Political Affairs Officer, P-3

UN DPPA-DPO - United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs-Department of Peace Operations

New York, United States

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located within the United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC), which is a multi-party entity reporting to the USG for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), through the Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit (EOSG/SPMU) and, on peacekeeping matters, with oversight from the USG for Peace Operations, through the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS). The UNOCC also receives strategic oversight from a Client Board of principals from each of the client entities. The UNOCC provides global situational awareness, crisis and risk management, and facilitates cross-pillar analysis and decision-making in the UN. The Centre is operationally positioned under the ODCSS between the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations. The Political Affairs Officer will report to the Coordinators of the UNOCC Watch Room.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will report to the Coordinators of the UNOCC Watch Room and be responsible for the following duties:

Gathers, selects and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, and monitors national and regional level political developments for the formulation of advice to seniors and to field missions and/or UN agencies active on the ground.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues in relevant countries and regions and makes linkages with relevant issues for UNOCC units and work.
Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in peacekeeping operations, and in countries in crisis, including through data analysis; prepares and provides inputs on these issues to senior officials, colleagues in field missions and to actors in other parts of the Secretariat.
Provides detailed support on crisis management procedures to senior leadership of lead department in crisis management activations.
Provides technical and substantive back up in the implementation of mandates of the UNOCC.
Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters.
Monitors actions taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, government and non-governmental organizations.
Selects, classifies and stores in computerised databases information relating to crisis situations and potential disputes and conflicts globally.
Participates in fact-finding missions to relevant countries.
Prepares background material for meetings of the SG/DSG/USG with officials from relevant countries or for internal policy discussions.
Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
Performs other related duties, as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic area. 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.
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.
CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

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

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required;
At least two years of experience at the international level, two years in a field setting, and at least one year in a role directly supporting crisis management procedures (field or Headquarters) is required;
Experience in information gathering, analysis and reporting is desirable;
At least one year of experience working with data analytics is desirable.