Political Affairs Officer, P-4

UNODA - United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs

Geneva, Switzerland

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Geneva Branch of the Office for Disarmament Affairs. The position reports to the Senior Political Affairs Officer. The Branch provides substantive, secretariat, organizational and administrative support to the Conference on Disarmament, review conferences and other meetings of States parties to multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation agreements and to treaty-making conferences, expert groups and other disarmament meetings under the responsibility of the Branch.

Responsibilities

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

Participates in the organization and supervision of Secretariat services required by the Conference on Disarmament, the General Assembly and its subsidiary organs, States Parties to disarmament treaties and instruments and to related bodies;
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 Service, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget;
Provides up-to-date information to senior officials regarding substantive political matters and makes recommendations on actions to take;
Analyses political and related events within assigned area with a view to provide advice to the Chief of Service;
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;
Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high profile matters of concern to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies; 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;
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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
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;
PLANNING & 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;
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;
JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related area. 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required;
A minimum of five years in providing secretariat support to intergovernmental processes is required;
Experience in providing support to intergovernmental processes in the field of disarmament is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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