Senior Political Affairs Officer

The Senior Political Affairs Officer is responsible for formulating political affairs strategies, planning and implementing operational activities related to the Northern Africa Division, and providing high-level strategic advice on peace operations. The role involves managing programmes, preparing briefing notes for senior UN officials, leading teams, and representing the division in various forums.

Responsibilities

• 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 North Africa; 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 Northern Africa Division; 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 and activities requiring interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation.
• Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Secretary-General, Senior Advisers, Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General.
• Designs political and peacekeeping initiatives; advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new operations.
• Leads and directs the work of a 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 programmes.
• Acts as coordinator for complex coordination and support missions.
• Manages, coordinates, organizes, and supervises research on a variety of political issues in North Africa.
• Represents the division at round tables, seminars, and conferences.
• Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, queries from other offices and external parties, including related to political, civilian, military, and humanitarian issues.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.
• Experience in providing support to UN peace operations in the areas of political affairs in or on Africa or the Middle East is required.
• Experience in peace and security matters in North Africa or the Middle East is required.
• Experience working in a field operation of the United Nations common system (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN regional commissions, agencies, funds, and programmes) or similar international organization or nongovernmental organization in Africa or the Middle East is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Either Arabic or French is desirable at UN Level II for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Skills

• Political Affairs
• International Relations
• Conflict Resolution
• Disarmament
• Security Analysis
• Peace Support Operations
• Programme Management
• Strategic Planning
• Briefing Note Preparation
• Team Leadership
• Field Operations Experience
• Peace and Security Expertise
• Regional Expertise in North Africa
• Regional Expertise in Middle East
• Experience with peacekeeping operations
• International Law
• Development Management

Languages

English, Arabic, French