POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER 252 views

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post will be located in the Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and situated in the UN Liaison Office for Peace and Security (UNLOPS) in Brussels, Belgium. This incumbent will report to the Head of UNLOPS with secondary reporting to the Senior Programme Management Officer of the Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization Section within the Office of the Under-Secretary General of UNOCT.

UNOCT was established on 15 June 2017 as the first major institutional reform undertaken by the Secretary-General. The Office is mandated to provide leadership on General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates; enhance coordination and coherence to ensure a balanced implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and strengthen UN counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States. Designated by the Secretary-General to coordinate the United Nations system on preventing violent extremism (PVE), UNOCT provides coordinated UN PVE policy guidance and support to Member States and regional organizations and the implementation of the United Nations PVE Plan of Action.

In the spirit of partnership with the EU and with other UN departments focused on peace and security, this position will perform liaison functions with EU institutions and EU member states to strengthen institutional dialogue and improve coordination.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Acts as the focal point for the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism to European Union and NATO, establishing and maintaining contact with key interlocutors in those institutions, following up on EU-UNOCT or NATO-UNOCT relations including dialogue initiatives, joint programmes and other activities, and reporting on activities and developments in relevant institutions.Undertake outreach to EU member states, as well as representative functions in European capitals as necessary.
• Serves as an integrated member of the UNLOPS team, providing support to UNLOPS’ representative function as the consolidated entry point on peace and security matters in Brussels and carrying out other functions as designated by the Head of UNLOPS.
• Reviews and monitors activities in the country or region assigned as well as EU and NATO activities globally; assesses trends which might affect the political situation and the political impact of intra-regional issues such as refugees and drug control; recommends solutions/possible action by United Nations.
• Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to provide early warning advice to ASG/USG or Head of Mission.
• Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern to UNLOPS and UNOCT; 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.
• Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding relevant 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.
• Participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise.
• Carries out, in consultation with the Chief of the Section, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget.
• Drafts plans for start-up of operations and participates in the activities of implementation.
• 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 women and men 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.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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 additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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.
Experience working on issues related to preventing and countering terrorism is required.
Experience with interagency coordination and supporting intergovernmental processes at the United Nations or in another intergovernmental organisation is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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 in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

This post is funded through extra-budgetary funding. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

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.

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.