SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan (OPESG-SUDAN) lead good offices and political engagement with Sudanese, regional and international stakeholders to enhance efforts to end the Sudan conflict and relaunch a credible political process, aiming for greater coherence, coordination and integration of the various mediation initiatives. This position is located in the Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General (PESG) for Sudan, based in Addis Ababa. The Senior Political Affairs Officer will report to the Principal Political Affairs Officer/Head of Office. ResponsibilitiesWithin the limits of delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties: • Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the Office, i.e., political affairs, conflict prevention and resolution, mediation, support to political transition, civil society support; 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. • Prepares briefing notes, talking points and other written material for the PESG and other senior staff. Provides continuous guidance and advice to the leadership. Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and other relevant counterparts and interlocutors, and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. • Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research and analysis on a variety of political issues related to Sudan and the good offices work of the PESG. Designs conflict resolution, conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and sustaining peace initiatives; advises on and participates in the negotiations to establish operations and activities, and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new operations and activities. Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring the Office's and/or inter-agency involvement and participation, and offers political guidance and advice. Represents the Office at round tables, seminars and conferences. • Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Section/Division or mission; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and unit. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs other related duties as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Thorough knowledge and understanding of the UN's role in preventive diplomacy, good offices, mediation and conflict resolution; Ability to analyze political situations and provide strategic advice on a broad range of political issues to senior officials; Proven strong understanding of political and security dynamics in Sudan and the region; Ability to build effective relations with key national level stakeholders and members of the international community; Ability to draft quickly and well, edit and produce cogent analysis of political, social, and economic events and to maintain a dynamic reporting effort; The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and 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. 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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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. Leadership: 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten 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 four years of field experience in political affairs in a UN peace operation or a similar international organization is required. At least three years of experience directly supporting senior officials in their good offices or mediation efforts as part of a political or peace process is required. A minimum of five years of experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Experience managing a team in a regional or global context is required. Experience working in Africa is required. Experience working on Sudan, including in-country experience is required. A minimum of five years of experience advising senior officials is desirable. Experience dealing with UN budgetary procedures and other administrative rules and regulations or similar international organizations is required. Experience working on peace and security issues in the Horn of Africa and experience in data analytics or related areas are desirable LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).