UN Job in Cyprus, Senior Political Affairs Officer, P5, SASG-CYPRU-143499 98 views

On 3 September 2008, the Leaders of the Greek Cypriot community and of the Turkish Cypriot community decided to start their full-fledged negotiations, under the good offices mission of the United Nations Secretary-General. The aim of the full-fledged negotiations is to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, which will safeguard the fundamental and legitimate rights and interest of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The agreed solution will be put to separate simultaneous referendum. The role of the Office of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus (OSASG) (also known as the Good Offices Mission) is to support the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser (SASG) on Cyprus and the Deputy SASG, whose mandate is to assist the parties in the conduct of negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement. Transitional arrangements – and related questions about jurisdiction, and governance and legal institutions post-settlement – are key issues negotiated in the peace process.

The position is located in the Office of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus, duty station Nicosia. Within delegated authority, under the general supervision of the SASG/DSASG and Coordinator, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Political Analysis and Advice

-Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues in the country/region with respect to the implementation of the Office’s mandate.
-Provide negotiation support to the negotiation process with a specific focus on governance and power-sharing issues, as well as on citizenship issues.
-Prepare analysis, assessments and reports on substantive issues and related matters in the context of the overall negotiations. Research key points of interest between the sides and options for specific approaches to negotiations.
-Provide assessments to the Special Adviser/DSASG outlining the implications for governance and power-sharing in the context of issues discussed in other chapters of the negotiations.
-Assess implications and make recommendations to the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on possible policies,strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives.
-Identify emerging issues and provide advice to the Special Adviser on approaches to the negotiations in Cyprus, including on implementation of Security Council resolution 1325.
-Work with UN thematic expert on economic matters to assess the positions of the parties and explore possible bridging options.
-Plan and undertake politically sensitive projects on behalf of the Special Adviser.
-Manage information to ensure its accessibility and utility.

Reporting and Information Management

-Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, code cables, and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council.
-Prepare and review contextual information materials, such as background notes, analytical materials and assessments on political and related policy options in support of the negotiations on issues related to governance and power-sharing.

Planning, Coordination and Facilitation

-Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the authorities, political leaders and civil society actors, the broader UN family and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters.
-Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and plans of action to address political challenges, in the context of the overall negotiations.
-Serve as a facilitator for the Technical Committee on economic and commercial matters.
-Serve as the focal point of the OSASG on gender related issues.
-Plan and implement the operational activities related to the work of the OSASG in line with the Special Adviser’s strategic vision and guidance as per the mandate to facilitate negotiations.
-Support preparations for official meetings, events and visits, including through the provision of secretariat services and by drafting talking points and speeches of senior UN officials.
-Participate in fact-finding – and other – missions.
-Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate.
-Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation.

Management/Administration

-Leads and directs a work team. Supervises, mentors, and evaluates staff including consultants, as required.
-Assists with formulating and managing the implementation of the programme of work, including through support to planning and budgetary processes.
-Plans,coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities including in coordination with other components of the mission, UNFICYP and external partners as required.
-Incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity and a gender perspective throughout the office’s activities.
-Participate in the selection of new staff and in the development of substantive training programs.
-Perform other relevant duties as required.

Professionalism: in-depth understanding of the political work of the United Nations, as well as knowledge and experience of political negotiations and capacity to adopt a strategic approach to the development of governance and power- sharing issues; sound analytical skills, with ability to assess complex political environments, identify problems, and propose policy options; proven drafting, reviewing and editing skills and experience; diplomacy, tact and judgment in dealing with others; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and achieving results; tact in negotiation skills; 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, if any.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement, does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, economy or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (02) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, conflict resolution or related area is required. Extensive experience in political analysis and diplomacy is required.
Experience in management or leadership in multicultural settings, including supervision of interdisciplinary teams is required.
Experience in planning and strategic analysis is required.
Experience with practices and procedures on conflict resolution in an international organization or government is desirable.
Experience in mediation and multilateral or bilateral negotiations is desirable.
Experience in providing political support and guidance to peacemaking, peacekeeping operations and/or good offices mission is desirable.
Experience in the region is desirable.

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.

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.

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.

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.