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Job Opening

Posting Title:

POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title:

POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Department/ Office:

Office for Disarmament Affairs

Duty Station:

GENEVA

Posting Period:

27 January 2015-25 February 2015

Job Opening number:

14-POL-ODA-39063-R-GENEVA (X)

Staffing Exercise ID:

N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) in the Conference on Disarmament and Conference Support Branch, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Chief, BWC ISU.

The BWC ISU forms the core of the Secretariat of BWC meetings; maintains and develops the treaty’s website; receives and distributes information submitted by States parties annually under the system of Confidence- Building Measures (CBMs); collates details of national measures to implement all aspects of the Convention; acts as a clearing house for assistance; interacts with relevant international organizations, scientific and academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations; and attends relevant meetings and events. The ISU assists the Chair of BWC meetings in promoting universality of the Convention; conducts outreach; maintains details of progress towards universality and reports on progress to States parties. For more information, please refer to http://www.unog.ch/bwc

Responsibilities

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Provide substantive and administrative support, political and technical advice, to the Chief of Unit and the Chairman and Vice-chairs of meetings of the Biological Weapons Convention, in relation to the implementation of decisions of the Review Conferences. Serves as Deputy to the Chief of Unit.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provides advice and direction related to biological weapons disarmament and non-proliferation issues; assesses trends related to advancements of science and technology which might affect the Convention. Advises and assists in the formulation and implementation of policies and directives.

2. Prepares analytical reports and papers on political, legal and technical matters relevant to the Biological Weapons Convention; drafts notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for the Office-holders of the Biological Weapons Convention.

3. Acts as focal point for collection and analyses of information related to biological weapons issues, including those related to export controls and the regulation of dual-use goods. Oversees the ISU's online activities and supervises the operation and maintenance of the Unit's archives and databases.

4. Meets regularly with entities as well as operational teams from relevant UN agencies, other International Organizations, national officials as well as technical experts, export and border control officials and relevant regulators. Briefs representatives of those entities as well as governments and provides, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations.

5. Actively participates in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to the Convention and its implementation. Arranges and participates in missions, workshops related to the mandate of the Unit. Provides reports and information to senior officials.

6. Provides up-to-date information and analytical summaries to the Chief of Unit, the Chair, Vice Chairs and Presidents on substantive political matters and makes recommendations on actions to take.

7. Participates in the organization and supervision of secretariat services required for the Biological Weapons Convention meetings of the States Parties.

8. Carries out, in consultation with the Chief of the ISU, administrative functions relating to the development of finance and budget sections on budget planning as well as on the effective and efficient utilization of the financial resources of the Unit. Provides input to the evaluation of the other staff members of the Unit and interns.

9. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief of Unit.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM
Ability to understand issues related to international security, disarmament and non-proliferation as they relate, in particular, to biological weapons. In-depth knowledge of multilateral processes and treaty implementation. Proven analytical skills to assess the implications of developments with regard to relevant topics, especially in the biological 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; shows commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, international law, life sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with at least twp additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in dealing with international security and/or international policy issues related to disarmament, non-proliferation or related area is required. Experience in project management and planning is required. Experience in an international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is an asset.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is an extra-budgetary post authorised by decision of the Seventh Review Conference of the BWC. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.

Staff 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.

United Nations Considerations

Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

No Fee

THE 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.