • Provides advice to the Resident Coordinators in the region as needed, including in the development of common country assessments and country sustainable development cooperation frameworks. • Provides guidance to Peace and Development Advisers or similar support capacity needs. • Participates in planning and assessment missions and accompanies senior UN officials in their visits to the region. • Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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 women and men in all areas of work Planning 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. 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.

Education

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

Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.

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. A minimum of three years of experience working on current key peace and security issues related to Europe and performing political analysis, advice, liaison and reporting responsibilities, is required. Experience in drafting analytical , briefing materials, speeches, and public statements for senior officials is required. Knowledge of current peace and security issues and political developments in Western Balkans is required. Experience supporting mediation and/or peacebuilding processes is required. Experience in performing desk officer responsibilities, including providing backstopping support to UN peacekeeping missions or political offices in the field, is required. Experience working in the field for a multilateral operation related to peace and security in Europe, especially UN peacekeeping or political missions, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).