Back SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Americas Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The Senior Political Affairs Officer will report to the Director of the Americas Division and will serve as team leader for South America. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• 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 the countries under the team's responsibility and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the team and the division; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.

• Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the division on conflict prevention and resolution; 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, analyses and reports, in English and in Spanish, for the Secretary-General, Senior Advisers, Under-Secretary-Generals, Assistant Secretary-General and other UN principals.
• 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.
• Monitors and assesses political developments in an assigned region and individual countries, and analyses the policies of other international, regional and/or sub-regional organizations to provide the Secretary-General and senior UN officials with early warning and policy options for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Most of the countries of responsibility are Spanish-speaking countries.
• Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political issues in a region and or country or major conflict.
• Leads and directs a work 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 programs.
• Represents division at round tables, seminars and conferences.
• Responds to/prepares responses, in English and in Spanish, to comments, statements, queries of parties.
• Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the team and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the division; coordinates and oversees the work of colleagues and team.
• Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern. In most cases interaction with national authorities and partners is in Spanish.
• Performs other related duties as required.

CompetenciesProfessionalism:

Demonstrates expert-level competence and mastery of subject matter, including deep knowledge of the Americas region and its political, peace, and security dynamics. Produces high-quality reports and papers on complex substantive issues, and reviews and edits the work of others to ensure divisional standards are met. Analyzes and interprets data to support senior-level decision-making and translates findings into clear, actionable recommendations for management. Coordinates with Member State missions and delegations on substantive and programmatic issues relevant to the mandate of the Division. Takes responsibility for incorporating a gender perspective into substantive work and is committed to achieving gender balance and equal participation in all areas of work. Contributes to the realization of DPPA's and DPO's commitments under Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). Shows pride in work and achievements; 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 and 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; 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:

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. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master's or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in political science, international relations or related field or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 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. Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Field experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean is required. Experience working with legislative bodies, Member States, and delegations in the context of an international organisation is required. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Spanish are required. 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). 📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐 ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!