Org. Setting and ReportingThe post is located in the Mediation Support Unit (MSU), within the Policy and Mediation Division (PMD), in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (PMD/DPPA). MSU serves as a system-wide resource that assists the mediation and dialogue initiatives of the UN and provides technical and operational support of mediation and dialogue processes; capacity-building; and mediation guidance, lessons learned and comparative analysis. The Political Affairs Officer will report to the Chief and to the Team Leader of the Mediation Support Unit (MSU). ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Political Affairs Officers.) • Serves as Coordinator of DPPA's Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisors, a key resource to ensure the UN is prepared to provide operational support to the mediation, preventive diplomacy and good offices efforts of the United Nations, Member States and regional and sub-regional organizations. • Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political and mediation-related issues, in general, and in particular as they affect the countries and thematic mandates for Latin America and the Caribbean region. • Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provides inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in missions and elsewhere in the Secretariat. • Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to field mission/UN agencies active on the ground in Latin America and the Caribbean. • Provides technical and substantive back up in the implementation of mandates of MSU. • Maintains contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters. • Monitors mediation and dialogue initiatives taken by intergovernmental groups, UN organisations, government and non-governmental organizations. • Selects, classifies and stores in computerised databases information relating to potential disputes, conflicts and mediation and dialogue processes involving assigned countries or region and contributes to lessons learnt studies and the development of guidance and training material on mediation issues. • Participates in fact-finding and other missions to countries within Latin America and the Caribbean region. • Participates in provision of secretariat services to Security Council, General Assembly, subsidiary organizations, negotiating bodies, conferences, meetings, and /or special missions. • Prepares meetings of the SG/DSG/USG with officials from countries under the Organization's purview. • Collects and analyzes 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. Competencies• Professionalism: Ability to identify and analyze political, ethnic, racial, social and economic problems that cause civil unrest in a country or geographic 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. 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) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required. A minimum of one year of field experience working in a conflict or post-conflict context is required. Experience in providing mediation support and/or advice to senior leadership and senior representatives is required, preferably in Latin America and the Caribbean. Experience in coordinating and backstopping a roster or pool of experts related to international peace and security is required. 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).