Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is in the Electoral Assistance Division in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) at the UN Headquarters in New York. Under the overall supervision of the Director and the Deputy Director, the incumbent reports to the co-Team Leaders of Cluster 1 (Country Support). ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Political/Electoral Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Participates in the discussion and formulation of political and technical strategies in the electoral field. • Reviews and monitors political developments and electoral activities in assigned countries; assesses trends which might affect the political situation and the organisation of electoral processes; recommends possible actions by United Nations. • Analyses political developments and electoral activities in assigned countries with a view to provide early warning advice to the Deputy Director and the Director.. • Prepares analytical reports on electoral matters, drafts notes, background papers, talking points and other correspondence for senior UN officials as required. • Meets regularly with counterparts in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, DPO, UNDP, and other departments, agencies and programmes of the UN System to coordinate engagement in the area of elections in countries under his/her responsibility. • Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive electoral/political matters and makes recommendations on actions to take. • Participates in policy discussions regarding electoral matters and democratisation. • Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters with regards to electoral operations; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations. • Oversees electoral projects being implemented in countries under his/her responsibility. • Briefs donors and other interested parties on UN electoral support and assist in resource mobilization as needed. • Prepares briefing notes/talking points for the SG and other Senior UN officials as needed. • Carries out, in consultation with supervisors, administrative functions relating to the staffing, planning and budget of an electoral operation. • Leads or deputizes needs assessment missions to evaluate Government requests for electoral assistance, project formulation missions and/or expert advisory missions to UN operations and field offices. • Collects and analyses data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other related duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Counterparts in peacekeeping operations and/or DDA and DPPA, UNDP, DPO, DPI, OCHA, UNOPS, UNV Special Envoys and Representatives of the Secretary-General Resident Coordinators of UN system UN specialized agencies Representatives of non-governmental organisations, regional intergovernmental organisations, governments and international/regional organizations. Representatives of Governments/ Permanent Missions to the UN Electoral management bodies Academic community, institutes and foundations as required. Results Expected: Provides senior officials with well-analysed, concise information and recommendations as to appropriate action to be taken in the electoral field; demonstrates ability to solve electoral problems. Leads or deputizes various electoral missions. Oversees electoral activities being carried out in the field by the UN System. Competencies• Professionalism: Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on electoral and political issues and propose solutions to political problems in specific areas or countries. Field expertise and technical understanding of electoral operations. Ability to relate various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. 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 all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international relations, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in electoral assistance, including in advising an electoral management body, is required. A minimum of four years of comparative experience in supervising, implementing, supporting or advising on electoral processes in multiple countries is required. Experience in electoral assistance in a field operation of the United Nations Common System (inclusive of peacekeeping, special political missions and UN regional commissions, agencies, funds and programmes) or a similar international organization is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeStaff 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. 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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31st October 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply:Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. 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