Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Middle East Team of the Middle East Division (MED), Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The incumbent reports to the Director through the Deputy Director of the Middle East Division. Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director and Deputy Director of MED, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will serve as the Middle East Team Leader and will be responsible for the following duties:
• Formulates policy advice and recommendations and conducts research and analysis on peace and security issues related to the Middle East and the broader region directives.
• Plans and prepares the substantive and operational activities and practical actions relating to the work of the division/department, i.e., peace-making and peacebuilding related to the assigned geographic area.
• Serves as focal point for good offices and other political initiatives and activities undertaken by the Secretary-General, his envoys and the Department with regard to the Middle East; Supports UN engagement in the Middle East Quartet; Oversees the Department's efforts to backstop assigned special political and peacekeeping missions.
• Plans, coordinates and manages substantive programmes and project activities carried out with interdepartmental and/or interagency involvement and participation, other entities of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate, including through organizing and leading Integrated Task Forces (ITFs); Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues.
• Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the Secretary-General, Senior Advisers, Under-Secretary-General/Assistant Secretary-General.
• Designs peacekeeping initiatives; advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new operations.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Middle East Team maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data and that all outputs produced by the team meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Provides substantive inputs in the preparation for the General Assembly, ECOSOC (ACABQ - Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions) and the Security Council and their subsidiary bodies, and special conferences and summits, as appropriate.
• Provides continuous guidance and advice to the Presidents and Chairs as well as other elected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, conduct of business including interpretation of the rules of procedure.
• Leads and directs a work team and Co-ordinates the work carried out by the team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff (PAS); provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others; participates in recruitment, interviewing and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs with due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
• Interacts with staff within MED and other DPPA-DPO regional divisions; counterparts in DPPA, DPO, DOS, DSS, DGI, OHCHR, OCHA, ODA, and other departments as necessary; staff in the office of the Secretary-General; Heads of Missions and senior officials in delegations, Special Envoys and representatives of governments, Resident Coordinators / Resident Representatives, Senior Officials of UN AFPs and international financial institutions and regional organizations; members of the academic community, institutes and foundations. Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Ability to evaluate international political situations in area of assignment. Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system. 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.

• 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.

• PLANNING & 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.

• 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.

• Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area, of which at least five years in political analysis on issues related to the Middle East is required.

Experience in a United Nations field mission or similar setting is desirable.

Experience with regard to the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) in the context of United Nations (or similar international organization) mandates and activities, is required.

Experience in backstopping field operations from Headquarters with respect to substantive political guidance, budgetary and other operational matters is required. Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (oral and written) is required; and knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. Assessment

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

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

United Nations Considerations

According 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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 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.

This vacancy is archived.

Recommended for you