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Job Opening
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Posting Title: |
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Senior Political Affairs Officer, P5
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Job Code Title: |
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SENIOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
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Department/ Office: |
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OSESG-SAHEL
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Duty Station: |
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DAKAR
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Posting Period: |
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18 February 2015-19 March 2015
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Job Opening number: |
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15-POL-OSESG-SAHEL-40654-R-DAKAR (M)
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Staffing Exercise ID: |
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N/A
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United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
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Org. Setting and Reporting
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This position is with the political affairs team of the Office of the Special Envoy for the Sahel (OSES) in Dakar. The incumbent will report to the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Sahel.
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Responsibilities
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Within delegated authority, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: -Political Analysis and Advice- Liaise directly with Senior Government Officials from the broader Sahel region, including North, West and Central African countries, on matters pertaining to the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. Analyse and monitor political developments, trends and emerging issues in the broader Sahel region. Assess implications and make recommendations to the Special Envoy for the Sahel on the impact of developments in the region on the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. Develop policy guidance documents and facilitate the mainstreaming of cross cutting issues for women, youth and civil society organisations’ participation in the implementation of the Sahel Strategy. Develop and participate in capacity building initiatives to enhance the application of a regional approach to addressing challenges in the Sahel region. Strategic advice on programmes implementations -Reporting and Information Management- Supervise the preparation of summary and analytical reports for the attention of the Special Envoy for the Sahel, including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers and code cables. Lead efforts to coordinate and consolidate inputs for the preparation of reports of the Secretary- General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies. Supervise the preparation of contextual information materials, such as background notes, political profiles and databases of relevance to the Sahel. Monitor and report progress on the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. Manage information to ensure its accessibility and utility. - Planning, Coordination and Facilitation- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts in the region and at Headquarters, Government representatives, military and law enforcement actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and regional partners. Supervise preparations for official meetings, events and visits, including the provision of Secretariat services and the preparation of talking points, speeches, and other relevant materials. Participate in and/or lead United Nations missions on issues related to the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. Plan and facilitate high level advocacy by the Special Envoy and engage with members states to seek commitments. - Management/Administration- Manage the work of the OSES Political Affairs Team. Support planning and budgetary processes for current and future field operations. Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff. Assist with the selection of new staff. Perform other relevant duties as required.
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Competencies
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Professionalism: Has direct experience liaising with Senior Government Officials from the Sahel, in-depth knowledge and understanding of political issues in the region and an ability to evaluate regional political situations. In-depth knowledge of bilateral and multilateral initiatives and interests in the Sahel region; Experience in analysing and conveying complex issues related to the socio-economic, political, humanitarian and security challenges that the Sahel region is facing to senior officials and representatives of Member States; Ability to work collaboratively with UN system-wide entities and manage interagency consultation processes; Thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures of the United Nations in conflict prevention and resolution. Negotiating skills. 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 an 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 decision may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
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; Consider positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a curse 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.
Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
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Education
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Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social sciences, law, public administration, development studies or a related field. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
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Work Experience
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A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, programme management, civil affairs, peacebuilding and stabilization activities or related field is required. Experience liaising with the humanitarian and development community within the United Nations system is required. Extensive experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN regional commissions, agencies, funds, and programmes) - or similar international, regional or sub-regional organization is required. Experience liaising directly with Senior Government Officials in the region is required. Experience in planning and monitoring the implementation of regional initiatives for development and cooperation is desirable.
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Languages
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English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
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Assessment
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Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
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Special Notice
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Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the 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.
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United Nations Considerations
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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.
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No Fee
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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.
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