Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by himor 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 in its staff.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
This post is found in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) in the Middle East Division (MED). It reports to the Senior Political Affairs Officer/Team Leader of the Gulf Team under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director and Deputy Director of MED.
Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Reviews and monitors activities in the Gulf region; assesses trends that might affect the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues in the Gulf region; recommends solutions/possible action by United Nations.
• Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to provide early warning advice to the ASG Middle East and Asia Pacific and/or USGs DPPA and DPO.
• Prepares reports and briefings to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies, as required; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials.
• Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information on political issues of assignment.
• Prepares meeting notes and mission reports; plans and participates in field missions, as required.
• Participates regularly in relevant meetings on Gulf countries, including relevant DPPA, DPO and UN interagency meetings; and participates in MED engagements with Member States and international and regional organizations regarding the situation in the Gulf, as required. Provides up-to-date information and ongoing analyses on Gulf regional issues and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Maintains contacts with other UN departments, agencies, funds and programmes; UN Country Teams; other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations.
• Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise.
• Provides input for assessment of staff to be deployed to important posts in the field (e.g. Resident Coordinators).
• Carries out, in consultation with the Team Leader of the Gulf Team, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Professionalism:
- Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in the Gulf region.
- 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 women and men in all areas of work.
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.
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.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in any of these fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, conflict resolution or related area.
Knowledge of the UN, in particular in the areas of peace and security and conflict resolution, is required.
Experience in and/or familiarity with the workings of the UN, including with special political missions, is desirable.
Experience in carrying out political and other relevant analysis as well as drafting analytical papers is desirable.
Experience working in or on Middle East issues, including Gulf countries, is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
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.
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.
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