POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located within the Syria Team in the Middle East Division (MED), Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) and is based at Headquarters in New York. The Political Affairs Officer reports to the Team Leader/Senior Political Affairs Officer under the overall supervision of the Director and Deputy Director of the Division. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: -Reviews and monitors activities in Syria and the region; assess trends and events that may affect UN engagement in Syria; recommends solutions/possible action by the United Nations. -Analyses political developments related to Syria and the region with a view to provide early warning advice to ASG/USG or Head of Mission and advancing mandated objectives. -Prepares analytical reports and papers on sensitive and high-profile matters of concern to the General Assembly, Security Council, or other bodies; drafts briefing notes, background and options papers, talking points, speeches, code cables, inputs for the reports of the Secretary-General and other correspondence for senior officials. -Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of up-to-date information on political issues, in particular as they affect the countries and thematic mandates for which the staff member is responsible. -Provides up-to-date information on national and regional level political developments and provides advice to senior officials regarding substantive political matters related to Syria and makes recommendations on actions to take. -Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, including Syria IATF, UNCT-Syria and OSE-Syria, other international organisations and governments, civil society actors, academic and research institutions, and other partners on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations. -Participates in and supports preparations for official meetings and visits, conferences, seminars and academic fora related to Syria. Prepares written summaries of meetings/visits and assists with follow-up activities, as appropriate. -Carries out in consultation with the Team Leader administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget. -Performs other tasks as required. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: 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. 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. EducationAdvanced 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 two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, research, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. Experience in backstopping a special political mission from Headquarters is required. Experience in drafting politically sensitive documents and reports is required. Experience in multilateral negotiations and working with member states in the context of UN intergovernmental processes, including in the General Assembly and Security Council, is required. A minimum of three years of experience working on issues related to the Middle East region, including developing policy recommendations is required. Experience on issues related to Syria is desirable. Experience in UN Coordination and post-conflict peacebuilding, recovery, and transition planning is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special NoticeStaff 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 position advertised is funded through Extra-budgetary funds. Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings. 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. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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 FeeTHE 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.